1997 Ford F-150 Hot engine cold radiator

FIXER UPPER

MEMBER
1997 FORD F-150
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
110,000 MILES

Fan Clutch appears to work. Replaced old thermostat with tested new thermostat. Heater does not get warm. AC does not work. Engine overheats when it is driven a short distance. The radiator resevoir and radiator does not get hot. Upper Radiator hose remains cold. When it is squeezed I get bubbles in the radiator. Goes to red zone quickley and gets turned off quickly. Within a min or 2 it unheats quickly. Tests to need #2 sensor. Engine light remains on.I have the contribution Transaction ID. I could not go back to Car2Pros because it was an unsecure link.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

EXPERT

Before getting too involved, double check the serpentine belt routing. On some engines it's possible to route the belt the wrong way around the water pump pulley causing it to spin backwards. This shouldn't apply, but in some cases, a plugged heater core will result in the thermostat not opening.

No engine will overheat in less than a few miles when started from cold. True overheating will be accompanied by steam / hot coolant in the overflow reservoir. If it appears to be overheating that quickly, suspect a leaking head gasket. Combustion gases can cause an air pocket by the thermostat. Thermostats will not open in response to hot air. They must be hit with hot liquid.

As a last resort, remove the thermostat, then watch for coolant flow through the radiator. You might be able to prop the thermostat open by just removing the upper hose from the thermostat housing.

Caradiodoc