Overheating problem

kreator75 · 11-01-2007, 08:05 PM

I have a 1995 Explorer XLT.
I noticed a new noise coming from the engine that I haden't heard before. Its really not loud, but its one of those things you can tell it doesnt sound like it normally does. So one night I thought I smelled coolant... checked and didn't see any visable leaks and fluid levels were ok. Couple days later the temperature guage shot up to almost H ... I noticed it so I turned the heat on. The heat didn't seem to blow out hot air at all at first but after 30 seconds or so, it did and the guage came down. I turned the heat back off and it started again. I also noticed that driving on the highway, the guage goes back to normal. Sitting at idle the guage also stays pretty much at normal. Its when I drive on the side roads or the stop and go traffic is when it acts up. Any ideas? Few ideas from friends who said either the tstat or the water pump. Any opinions is appriciated. Thanks in advance.

jonmark1985 · 11-02-2007, 06:45 AM

The 4.0's were very bad about head gaskets. The 3.0's were bad about head gaskets too.

But defenitly pull your thermostat and make sure it is opening at the temperature it's supposed to. The thermostat should have the temperature marked on the bottom of it.

kreator75 · 11-02-2007, 04:26 PM

I noticed the noise has gotten alot louder. Like a howling noise. The temperature guage never does go all the way to H though. Just close and the check guage light does not come on. Temperature guage seems to go up and down a little also. Gonna see if there is anything I can do with it this weekend.

jonmark1985 · 11-02-2007, 05:02 PM

figure out what that howling is

kreator75 · 11-09-2007, 04:21 PM

I checked it out with a friend of mine and we found the coolant level was low and a small leak at the heater valve. I haven't changed it yet, but hopefully that will do the trick. As far as the noise, he said it sounds like it could be the bearings in the alternator and told me i should change it. I just thought it was coincidental that both problems happened at the same time. It is the original alternator. Is this repairable or should i just invest the $160 for a new one and change it myself?

KU40 · 11-20-2007, 05:12 AM

Can you stick your head under the hood while it's howling to pinpoint where it's coming from? I'd do that before replacing the alternator just to make sure. I'd just get a new alternator, having them rebuilt will probably cost as much as just getting an already rebuilt one with lifetime warranty from Napa.