Ford F150 cooling issue!

[bshaw]

Thought maybe some of you could help me out on this. I've got a 95 Ford F150 4.9L (straight six), and currently I'm having a problem with it getting close to overheating. The last couple of days I've noticed the temp gauge getting close to the red mark while sitting still in traffic. If I'm on the highway or moving the gauge goes back down. This morning on the way to work I also noticed that when I turned on the heat, I was getting cold air only.

I'm thinking that the whole problem is a busted thermostat, right or wrong? Does anyone have any suggestions on maybe something else being wrong? Let me know what you all think. Thanks ahead of time!!

 

[Matthew Currie]

Cold air from the heat is often a sign of dangerously low coolant level, so you'd better check that soon. Of course a bad thermostat could be causing the overheating that caused the loss of coolant, but usually that will cause you to overheat quickly and consistently if it's hanging shut, or just to run chronically cold if it's hanging open.

So I'd make sure first of all that there's plenty of coolant, and that there's no air in the system. Then run it and see if the system holds pressure. It could be as simple as a bad radiator cap. It could also be a bad radiator or a few other things, but look at the simple things first.

 

[bshaw]

Thanks for the help! I'm going to be checking some things today, but I noticed coming to work this morning the heat was working intermeintant. I'll keep ya posted on what I find here. Thanks again.

 

[bshaw]

Just to close the case I found the problem. Long story short, it was the top raditor hose. The clamp was loose and let radiator fluid leak from the thermostat housing down the front of the engine. I tighten the clamp up up and have had no more problems. Leak stopped, and I have heat again in the cab, plus the temp. does not go above O in NORMAL. Again, thanks for the help!