1994 Ford Explorer Running Hot & Overheating?

Question

My 94 Explorer has been running hot it always runs in the middle of the temp gauge no matter the outside weather, distance traveled or speed) and it becomes borderline overheating whenever I stop, sit in traffic or sit anywhere idling too long. It seems to cool down some when I'm on the highway or even moving down any road at a nice pace.

What could the problem be?

Answer 1

Could be a thermostat issue. t could also be an issue with your cooling fan or shourd. If you are not getting enough air across the radiator while sitting still, the temp will rise. Then, once you start moving forward again, air is forced across the radiator and your temp drops. It could also be a flow issue of other sorts but I would tend to think that the thermostat is sticking and not allowing the coolant to cool in the radiator before re-entering the engine. Don't rule out the possibility of the sending unit or guage itself being the problem. Slight, but still a chance.

I suggest you take it to a shop to have a cooling system test done. It shouldn't cost too much and they will be able to diagnose your problem. Then depending on what is wrong you can decide if you want ot fix it.

In the meantime, it sounds like you're fine as long as you are moving. So try that but when your temp creeps up high you need to remember that your heater core is a miniture radiator. That is you can help transfer some heat away from your cooling system by running the heater on full blast. It works by forcing air across the rows of your heater core (miniture radiator behind the glove box in your vehicle's case). That heater core is filled with the same coolant that runs through your radiator and engine block. Ever noticed how yor heat doesn't work until your engine gets up to operating temp.? It won't help too much but every little bit counts when things start to get really hot and that coolant flowing through your heater core will lose some heat into your vehicle's cab before it returns to the engine to absorb more of the engine's heat.

Answer 2

Cars are like people and mechanics should be called rather car doctors but without Q+A I will try to help it is a 94 so the matenence may be something to look at if the radiator is even dirty on the outside it will not help and well how about changeing the fluid within the radiator not many people do this and it should be done every year, if not it tends to start depositing impurities on the inside just as oil that is not changed regularly. My advice if you want would be to drain the fluid and check the exterior and blow it clean with pressure water and or air watever you can and if that does not make a difference have the thermostat checked.Also a loose or damaged belt can cause problems like that dear.

Answer 3

If the car is carborated, look inside the carborater. There is a little flap called a butterfly. Make sure that nothing is holding it down. Also check your coolant level. If your coolant level is low, you can be sure there is a leak for some reason. If you don't have any fluid, go buy some and then take the car to the car fixing shop. Don't put the fluid in, just drive with the heat on and the windows down. The heat is from the engine, so it will keep the engine cool. If the coolant level isn't low and the butterfly isn't sticking, take it to the shop. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The thermostat is a gauge which opens and closes with temperature to allow more or less coolant flow around the engine block. Your auto's symptoms are typical of a stuck thermostat, which can be replaced by a mechanic. While doing this, it would be good to flush and fill the radiator, and check it for leaks and cracks. The reason your car overheats when stopped is because when travelling, the air passing under and over the engine block helps cool it. Your mechanic should not charge you much more than $150 American to do this job.

Answer 5

thermostat problems will usually happen at all times not just at idle.

You have airflow problems with you not getting enough air across the radiator to cool it down.

Either the fan/fan clutch is bad or radiator has issues with it are usually the case on these type concerns ... also how about running some water over the radiator and condenser assy. and see if any debris is caught blocking the air flow.. a lot cheaper to try first.

and until you get the car fixed, turn the heater on at idle to keep it from overheating

Answer 6

check the thermostat that is probably most likely your problem if the truck makes a really loud screeching noise then check the water pump the thermostat is like 5 Bucks a water pump will probably run you about 100 bucks for the part if you want to change the thermostat yourself it's pretty simple just follow the top radiator hose to the motor were it connects the part the hose is clamped to is were the thermostat is a couple bolts and it's out take like half hour

Answer 7

Explorer 94

Answer 8

you have an air flow prob since the only time it acts up is at a stop. You probably have a fan clutch going bad. It can be a partially clogged radiator, but i would check the fan first.

When you shut the car off the fan clutch should still have resistance, if the fan spins freely then the fan clutch is bad. Make sure you haven't picked up a plastic bag or piece of trash in the radiator restricting air flow.

Answer 9

You always see the same crowd of nitwits saying "Check the thermostat" when ever someone's car is running hot.
If that's the original radiator it's pretty old. It's probably partially clogged and ready to go. Don't try to fix it. Putting a new one in will cost about the same.

Answer 10

I have a 95 Explorer and have the same problems some times. Be sure to check the oil often because mine eats it up weekly.