Overheating engine, fan does not turn on?

Tiny
MUSTANGNIKKI4
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD MUSTANG
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,000 MILES
My car overheats after driving it about 5-9 miles. The fan does not turn on to cool the engine. No ticking sound or not burning smell but there is a smell, but I wouldn't call it burning.
Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 AT 3:50 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,355 POSTS
Hi,

Is the coolant clean and full? Does it overheat when you are driving at highway speed or is it when driving in town? If it happens at highway speed, the first thing I would do is replace the thermostat and flush the radiator. Here are two links that explain how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

You mentioned a smell. Does it have a sweet smell to it? That could indicate a coolant leak. Do me a favor. When the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and check if the coolant is low.

Also, I attached the directions below specific to your vehicle for replacing the thermostat. Do this at the same time you flush the radiator.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions. As far as the cooling fan, we will focus on that next.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 AT 8:18 PM

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