Overheating question

[MotorCity]

So some of you may have seen my post about me buying an 04 silver birch with 75k miles sight unseen from Texas. It was delivered to my home in Michigan a couple weeks ago. Been busy with work and unfortunately my father has been ill so I haven’t had much time to fool with the car or even unsure it and drive it. I only transferred the title obviously

Anyways I just got in it and drove it around for less than 10 minutes. Going around a few blocks. Only got up to about 40 mph. I noticed the rpm gauge not working but I think it was initially when I got in the car, that’s probably not relevant to my question but I noticed the heat not working and then when I was getting back home the temp gauge was reading hot. I turned the car off and popped the hood and heard some ticking coming from the engine so I think it was in fact overheating. When I first got the car I did the same thing, drove it around a few blocks and noticed the heat took forever to start kicking in hot. It did start blowing hot after about 10 minutes. I’m not sure if I paid attention if the temp gauge got hot or not that time. Also I did the ecu test and everything checked out fine so no stuck blend door motor

I’m not car expert by any means but does this simply mean that I need to replace my thermostat and problem solved or do I have a more serious problem on my hands? I will check the coolant level tomorrow. By the way I don’t work on cars so if have to have someone change the thermostat. Thanks in advance for any help. I hope I didn’t just take someone else’s problem off their hands

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191008/d6074d7c8e3f18d1c2a24d6ba79bd0 9f.jpg


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[offroadkarter]

It sounds to me like you might be really low on coolant, open the crossover tube and see if you can see coolant inside. When my COT was empty I'd have no heat for a while and the temp would rapidly spike up until the T-stat eventually opened and got things flowing. I think your system is really low.

If it is, you're going to elevate the front of the car slightly, fill the system, let it run and burp, and keep topping it off. Make sure it gets up to temp but in your case make sure it isn't overheating either. Keep the heat on full blast. Once it levels out and stops taking coolant, let the car sit for a few hours and get completely cold. Repeat the process and make sure it won't take anymore.

https://reischeperformance.com/refill.html

[bluesboyst]

I had overheating issues, check that crossover...It most likely needs to be burped as stated above. Good luck.

[fastblackmerc]

Most likely a burp is needed.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Most owners not aware the coolant system has a burping procedure to fix air trapped. Read this link for steps to do it.

https://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?98532-Cooling-System-Burp-Procedure

[MotorCity]

Thank you guys for the reply’s

Dumb question but just to confirm, this is the crossover cap correct?

I don’t know what kind of coolant or mix is already in there. What kind do u guys recommend putting in and also the reservoir seams to be full https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191008/c9555baa5746349e15e85723ab3b98 71.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191008/4c4b4669116bb07615fae20da81f9e b8.jpg


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[Invective]

So some of you may have seen my post about me buying an 04 silver birch with 75k miles sight unseen from Texas. I hope I didn’t just take someone else’s problem off their hands

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I remember this one - guy's wife drove it to church on sundays?!?! Looked like she bumped into everything in the parking lot. It's fixable unless there's more you aren't telling us. Can't imagine buying a car without putting my hands on it first.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a54iqEr1flQ

[loud2004marquis]

Thank you guys for the reply’s

Dumb question but just to confirm, this is the crossover cap correct?

You sir are correct, that is the coolant crossover cap.

[88LTDCV351]

Maybe the previous owner had the thermostat replaced. From my experience, some web sites say the grand marquis thermostat is the same as the Marauder. And that is incorrect. Maybe he had the incorrect thermostat put in. They did that to me and my car kept overheating. The correct Marauder thermostat has to have the bypass.

[decipha]

in my experiences its usually the system needs to be burped as well

It would help if you use an impact to get that cap off at least thats the only way mine was coming off the first time.

I had to put 2 gallons in mine one day when my reservoir hose came disconnected and I lost some coolant (reservoir was still full too).

[MotorCity]

Thanks again

I know u can’t diagnose this over the internet but how likely do you guys think this can be a bad head gasket? It overheated in less than 10 minutes


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[RubberCtyRauder]

Are you blowing white smoke out tail pipe?..air pocket prohibits coolant to flow.. overheats very quick. Try the most likely first...

[MotorCity]

No white smoke out the tail pipe. Guess I’m thinking the worst.


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[offroadkarter]

No white smoke out the tail pipe. Guess I’m thinking the worst.


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You are, it really most likely is just the system being low.

These cars take Motorcraft Gold (Zerex G05 50/50 mix is perfectly fine) from the factory.

[MotorCity]

I just looked in the crossover tube and see no coolant at all.

In the end, should the crossover tube be full to the cap?


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[Invective]

I just looked in the crossover tube and see no coolant at all.

In the end, should the crossover tube be full to the cap?


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Odd question? Top off and 'burp system' as discussed previously. All a bit strange, from the time you posted images of the car in Texas, the descriptions-itinerary, right through to today.

https://i.imgur.com/PTmjw4Cl.jpg

[MotorCity]

Odd question? Top off and 'burp system' as discussed previously. All a bit strange, from the time you posted images of the car in Texas, the descriptions-itinerary, right through to today.

https://i.imgur.com/PTmjw4Cl.jpg

I’m not sure what u think is so strange? Maybe the only strange thing is that auto maintenance is not my expertise?

Regarding filling the crossover tube I was under the impression that you need to fill the tube with coolant till it takes no more and then there is two inches of coolant sitting in the funnel and then start the engine. I put in about one liter of coolant through the tube and it was still taking more

I just don’t think I’m doing something right. How long should u leave the engine started? That guy at advanced auto parts said about 60 seconds but how would that get up to operating temp

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[03Merc]

You fill the funnel up, keep it full, and squeeze the upper hose a bunch of times to release air out of the tube thru the funnel, car should be raised up a bit in the front too. Heat on and run it a good 15mins or so. It's worked everytime for Me that way.


