Overheating (Engines)

Because the engine is still running while in neutral. Your problem is probably your radiator or lack of antifreeze. Antifreeze serves as what it's name implies and as as a coolant. Additionally since the automobile is not moving forward the radiator is not receiving ventilation provided by the incoming air.

I do not have a Grand Marquis so my engine does not overheat! Fords and Ford products tend to overheat and always have! Let's check a few things. How long has it been since you changed the thermostat and the coolant? Those two things are the most likely culprits. What is the condition of the hoses? Have those been changed in the last several years? If you have changed the hoses, the thermostat, and the coolant, and it still overheats, then it is time to take it to a radiator shop and have the radiator rodded out.

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I have been driving Ford models for over 40 years and have never had an

engine overheat . Don't forget the basics , engine cooling system level

etcetera . Check for a fan clutch problem , a problem with the water pump

not circulating . Ford also states that if you exceed 60% antifreeze in the

distilled water / antifreeze mix that it could overheat in hot weather

I'm not a mechanic / technician but I can think of several things :

In no particular order :

- low engine coolant level , or no engine coolant because of a leak

- engine thermostat sticking closed

- restricted ( dirty ) radiator

- water pump not circulating the engine coolant because of an impeller or belt problem

- a problem with the engine cooling fan not running so air flows through the radiator

any body else have any ideas ?

yes...fisrst you need to check if the temp sensor is working. If this has an electric fan, check the relay and the fan motors.

or

when my 97 4.6 v8 was overheating, it was leaking coolant from the head gaskets.

The check gauges light should come on if your temperature gauge indicates that your engine is overheating - so that's no problem. The real question is probably 'why is your engine overheating?' Turn off the truck and let it cool down; then fill it with water. Watch for leaks especially around the water pump and radiator. If it holds water, start it up and let the cooling system build pressure and check your hoses and connections. If you don't have (or see) any obvious leaks anywhere, your radiator may need flushed (or replaced), your water pump replaced, your thermostat may be stuck, or you may be losing water through steam escaping from a leaky head gasket (this was my problem!). One other thing that could happen (this happened to me too) is that a seal on the bottom of your engine could be leaking coolant. That can get complicated if it's one that is blocked by the transmission case. Replacing the thermostat will take you 1/2 an hour tops and $10.00 worth of parts. That's a good place to start. If you've never wrenched on your truck yourself, the thermostat is a fairly easy job and a good 'confidence builder'.

Yes

Could be defective thermostat, bad fan clutch, insufficient fan shroud, plugged or inadequate radiator, or underperforming water pump.

I'm guessing it starts boiling over when you shut it off. it is normal for temperatures to rise when the water stops flowing through the engine, but sound like car is running too hot to begin with. i would check the coolant level when the engine is cold, if that's okay change your thermostat. if it's still running hot and boiling over your radiator is probably clogged and needs replacing. not too familiar with these but if it has electric and not a motor driven cooling fan check that it is operating. good luck

If the engine is overheating, it is most likely one of three things: 1. It could be that the coolant pump is not working 2. There may be a leak or obstruction somewhere in the radiator, heater core, engine coolant channels, or one of the various tubes connecting them 3. after a while, the thermostat that controls the flow of coolant to the engine may give out and need to be replaced. This is the least costly repair to make and should be checked fore first.

Yes.

It can be many things. First make sure the cooling fan is running anytime the A/C is on. the cooling fan should run continuously with the A/C turned on. If not, either the fan motor or relay is bad. If that is not the problem, you need to service the cooling system, and see if the problem disappears. Start by cleaning the front of the radiator of all debris. Now drain the cooling system, flush the system with heater set to hot, and replace the thermostat with an exact match. Pour in a 50/50 mix of the correct Anti-Freeze and bleed all air from the system.

Bad sensor? There is a coolant temp. sensor that goes bad. Mine been on for over a yr doesnt mean it is low....just bad sensor.

There could be many reasons. Not enough coolant or bad flow, faulty thermostat, low oil. If the coolant freezes then it will overheat. If your car continues to overheat then you should have the coolant flushed and thermostat replaced.

Generally, if your car overheats with the proper level of antifreeze, either your water pump has gone bad (not circulating fluid), the thermostat is stuck, or your radiator is clogged up inside.

-NAPAman

No, but a lot more oil can cause other damage.

try hooking up the hose to he jetski

First, check the coolant in the radiator. Second, crank the engine and turn on the AC. the electric fan(s) should come on. If they don't you have an electrical problem, possibly a fuse, relay or a bad electric fan. If they do, you've probably have a faulty thermostat in the engine. If the car is consistantly low in coolant without an external leak or it steams, you may have a bad cylinder head or gasket.

Different engines run at different temperatures. It would be best to consult your owner's manual.

Was it summer when it happened?If it was,then that must be the reason.

Try replacing radiator cap Is cooling fan working? Make sure radiator is not plugged or dirty Check coolant level

water pump

Because the coolant is flowing too rapidly for transference of heat. That is why it is not a good idea to run without a thermostat. Water can circulate too rapidly to do any cooling.

During repair and testing it would be wasteful and very expensive to use anti-freeze/coolant. Water is suitable until repair is complete.

I'm no expert, but I have a'96 cavalier Z24 with a similar problem. I have found out that when air conditioner is running normally the rad fan is on. My air conditionong is not working.(compressor not coming on.) So instead of the temp. staying around 90degs it goes up to next increment (105?) before the fan kicks on. This only happens in stop and go and has not got into the red on the temp. gauge. Also if air conditioning is not working and is the car is overheating check the belt.

Apparently you are having an overheating problem and you suspect the radiator cooling fan. First thing you want to check is if the thermostat is not stuck closed. Open the hood, remove the radiator cap and start the engine. When normal operating temperature is reached, carefully look into the radiator filler neck. You should be able to see water circulating. If the fan motor doesn't come on by that time, then it could be that the radiator fan sensor switch or the radiator fan motor are at fault (maybe even both). After the engine cools down, wire the fan motor direct to see if it will run, if it does, replace the sensor switch. If the fan motor doesn't run, replace the fan motor before you buy a new sensor. If after replacing the fan motor, the fan still doesn't run, then replace the sensor. You don't have to run the engine to an overheating point to see if the fan will run, it should come on when the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

instead of putting fluids in over flow put it directly in the radiator. take cap off radiator start car and wait like 5 minutes then add to radiator until full.

OR on the top of the water pump there will be a brass fitting with a small brass bolt in it, loosen the bolt to allow air to be pushed out of the cooling system as you add coolant, otherwise when the air in the system gets hot it expands and pushes the coolant back out and the car overheats. when coolant starts coming out tighten the bolt again and run it up to operating temp.