Overheating: What else to try?? Driving me nuts (and poor)

[JayP]

Hey gang- first post here but I hope it pays off.
My 2001 2.3 ran the temp gauge to hot. A few times- then replaced the fan clutch, reservoir, cap, new themostat/waterpump was installed late last year.

SO... I should be good, right?

Nope. The temp gauge will peg out when it gets just above halfway. I'll turn the AC off, it goes down. Turn the engine off, it goes down.

Replaced the temp sender between #2 & #3. Worked for a DAY then we're back to failing.

Shop said there was a tiny bit of coolant in the exhaust but nothing alarming. Also said there was a code in the computer- overheat.

What else to try? I may buy an aftermarket temp gauge and see what's what. But I'd like to fix this thing right.

 

[Quartermile]

reflash the computer

 

[majorranger1]

Your head gasket, or cracked head.

 

[JayP]

Your head gasket, or cracked head.

That's what I was afraid of.
I wanted to try everything before ripping the head off.

 

[red85]

Do a rad flush, check your hoses to see if they collapsing. Repace the thermostat as well. If it's been overheating, it's likely failed.

 

[JayP]

Most everything that could be replaced was replaced.

It's in the shop getting a new head gasket. There is no way I could baby this truck in the 100deg heat we've got these days. This heat just eats old cars.

 

[press 1 for english]

It's either a bad head gasket or a restriction in one or more of the water passages in the radiator.

 

[red85]

Any time there's coolant in the exhaust (I missed that in you first post), there's something serious there. You may have blown the head gasket. You will also need to flush your engine and cooling system. Make sure you have the t-stat changed. One good overheat is all it takes to kill one. They are your cooling system's fuse. Replace it regardless.

 

[exbass94]

Is your electric fan turning on?

 

[press 1 for english]

I missed that too. If coolant has made it to the tailpipe then it's serious.
Who told you that was not serious.......Larry, Curly, or Moe?????

 

[red85]

Who told you that was not serious.......Larry, Curly, or Moe?????

 

[Duane867]

"just a tiny bit of coolant in your exhaust sir. Nothing to worry about though"

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ! :-D
Go back and smack that guy with a frozen tuna for all of us.