Engine Getting Hot

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- Stu Walerstein
  
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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Nov 11, 2003 12:20 PM

Hi i have a 98 explorer with 58,000 miles past 2 days while driving locally temp gauge has been climbing into h area and then goes down then when you start to accelaerate it goes back up again. If you turn heat on it takes gauge down a bit. I had a mechanic take a quick look at it and he stated there are issues with head gaskets on some fords. He also said that maybe it has some things that lead him to believe head gasket gone bad. How are your feeling on this please advise.

Stu

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- lugnut
  
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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Nov 11, 2003 1:21 PM

It is not necessarily a head gasket. A quick look is not enough to ID the problem especially if it is headgaskets. It may be a small problem lik a thermostat or a radiator cap. If you run it hot you are most certainly approaching the point where head gaskets are guaranteed to be at least part of the problem if they are not already. You should get it properly diagnosed ASAP while there is still a chance that the damage is minimal and the problem is simple. Running it hot enough only once is enough to destroy the head gaskets or, even the engine if they are not already damaged.

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- V.B. Mercon
  
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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Nov 11, 2003 3:57 PM

The symptoms suggest the thermostat has gone bad. "(while driving locally temp gauge has been climbing into H area and then goes down then when you start to accelerate,)".Checking the thermostat is quite simple. That is the first place I would look. Also check the fans to make sure they are coming on, when they are supposed to, in stop and go traffic.