All,

I was pulling into work (after running an errand for work) in the 95 degree Texas heat and what do you know, my truck decides to overheat, almost instantly (gauge jumped, light came on). So I limp it into a parking spot and call roadside assistance for a tow (which by the way got there really quick). I WAS MAD. I has several colleagues in there that had just asked how I liked the Ford and I replied with "I have NEVER had a problem with it." They went on to ridicule their old Ford friends' trucks, "blah, blah blah."

Before I called for the tow though I popped the hood and looked for steam, there was no steam, the coolant level was fine, and even the air coming from the VENT was cool before I parked. It also seemed to still be running all 8 cylinders, but i don't know for sure.

Ford dealership says that the fan clutch went out. My questions to you guys:

What else do they need to check? I know that high temperatures can destroy an engine, but it didn't seem that high...

Should I change out the oil ASAP?

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks

Anthony

 

One thing on the fact that it "instantly jumped". That is due to the fact that the Ford temp guage (at least on my 99 Xpy) is an "idiot light" in disguise. It is not an actual analog gauge that shows you the real temp so you could see it increasing and be able to do something about it. If the temp is in OK range per Ford spec, it registers dead in the middle. It's not until you are actually overheating that it jumps and gives you the signal.

So you were likely operating at a high heat range much longer than just when you saw the light.

Cheap engineering by Ford in my opinion, have always hated that.

 

If I understand what you’re saying correctly:

You noticed that the truck was “maybe” overheating, so you go and call road side assistance, then you go right back to your truck to check and noticed that nothing is hot, no steam etc. Is that right?

If so, then it just may be a faulty gauge. If it was truly overheating then even if you came back to it 15 minutes after it would still be extremely hot and the air coming from the vent would have been very hot. I am thinking it didn’t overheat. Did it smell hot from overheating? It should have and it is a distinctive smell where you know it has overheated. If it didn’t have that smell then maybe you’re ok.

If it did in fact overheat I would highly recommend changing the oil, and maybe coolant just to be on the safe side.

 

It prolly did overheat just a bit but not enough to boil over and it sounds like you were really close to work when the light came on. The newer Triton engines are designed to still operate in a overheat condition for a short distance without causing harm.

Change the oil and coolant just to be safe and you also might want to have the dealer check the temp sender as well.

As for it being a Ford, All non-electric fan vehicles have fan clutches that can go bad at anytime. I also believe that the fan clutch is not made by Ford.

Make sure the dealer gives you the old fan clutch.

 

Hey all-

it does seem like it is an idiot light in my 2002 FX4, it jumped suddenly. but at the same time, just 10 seconds before I was going 70 on the highway, which hopefully kept the engine kinda cool??? And yep, I was less than 200 yards from the parking space when I saw the gauge jump and the light turn on. So hopefully no real damage was done. Good to know that it is a redundant idiot light in disguise though. Since it still seemed to have all power, I guessed it was still running on all 8 cylinders instead of the venting mode with 4. I dunno, I hope that I am lucky, I really like my S-Crew.

No it didn't smell at all, and no steam, that is why at first I thought it was a bad temperature gauge. It still possibly is, and I will definitely get the dealer to give me the bad fan clutch just for proof that they did something.

I don't know but I LOVE my Ford and wanted your opinions on possible damage that could have occurred. So from the sound of things, I should change the oil and coolant and since it didn't smell too bad or smoke or steam, probably no damage occurred?? Thank y'all for your advice and opinions. This site is GREAT.

I already told my wife that if the beast breaks down two more times before the '04s are official it is gone for a cheaper, but newer, one (regular cab this time). 2 more lives and only 37,000 miles on the odo, mostly 'cause I like the '04s.

Anthony
'02 S-Crew Lariat FX4
Line-X Bed Liner
Flowmaster Exhaust
K&N Filter
Westin Nerf Bars
Manik SS Grill Gaurd
PIAA fog lights

 

The temp gage an idiot light ???? I know the oil pres. works like that but I watch my temp gage move slowly at warm up in the morning and move slightly when towing a heavy load uphill. A sudden jump would seem to indicate a faulty sensor.

JMHO

 

All-

I just got hold of Ford, they are now not sure what is causing the over heating. They said that they have replaced the fan, fan clutch, water pump, hoses, and still it "definitely" overheats as soon as you start her up.

The next thing that they are going to replace is the radiator. But the mechanic at the dealer said that he sees nothing wrong with the radiator. I don't know what it could be, but I miss my truck, they put me in a Taurus and it just ain't the same. Any ideas? Thank God for extended warranties. I guess it could be the oil, but Ford did my last oil change so they are going to have to bite the big one there.



Anthony

 

Sounds like some type of clog, mayve its clogging in the raditior, or possible the thermostat is not operating correctly.

 

I would really begin to wonder what is going on with those mechanics. Starting with a cold engine and some common diagnostic equipment ( I personally have Auto Tap running on my laptop), it shouldn't be too difficult to figure this out. I would be monitoring engine coolant temp. Coolant temp will continue to rise until the mid 190's when thermostat 'should' open. Obviously the upper radiator hose should immediately get hot, then the radiator will get hot. You can check that all by hand (believe me you can tell if 190 degree coolant is flowing through the radiator.

Something seems a little fishy here. If you were doing highway speeds, then the 'ram air effect' (air just naturally moving thru the radiator at highway speeds) should have been cooling your engine just fine even if your fan had been stolen by an envious Chevy truck owner.

Besides, a mechanic should be able to see whether or not your fan is turning.

I would be thinking real hard about thermostat or water pump. I know you said pump was replaced. My buddy from work just replaced his alternator and the 'new' one also didn't work. The second 'new' one worked just fine. This may have happened to you also.

When you get done scrap that fan for some decent Derale cooling fans -- +15 hp and +1 mpg and you know when they are running.


EB

 

Well I just got off the phone with Ford, a week after taking it in, and they said that they replaced the PCM and they think it is fixed. They are going to "fill it up with gas" and take it for a drive to see if it is fixed for sure. I don't know how the PCM could cause overheating while the engine was running fine, but I will be glad to have my truck back. I guess they burned a full tank of gas testing the thing because it was full when I dropped it off. I'm still kinda worried about them overheating it so many times to test different things they thought would fix it. Oh well, I will keep y'all posted...
Anthony

 

Consider yourself lucky. I had an 89 Dodge Ramcharger, the clutch FROZE and threw one of four metal fan blades thru the hood of the truck... While on vacation, 900 miles from home.

I've still got that fan blade to this day.