Overheating Problem!

[bd2988]

(95 Escort LX) Well... It all started off when I noticed there was anti-freeze all over the carpet inside the car. The check coolant level light kept coming on, and I kept replacing coolant. Then the car started to have steam coming out of the vents and it smelt like anti-freeze really bad. One night I was on the express way and the cars temperature gauge(which had been jumping a little bit lately) jumped all the way to hot and the check engine light came on. Steam was coming out of the hood etc. I then replaced the heater core, and no more coolant was getting into the inside of the car, but it still overheated. I then even replaced the thermostat and the thermostat housing gasket. It still over heats. Also after that night on the express way, it kinda like putters when it is in idle. I do not understand what the problem could be. I'm getting compression too and didn't see any leaks on the block. Any ideas? I'm willing to try anything on this car. Thank you!

[bd2988]

Anyone?????

[daleb9]

Does the radiator fan come on?

[bd2988]

Yeah the fan works just fine. I used this stopleak product a while back on the cooling system because of the loss of coolant. Could the radiator possibly be cloged?

[daleb9]

I would consider that possibility real seriously, bd. You haven't mentioned a drain and flush of the cooling system yet, so I suppose that might be the next move. Be sure to get all the flush out.

Or you could pull the radiator out and flush it in a bathtub. With the cap on and drain valve shut, run water into one of the tube ends, it should come out the other at a healthy rate.

[-Charcoal 93 GT.-]

Bd 2988,
I have a 93 gt and had a similar problem with my cooling system. First off, you should know that my radiator had a small leak and i did what any other person would have done, that's right, "stop leak". The thing is that you are only supposed to use that "stop leak" to get it to a radiator shop and repair it. Anyway, I didn't and i've been driving it ever since with very little problems. You really should go get the radiator replaced, down the line you might get stranded somewhere. Which brings me to my advice, Have you checked out the coolant temperature sender unit. It's sort of like a sensor and costs about 20-25 bucks. Takes about 5 minutes to change. It's worth a shot.
--charcoal 93 gt.

[bd2988]

where exactly is that located... thanks guys for the help btw

[RAWSONFD804]

You might consider having a chemical test done on the coolant at a repair shop, my 95 was overheating as well, replaced the fan, still didn't fix the problem, the test revealed a blown head gasket, leaking hot exhaust into the coolant, but no coolant into the cylinders

[bd2988]

Originally Posted by RAWSONFD804

the test revealed a blown head gasket, leaking hot exhaust into the coolant, but no coolant into the cylinders

Did you lose power? Could you actually tell that your car didn't have as much power as before? There isn't coolant in the oil, and wouldn't there be visable signs as well if it was a blown head gasket?

[RAWSONFD804]

No I did not notice or have any loss of power, and also no coolant in the oil. gasket was blown just to the thermostat side of piston #4, only blew exhaust gas into the coolant ports, no coolant leaking back into the cylinders or oil as you would have thought, piston heads and vavles not cleaned off as if coolant got in and burnt off

[spidermann59]

Hey raw, Did your exhaust act like the car never heated up? Like the slight white steam not heavy thick steam just a trickle even after the engine was normal opperating temp. and what was your N.O.T. before/after the head gasket change, Thanks David

[RAWSONFD804]

Originally Posted by spidermann59

Hey raw, Did your exhaust act like the car never heated up? Like the slight white steam not heavy thick steam just a trickle even after the engine was normal opperating temp. and what was your N.O.T. before/after the head gasket change, Thanks David

I never noticed any steam from the exhaust or anything, only steam/overheating was in the cooling system, radiator/overflow bottle. As for the N.O.T.? about straight up/down on the gauge, sorry no numbers

[Jet-Lee]

I say check ur coolant mixture....I had almost pure water in mine, and it overheated a couple times...now with 50/50 water/anti-freeze, the guage NEVER reacches even half-way. Give that a shot after flushing the system.

[bd2988]

Hmm... I know the coolant levels/mixture are correct. It doesn't seem to get too hot anymore but just after driving for a while, it goes a little over the middle of the gauge. Anyways, raw, did your car get hot somewhat instantaniously? Was it super hot or just somewhat? thanks

[mjohn]

To flush the system on this Escort...
Can you pull the hoses on the firewall and use a garden hose to flush...or can you reverse the hoses on the firewall?