1988 Ford Bronco II Overheating - Engine

Question: I HAVE A '88' FORD BRONCO II WITH 177, 000 MILES. WHEN I ACCELERATE TO SPEEDS OF 55MPH OR GREATER AND MAINTAIN THAT SPEED THE ENGINE OVERHEATS, IT TAKES THE TEMPERATURE ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES TO REACH THE RED ZONE. WHEN I STOP TO LET IT COOL DOWN THE WATER/ANTIFREEZE FLOWS OUT OF THE RESEVOIR OVERFLOW TUBE. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR WHEN I WENT TO IRAQ.THIS STARTED ABOUT MAY OF THIS YEAR WHEN I RETURNED IT DID IT ONCE. IN JUNE I FLUSHED THE RADIATOR WITH A HOME KIT AND PUT NEW WATER & ANTIFREEZE IN IT. THE TRUCK THEN DID IT AGAIN DRIVING FROM FLORIDA TO GEORGIA IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR SO I PULLED INTO A REST STOP AND WAITED UNTIL THE WEATHER COOLED DOWN (NIGHT TIME) AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY IT WAS NOT SO BAD THEN CAUSE I COULD DRIVE ABOUT 65-70 MPH IT WOULD STILL RUN HOTTER THAN NORM BUT NOT OVERHEAT. NOW IT IS WORSE CAUSE IT OVERHEATS AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH WHEN MAINTAINED FOR AROUND 10-15 MINUTES AND IF THE SPEED INCREASES SO DOES THE TEMPERATURE. THE TRUCK HAD A NEW FAN CLUTCH PUT IN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003 AND I PUT NEW RADIATOR HOSES AND TOOK THE THERMOSTAT OUT IN THE SUMMER OF 2004. THE HEATER IS NOT HOOKED UP BECAUSE I NEED A HEATER CORE SO THE HEATER HOSE JUST LOOPS BACK INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. I KNOW IT NEEDS VVE COVER GASKETS FOR SURE. THE LAST WATER PUMP IT HAD PUT ON WAS ABOUT 8-10 YEARS AGO. THERE IS NO WATER IN MY OIL AND NO WHITE STEAM IN THE EXHAUST SO I DO NOT THINK IT IS THE HEAD GASKETS.

Here's How To Get Guaranteed Solutions In Minutes

Technican: Hello, Welcome home from Iraq. Thank God you are safe. I would first start by testing the radiator cap to see if it will hold pressure. If the system cannot pressurize properly the coolant will boil. Next I would replace the engine cooling thermostat. You might examine the old one to see if it has stuck partially open. Stuck means restricted coolant flow and results in overheating. It is cheap to just replace the thermostat and I seldom spend much time testing the old one. The thermostat is located in the housing where the upper radiator hose connects to the engine. I'd also look to see if the air can get through the radiator and a/c condensor so that heat can transfer. Any help?,

Owner: AS OF LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE TRUCK WITHOUT A THERMOSTAT. I WILL JUST PURCHASE A RADIATOR CAP SINCE THEY ARE INEXPSENSIVE. IF L THAT FAILS WHAT ARE SOME MORE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. THE RADIATOR IS NEW (2YEARS) AND IN GOOD CONDITION AND THE AC CONDENSOR HAS SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO THE HONEYCOMB PART.

Owner: WHICH THERMOSTAT SHOULD I USE? 160 DEGREE / 180 DEGREE / 192/195 OR THE 200 PLUS?

Technican: The 192/195 unless your ambient temperatures frequently get above 100 degrees. Then I would use the 180. Minor damage to the condensor fins will not be cause for concern here. Other possible solutions would be a professional cooling system flush using and machine with high pressure to flush the engine block but not the radiator. Finally, a new water pump could be considered but I doubt it is needed until the coolant free flow (circulation) can be assurred unimpaired. A 50/50 (water/coolant) ratio is needed in the cooling system. Too much coolant doesn't cool as well as 50/50 and too much water allows corrossion.

Here's How To Get Guaranteed Solutions In Minutes

Home

Ford Answers

Aerostar
Aspire
Bronco
Bronco II
Club Wagon
Contour
Country Squire
Crown Victoria
E 150
E 250
E 350
Econoline
Escort
Expedition
Explorer
F 100 Pick up
F 150 Pick up
F 250 Pick up
F 350 Pick up
Falcon
Festiva
Fiesta
Focus
Granada
LTD
Lightning Pick up
Mustang
Mustang Convertible
Mustang GT
Mustang Mach I
Mustang Notchback
Mustang Sedan
Probe
Ranger
Ranger Pick up
Sedan
Taurus
Tempo
Thunderbird
Touring
Windstar
ZX2
a_old

Home

template

1988 Ford Bronco II Overheating - Engine

More Bronco II Answers

Home

Ford Answers

Home