Hey guys,

I have a 2000 5.4 with 190,000 that I just replaced the transmission in. Went on a camping trip this last weekend and it started running hot. Mostly just uphill, and then cool down to normal operating temps on flats. Got to the campground and changed the thermostat Sat. Took off for home Sunday afternoon and it did it again. My dad thinks something in the radiator is obstructing the flow of the coolant. I'm curious if anybody has dealt with this problem and what they did to fix it. I'm thinking of a coolant flush, and if that doesn't take care of it, checking the water pump.

I should mention that I was pulling a 19' camper. And it doesn't overheat if I'm not pulling anything.

I will say this, I have been reading this forum and have used the information on here quite a bit already. Got the COP and plugs from Global on Ebay and they are working good.

Thanks, Erin

 

if it was the water pump it would be overheating all the time. try a coolant flush. a complete flush, block and all.

 

All right, so that takes the water pump out of the picture. I'll try a coolant flush, hopefully this week sometime and see if that works. Thanks

 

You can also have a look at the fan clutch. They are designed to lock the fan to the drive at a temp that's a little above normal. When it cuts in on my wife's Durango during towing it sounds like a big whooshand then major air rushing. If that never happens when yours goes hot, it may be malfunctioning.
To check just turn off the engine while watching the fan. If it turns more than 2 revolutions after the engine stops it is suspect. However the flush is still a great next step.

ps. I'm not a tech, but I've managed them for many years.

 

I'm pretty sure I heard the fan blow while I was driving the other day. But I will check it out to make sure. Thanks for the tip.

 

My 2001 is doing the same thing towing trailer with air on. Changed thermastat and antifreeze and still doing it just like above post. I checked fan today when I shut off truck at normal temp and fan kept turning. Is that normal or should clutch be locked up.

Thanks Mono

 

My 2001 5.4 is doing the exact same thing!!! Runs normal around town & starts to overheat as soon as I start to climb...pulling nothing!

So far I have changed the coolant & t-stat. Hope someone figures this out soon!

 

I would flush it , whens the last time it was flushed ? You should do it every other year. It might be just trapped air.

When you filled it after the thermostat repair , did you pull the top hose and wait for the water /antifreeze to start coming thru that way? That gets most the air out .

They won't get hot enough to warp the heads without going into limp mode (I think it's 315 degrees before that's initiated.

I flush mine every other year the same way - waiting for it to come out the top hose - then connecting the hose before I start losing coolant . That 's worked for me . I drain and flush the block as well, You have an allen recessed head bolt on both sides of the block - it's a good idea to pull those plugs and drain..

Do a search - "coolant flush," "Anti-Freeze," "Radiator flush" for example . You should find lots of info about the topic. It's been talked about allot in the past.

Good Luck.

 

When my trucks temp goes up all the way, my oil light comes on and if I shut it down and check under hood the part I don't understand is it's not spitting out any antifreeze on the ground. Is this whats going on with the other Fords?

Thanks, Mono

 

The oil light is coming on? That's not good and you need to find out what's going on. The pump may be acting up or dyeing out. The biggest problem I have seen tho is in vehicles that haven't been maintenanced very well , partially the oil being changed . That pickup screen will plug with sludge , but by then it's all over. Yours might be headin that way, that's the first thought that comes to mind..

IMHO I believe if you do not use the factory OEM Motorcraft filter w/anti drainback valve as it suggests on that sticker under the hood, you'll shorten the life of your motor.

If your unsure on how the vehicle was kept , I would check that out the pickup screen on the bottom of the motor...Other than that you can try flushing the radiator , flush the block and fill w/top hose off to bleed ALL the air - thro another thermostat in it to (make sure it's OEM) . Also make sure you have Motorcraft plugs in it..

Good luck