Over heating

MIKE W

MEMBER
FORD THUNDERBIRD

I have a 1992 thunderbird 3.8 v6
when I start it it will run cold and ping. Then after a few minutes the gauge will go to hot and the return to normal. It will ping until it returns to normal.
after this it runs fine for ever. When I shut it off and restart it goes through the same thing and then will run normal.
I replaced the thermostat but that didnt help. Any ideals?

5 Replies

GODBEAR839

MECHANIC
77 POSTS

Sounds like the thermostat is sticking. Pull it out and boil it in an old pot (careful not to use a good one) then see what temperature it opens at. If that opens at the appropriate temp then you have some kind of blockage or air pocket in the system try flushing it out.

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 AT 7:57 AM

MIKE W

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3 POSTS

As I wrote I did replace the thermostat, same results

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 AT 10:21 AM

SC1 RACING

MECHANIC
117 POSTS

Sounds as though there is a timming/fuel problem.

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 AT 12:25 PM

MIKE W

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I thought it may be caused by the catalitic converter cloging up.

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 AT 12:59 PM

GODBEAR839

MECHANIC
77 POSTS

If the converter was clogging up it would either run till it stalls as the exhaust system "shut down" or it would get very hot (the converter) as you forced more exhaust into the converter and raises the pressure it would get hotter but I don't think that is the problem. You may have also gotten a "bad thermostat" I have had more than a few over the years that Is why I recommended checking it on the stove.