Hey, have a 98 F150 4.6l. Is overheating often, but not all the time. Started by acting like the thermostat wasn't opening. Changed the thermostat, and same problem occurred. After it happens, heats to red line, I can pull over, open the radiator cap, get back in, start it and drive for 50 to ten miles before all of the sudden the temp starts to rise again. Brought it in hoping it was a blockage problem and had the cooling system flushed, would have done it my self but it's 10 below zero outside. Anyways, problem is still occuring. Sometimes I can drive 15, 20 miles, and never have a problem, other times i can drive 2 miles and it's already red lining. Talked to a mech today who said it could be my head gasket and estimated 1500 dollars for repair. before i go ahead with that, would like some more insight on if that is probably the probelm. Thanks for the help...

 

sure its not gauge seems wierd it would overheat when its 10 below

 

planemech17,

I would have to go along with "aetcmh" I would check into the guage sender or guage itself

I have an after market guage (they are very inexpensive) and when it's that cold outside here in Iowa I can drive many many miles before the temp ever gets close to staying at 195-200*

And with the way that it is jumping around it sure sounds electircal to me.

Gene