1994 Ford Explorer Block temperature

1994 FORD EXPLORER
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Engine Cooling problem
1994 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

When I purchased this Explorer it was 10 years old with only 50,000 miles. I took new hoses and 3 containers of pre-mixed coolant to a local mechanic to change out the hoses.
Over a year later, I started getting the "Check Engine" light come on so I checked the coolant level. It was as brown as a new bear - the mechanic had put in tap water and not the coolant. The water was absolutely filthy with rust..
I flushed the system 3 times with a purchased flushing agent and replaced with proper coolant.
The light takes longer to come on but still does. The temperature guage indicates normal. I'm afraid the hard water has left a film over the engine block and the heat is not being transferred to the coolant. How can I check the actual temperature of the metal - or what should the coolant temperature be when the engine is at operating temp? I just had the light come on, yet took the rad cap off without any problems.
Thanks
Nov 16, 2009 at 1:16 PM
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