Overheating

[JayAchTee]

This is my first post so be gentle! And I have searched and found what I think I need but this is my first time to work on my '95 Mark VIII.

Last night, my wife and I were out for dinner and I got a Low Coolant Level warning when I started the car. It was sitting on a hill so I thought I would top it off in the morning before I left for work. Mindless me forgot to check the level in this morning but I didn't get the Low Coolant warning as it was parked on a level surface. On my way home from work it started heating up and I got the "Check Engine Temp" warning about 200 yards from home.

I pulled into the driveway and popped the hood and the coolant level was brimming and no signs of leaking from the water pump (it is on the lower driver's side?). In fact, if I opened the top of the overflow a bit of coolant would escape.

My thinking is that it may have sucked in some air and now needs "burping" even though there is plenty of coolant in the overflow. Just in case, I picked up a thermostat and "O" ring. Does this sound right? Any other things I should check?

 

[JoeyGood]

could be the thermostat but did you check the hoses for any kniks and/ or lieaking from the radiator. just because the fluid wasn't on the floor dosen't mean you didn't loose it on the way to where you were. just something to think about. thossing out some posibilities that might help

 

[JayAchTee]

Thanks, Joey. I did check the upper hoses for leaks and found none. I'll lift it up tomorrow and check underneath.

 

[02LSE96LSC91SE84TC]

Sounds like you losing the antifreeze somewhere. My driveway is kinda a hill and I've get the low message once and a while and its never low enough to make any difference in temp. or cause a light.

 

[JayAchTee]

I agree that it's going somewhere. After changing the thermostat and burping itm if it still overheats I'll run it as hot as possible while looking for a leak under preasure. Thanks for the input!

 

[Psychostang]

did you confirm the fan is working.

 

[rmac694203]

Mine did the same thing. Turns out it had air trapped in system. I just drained the coolant and refilled the proper way. No troubles since.

 

[JayAchTee]

The fan was running fine.

Getting ready to head out after a nice hot cup of coffee and if the rains holds off.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[JayAchTee]

The burp did it! I slowly added about 2.5 quarts of 50/50 to the plug hole (blow hole?) in front of the alternator. I noticed that the "O" ring was missing from the plug. I replaced everything after filling it up and started the car. It warmed up to about the "A" in NORMAL which is about right. I drove it around town fetching parts and special tools for the Elky and it never heated about the "A" the whole time. I'll open it up again tomorrow and make sure there is no air in the system.

The only thing I can figure is that it sucked in some air from the overflow and the loss came from the missing "O" ring on the top plug. The dealership that replaced the engine must have missed installing the "O" ring. The hoses are in good shape and I found no other irregularities.

I'll keep the spare thermostat and "O" ring for the housing for a another rainy day.

Thanks again for all the input!

Since I am doing so much automotive work with the Elky I figure I'll start maintaining the Mark as well.

 

[Dominus]

Good show. Sometimes it only takes a little.

 

[MrWilson]

The burp did it! I slowly added about 2.5 quarts of 50/50 to the plug hole (blow hole?) in front of the alternator. I noticed that the "O" ring was missing from the plug. I replaced everything after filling it up and started the car. It warmed up to about the "A" in NORMAL which is about right. I drove it around town fetching parts and special tools for the Elky and it never heated about the "A" the whole time. I'll open it up again tomorrow and make sure there is no air in the system.

The only thing I can figure is that it sucked in some air from the overflow and the loss came from the missing "O" ring on the top plug. The dealership that replaced the engine must have missed installing the "O" ring. The hoses are in good shape and I found no other irregularities.

I'll keep the spare thermostat and "O" ring for the housing for a another rainy day.

Thanks again for all the input!

Since I am doing so much automotive work with the Elky I figure I'll start maintaining the Mark as well.

Lucky duck. It took me 2 months to get that done on my mark cuz i bent the dang pipe!