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[MotorCity]

You fill the funnel up, keep it full, and squeeze the upper hose a bunch of times to release air out of the tube thru the funnel, car should be raised up a bit in the front too. Heat on and run it a good 15mins or so. It's worked everytime for Me that way.


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Ok what I did was stick the funnel in there with car not started. Filled the funnel the funnel would keep emptying because the coolant was going into the crossover tube. It took over a liter. I did start the car and squeezed the radiator hose and filled some more. I did not let the car run for 15 minutes though. I will have to maybe try again.

I’m not sure why my question earlier seamed “strange” but I was asking how much coolant should be in the crossover tube? Is it suppose to be basically full to the cap?

Also is it ok if it overflows when the crossover tube is full and I have some coolant inside the funnel? Sorry maybe I am making this more complicated than it is. I just don’t have much confidence when I barely know what I’m doing but I think I have it just about down


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[MyBlackBeasts]

I’m not sure why my question earlier seamed “strange” but I was asking how much coolant should be in the crossover tube? Is it suppose to be basically full to the cap? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, you want to finish the job with the COT full and no air. There should be zero air in the system.

[03Merc]

Ok what I did was stick the funnel in there with car not started. Filled the funnel the funnel would keep emptying because the coolant was going into the crossover tube. It took over a liter. I did start the car and squeezed the radiator hose and filled some more. I did. It run the car for 15 minutes though. I will have to maybe try again.

I’m not sure why my question earlier seamed “strange” but I was asking how much coolant should be in the crossover tube? Is it suppose to be basically full to the cap?

Also is it ok if it overflows when the crossover tube is full and I have some coolant inside the funnel? Sorry maybe I am making this more complicated than it is. I just don’t have much confidence when I barely know what I’m doing but I think I have it just about down


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Fill it all the way up, keep it full, run it 15-20 mins, shut it down remove funnel even if it's full and close the COT.

Wait a good hour or so, longer the better.....do not start the car or open the reservoir cap. Only open the COT CAP and fill it all the way up with coolant. Should be fine after that.


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[MotorCity]

One last question then I’ll leave you guys alone haha. So I filled the cot with coolant then I ran the car with two inches of coolant in the funnel but I ran the car for less than 10 minutes, I. That time I did squeeze the radiator hose to let out trapped air. I came back out about a half hour later and topped off the coolant. It didn’t need much more. This time I left the cap off as directed but it will be 8 hours since by the time I get home from work. When I get home I’m going to check the fluid and top if needed.

Since I might of not ran the car long enough should I repeat this whole thing over again? If I have no heat does that indicate this did not work? Obviously If it overheats then I’ll know it did not work or I have another issue

Edit: when I get home I’m also going to take it on the same drive I did when it overheated to see what it does


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[03Merc]

One last question then I’ll leave you guys alone haha. So I filled the cot with coolant then I ran the car with two inches of coolant in the funnel but I ran the car for less than 10 minutes, I. That time I did squeeze the radiator hose to let out trapped air. I came back out about a half hour later and topped off the coolant. It didn’t need much more. This time I left the cap off as directed but it will be 8 hours since by the time I get home from work. When I get home I’m going to check the fluid and top if needed.

Since I might of not ran the car long enough should I repeat this whole thing over again? If I have no heat does that indicate this did not work? Obviously If it overheats then I’ll know it did not work or I have another issue


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You're thinking too much about it.


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[MotorCity]

You're thinking too much about it.


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Haha I’m an idiot, don’t mind me.


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[MotorCity]

So I just got home from work. Topped the coolant off through the cot cap. It took a bit more.

Drove the car for a total of about 15 minutes, same route I drove last time plus a little longer and then parked and let it idle for another 5-10 mins. My heat is back and no overheating.

You guys are awesome. Is it safe to say that this will not overheat on a 30 mile trip or any distance for that matter?

All in all it took 2 quarts total through the crossover tube. The reservoir was full all along.

I’m wondering why the crossover tube was so low? Any ideas? I’m just wondering now if it’s overheated on the last owner and if they ever caused any damage

Can’t explain how much I appreciate you guys right now

And also I lied in the previous post, that wasn’t my last question. In the bulletin is states to top it off one more time the next day which would be tomorrow. Should I do that? Now I’m worried about doing that in case air gets back into it when it’s doing fine as of now

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[03Merc]

You can top it off as much as You want when it's cold until that tube is full when You open it, then You're done. You would have to pressure test the system to find signs of a leak if there is one. Good luck with it!


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[justbob]

I’d leave it be unless it were to act up down the road.

I myself simply exercise every single hose including the heater core for 5-10 minutes with the engine off and the funnel in place until no more air bubbles. Cap it off, start it up and never look back. Never once an issue and zero mess.


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[sailsmen]

Be aware the OEM gauge moves starting at ~240*.

[decipha]

on my 03 marauder the gauge stays on cold til about 130 or so. It then sits just above middle at 212 degrees (the perfect temp). It goes up to the red at 240 degrees

[Invective]

Steaming cars from the bygone era.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBU8IPyUyTk

[Turbov6Bryan]

This thread woke me up in the middle of the night.
I would replace the cot o ring, most likely there is a pin hole leak just enough to let steam out once the cot becomes somewhat dry..

make friends with the neighbor who has the steepest drive way, get the nose up high as possible and massage the firewall heater hose, 2 quarts low IMHO isn't enough to make it overheat..
i had one marauder that the heat stopped at stop lights, it was almost a gallon low, and never over heated..

might try topping it off tomorrow on a steep hill

Regards
Bryan

[Turbov6Bryan]

Forgot to mention I can mail you a new and a few spare cot o rings. Text me
573-286-1699. I don't answer telephone calls