So i finally got my 1996 with an 87 5.0 running and cannot figure this overheating issue out. I got the stock 3.8 radiator in it its single row aluminum but i don't think it would cause this bad of overheating. I got the electric fan running all the time too. As soon as i go to drive it within 5-10 minutes it overheats to 230 then it fluctuates between 210 and 230 for a while. I know it shouldn't be running that hot in such a short time. I got a mechanical gauge for it so thats accurate and I aslo replaced the thermostate and i can see water run through the radiator when it gets that hot. Any help will be appreciated.
5.0 overheating can't figure it out
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Hurk
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So i finally got my 1996 with an 87 5.0 running and cannot figure this overheating issue out. I got the stock 3.8 radiator in it its single row aluminum but i don't think it would cause this bad of overheating. I got the electric fan running all the time too. As soon as i go to drive it within 5-10 minutes it overheats to 230 then it fluctuates between 210 and 230 for a while. I know it shouldn't be running that hot in such a short time. I got a mechanical gauge for it so thats accurate and I aslo replaced the thermostate and i can see water run through the radiator when it gets that hot. Any help will be appreciated.
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something eazy like thermostate upside down? what thermosate did you put in it should be a 180 or 190 smaller radiator less water heats up faster
i am pretty sure i put in the thermostat the right way but it is a 190. I already tried burping it and stuff like that i am just hoping its not a head gasket but I put in new ones when i put in the engine.
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Might be the radiator and at what temp does the fan turn on? Is it the V6 fan?
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Well that is a small radiator and not sure if that fan pulls enough air.......not completely sure.
well you need to eliminate a few things.
First, are you going by the stock gauge? if yes, use an infrared thermometer and point it at the thermostat housing to make sure the gauge is reading correctly and you are infact overheating
If you dont have an infrared thermometer, Get one! they are invaluable
OEM/Non-Contact infrared thermometer (25245) | Thermometer | AutoZone.com
second, do you have white smoke(steam) coming from the exhaust? is there coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant, no? okay
is there exhaust getting into the cooling system?
autozone has a tool you can rent called a sniffer test and it uses a blue fluid that turns yellow when you draw exhaust through it.
if you dont have any of those problems then that rules out the head gaskets.
Third, the thermostat. it takes 15 minutes and some permatex water pump gasket maker to check to make sure its in right.
To check to see if its working properly, throw it in a pot of water on the stove. use your infrared thermometer to check the water temp and at 190* it should open fully.
Now that you've eliminated three possibilities
if it isnt any of the above and your cooling system has been properly maintained. My guess would be the stock 3.8 radiator isnt up to the task of keeping the 5.0 cool, and you should upgrade the radiator.
First, are you going by the stock gauge? if yes, use an infrared thermometer and point it at the thermostat housing to make sure the gauge is reading correctly and you are infact overheating
If you dont have an infrared thermometer, Get one! they are invaluable
OEM/Non-Contact infrared thermometer (25245) | Thermometer | AutoZone.com
second, do you have white smoke(steam) coming from the exhaust? is there coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant, no? okay
is there exhaust getting into the cooling system?
autozone has a tool you can rent called a sniffer test and it uses a blue fluid that turns yellow when you draw exhaust through it.
if you dont have any of those problems then that rules out the head gaskets.
Third, the thermostat. it takes 15 minutes and some permatex water pump gasket maker to check to make sure its in right.
To check to see if its working properly, throw it in a pot of water on the stove. use your infrared thermometer to check the water temp and at 190* it should open fully.
Now that you've eliminated three possibilities
if it isnt any of the above and your cooling system has been properly maintained. My guess would be the stock 3.8 radiator isnt up to the task of keeping the 5.0 cool, and you should upgrade the radiator.
thanks for the info!! but no there isnt any white smoke or water in the oil and I will have to check out that sniffer but there doesn't seem to be exhaust getting into the cooling system. And the gauge I am going off of is a equus mechanical water temperature gauge so its not the junk stock one. I will have to make sure of the thermostats i heard of many of them not working properly but thanks for the reply i will have to try that stuff out.
No problem! I still wouldnt 100% trust that temperature gauge till i checked with a good thermometer. Even the "good stuff" nowadays is made in foreign countries.
I hope you get it figured out, and if you do, be sure to let us know!
they dont rent them but they are very much worth the $30. and yes, there is a trigger and a little laser dot and you just point and pull the trigger. so easy a caveman could do it
So i think i found the problem. I rented a cooling system pressure tester and i found my system could hardly hold any pressure at all. It turns out the radiator is leaking pretty bad and I already got a new one with some better fans on the way. Hopefully this will be it thanks for the help!
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Yeaaaaaa.....:celebration:
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that would do it
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