Villager overheating

[Jo Bird]

Wondering if someone could help round here.
My '96 Mercury Villager was taken to a automotive shop for overheating issues. White smoke came out from under the hood close to the top by the windsheild, temp was hot. They replaced the heater hose, coolant (which I had plenty of) and the hose clamp. The temp is still rising a bit and my AC no longer blows cold air once the temp climbs up. My AC was working great before I brought it in. (the steam has stopped) Anyone have any ideas?

Also, does anyone know where the heater hose is located? It took them 3 hours. Is that about right?

[IH8SPM]

Start by reading this thread
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=683621
Then you need to have a more reliable mechanic with more experience look at your simple problem. Please provide us with more specific info on your vehicle and its maintnance history. It sounds like you may need a thermostate and a water pump(maybe) or you may just need to have the system bleed. It is all covered in that thread.

[Jo Bird]

Well, the only problems I've had before all this was electrical problems. (The electrical locking system) Which I have heard is common. I had the lock replaced on the driver's side, but it did nothing to help. I read there are a number of things to try and fix this problem.

No other problems to report that I know of.
Today the check engine light came on and the temp likes to stay right on the threshold of hot. A fan under the hood sounds like it might be running harder than usual.

Thanks for the feedback and link. This helps.

[IH8SPM]

Take a good look at that fan and make sure its not wobbleing or not working at full speed. You may need a new one and that is what could be causing your problem. You may also need to check that the sending unit that is on the thermostat housing is good and not broken internally(resistance test) or the wire is snapped when they did work on it or prior wear. The bleeder is mentioned in the linked thread. Get that code read and post it here. The door locks are common but they are a puzzling mystery as to exactly what each time. You can start by looking at your remote if you have one and also if you door lock switch is worn you may need a new one its sold separtly from the window switch. Another possible is the window/lock/light computer that is under the center dash on the drivers side behind the panel. Two screw plastic and then a 10mm removes the computer it is brown if no remote unlock and black if you do. The bracket is angled and facing you so you know its that one. There is a bad solder inside but I am not sure which so I just replaced it with a another used one that I pulled from another salvage donor.(Ebay) Hope this helps

[jthomer]

I had the same problem with overheating. Engine temp would rise and A/C wouldn't work. The electric radiator fan motor had given out. When the engine is hot, park it, leave it running, and listen or pop the hood to see/hear if the fan motor is running - if not, the fan motor or electrical system controlling the fan motor is your problem.

[drcoffee]

The cooling system is actually very simple. water flows thru the engine and back to the radiator to be cooled. So if you are running hot only a few things can be wrong. Either you are not flowing water through the engine and I would look at the water pump. How to check a bad water pump? two thing you can do. With the engine stone cold (morning) open the radiator cap and start the engine and watch the fluid to see if you can detect any motion in the coolant. In a short period of time the fluid will heat up and flow out the opening so get ready to cap it before it comes out. aniother way is to turn on the heater and see if you get any hot air from it. The heater core requires fluid flow to circulate the coolant and generate real heat. A bad pump won't give you very much heat. poor flow can come from clogged coolant passages in the engine from corrosion. Look in the radiator and see if you see crud, build up of deposits anything that is less than new and shiny would be a problem and would need a coolant flush and maybe a new radiator. This can be cause from someone using anything other than distlled water mixed with coolant in the radiator.

Here's what I would hope for. A clogged radiator from grass and dirt. Get a light and shine it thru the radiator from the engine side and look from the front side to see if you can see the light. Often what happens is that stuff block the air flow over the radiator and even though the coolant is flowing through it it can't cool the coolant. A good power washer can help but may require you to reach in and around to clear it. The steam is curious. Was it a ruptured hose that was leaking? A blown head gasket will cause steam as well but that's a whole other game. Let's start with the basics and work our way down the list.

The AC may be working. Can you see or hear the compressor engaging? I wonder if the mechanic may have bumped the control valve and the van is stuck in heat mode even with the AC on. Kind of like during the winter using the defroster, both the heat is on and the AC is on and the air produced is hot.