About three days ago on my husband's way home from base; his car (01 Ford Escort) began to overheat. It completely overheated, stalled and died on the freeway; he added water and limped home. His heater cut out and no longer blows hot air, we assumed this was due to the radiator issue.
We checked the oil %26amp; the coolant and found that both were very low -- the reservoir was empty for the coolant and our oil was almost 3 quarts low. We did an oil flush and change, replaced the filter, and also did a coolant flush and change, as well as replaced the thermostat (yes, it was installed correctly %26amp; it was the proper temp).
We test drove it tonight; the heater is still blowing cold air and although it isn't overheating, it is running right at 'hot'.
I did some reading and found out we should have bled the lines and that it may have an air bubble (we're bleeding them in the morning, soon as we can see). Husband also told me after the fact that he added coolant to the radiator (filled it) but not the reservoir; but I don't think that would matter (throwing that out there, might be wrong on that).
I also read that it may be a plugged heater core or possibly a fried water pump. I don't know how to find out of a water pump is dead; and we plan on flushing the heater core tomorrow.
I'd like to avoid taking it to a mechanic if at *all* possible. I'm beginning to think it's unavoidable though.
Thanks in advance...Car is running hot - replaced thermo, flushed %26amp; changed oil, flushed %26amp; changed coolant.. now what?
Check that your radiator fan is working: start your car, turn on A/C. Fan should turn on immediately when you turn the A/C on, even with the engine cold. If the fan doesn't turn on, check fuses. If fuses are good, check fan connections. If connections good, you may need a new fan.
If the fan works, you probably have a blockage. Reverse flush coolant to see if it is an easy clear, but you may need to replace the radiator, because a blockage is indicative of a lot of scale, corrosion, or buildup of some kind. When reverse flushing, take cap off, flush through radiator connection at bottom and watch what comes out cap opening. A lot of flakes or solids means a lot still in there to block up again. You can flush with harsher chemicals, but in the long run a new radiator might be better. Note for future: change coolant according to manufacturer recommendation -- this helps remove scale and prevent corrosion, and thus prevent blockages.
Lastly, the pump. If nothing else works, it is probably the pump. Check your fanbelts. If they are the problem, you can probably fix. If not, then unless you are an accomplished backyard mechanic, replacing the water pump is better left to a mechanic.Car is running hot - replaced thermo, flushed %26amp; changed oil, flushed %26amp; changed coolant.. now what?
I don't believe u need to flush the heater core ,if u flushed the radiator, it' the same water that's in the both of them.The heater hoe ma be hooked up wrong, if the water pump is bad it should be leaking coolant out of the bottom of it.Mot likel a air pocket in the system,u should see a bleeder valve on or near the water pump.Car is running hot - replaced thermo, flushed %26amp; changed oil, flushed %26amp; changed coolant.. now what?
From my experience it would be a blocked radiator.
In the first place it over heated on the freeway%26gt;%26gt; symptom of blocked radiator.
If it got so got that it stopped you probably have done major damage. More than likely at least a blown head gasket. Possibly a warped head. This is possibly a major job.
Seek helpCar is running hot - replaced thermo, flushed %26amp; changed oil, flushed %26amp; changed coolant.. now what?
Hello, I had a 97' Escort and I work on cars. The Escort had origional problems I've not seen elsewhere. For one, the temperature sensor malfunctioned. But what was interesting was the impeller on the water pump was completely eaten away by rust when I got it. Their water pumps aren't that hefty. So you could easily have a bad water pump.
Before you replace that though, check to see if it runs rough or blows smoke and/or steam from the tailpipe. If there is, it could have a blown head gasket.
If you decide to replace the water pump, replace the thermostat and check for blockage in your heater core by pouring water down a disconnected hose. The only other thing that can block it is the flow control valve that basically controls water flow to your heater core. They tend to go bad since they are mostly plastic.Car is running hot - replaced thermo, flushed %26amp; changed oil, flushed %26amp; changed coolant.. now what?
make sure first the over flow tank is filled, with the radiator cap off start the car and rev the engine using the throttle cable under the hood and you will see if coolant is circulating as when u rev it the level should fall when warm and want to flow over when you are not reving the engine after a bit.
there is the top radiator hose, when the car is at operating temp this hose should be warm indicating that the thermostat is opening.
if it is not over heating yet no hot air it is likely a blocked heater core, if you can get an adaptor for the heater hose, there is an inlet to the core and an outlet hook up the water hose with the adaptor and try to push water on both sides.
there is a hose connection called a mustard top, so called for the small opening to build higher water pressure that may work in place of an adaptor.
i would drain the radiator and remove the top and bottom hose at one side, it is fine to reuse the freshly filled radiator juice so collect it in a pan.
the heater core hoses go in to the heater core and likely in and out thru the fire wall, spray the pressurized water thru both hoses and sometimes after a while you will get chunks and more water coming out, i did one car and spent close to ten minutes then it all opened up.Car is running hot - replaced thermo, flushed %26amp; changed oil, flushed %26amp; changed coolant.. now what?
Have you changed the cap because that will make it over heat also.It has a spring in it just like the thermostat and it will weaken too.
