Overheat/undercool?

[BAD MERC]

My 2004 was parked today at a car show for about 20 minutes with the hood up idling. Fan was running, A/C was on. Got in and the temp gauge was almost topped out. I put my hand behind the fan and got cool air coming through the radiator. The car has idled for longer periods and never hinted at running hot. Before I could do anything it belched a quart of coolant out the overflow and made an ass out of me. This baby isn't even close to 40K miles yet - could it be a thermostat? Where is it? It's due for a coolant change so no better time than the present.

[ImpalaSlayer]

wow thats weird man. you think it woulda ran cooler with the hood up, i mean thats what you do at the track waiting to make a run?

[BAD MERC]

Thanks for the insight. I ordered a thermostat and O ring. It's amazing - you get more responses when you ask how to make a 1994 Grand Marquis into a Marauder.

[fastblackmerc]

- you get more responses when you ask how to make a 1994 Grand Marquis into a Marauder.

Sorry I wasn't waiting for your post............. :censor:

[BAD MERC]

Sorry I wasn't waiting for your post............. :censor:


That's okay, don't be ashamed - I called Carfixer. He said it's unlikely to be the thermostat but they do go bad. He mentioned maybe air in the crossover pipe but the cooling system has never been open. This even puzzled TJA who was parked right beside me.

[twin03]

It is the Themostat bro, and drive it a little more when you replace the stat........

[ckadiddle]

I had a problem a year or so back with sudden seemingly random overheating. Happened several times, most of the time was just fine. By the time I would pull over and get stopped, temp was back to normal. Dealer replaced electric fan assembly and it's associated switchy thingy. Some of these other guys can tell you what it is really called.

[BAD MERC]

I think having the car sitting for 2 and 3 month intervals may have contributed to this - I will manually inspect and test the stat today after I replace it. While I am refilling it - I am using distilled water and "water-wetter". This should minimize the amount of mineral deposits.

[Hotrauder]

Kenny, just logged on..I hope I am in time....I have no idea what the problem might be other than it may involve the cooling system somehow...If I think of anything else I will send you a PM...stay right there, don't go away..this you don't want to miss just in case I should I find out anything....:neener::poke: Love ya. Dennis:D

[Cobra25]

I sent you a pm.

[Bradley G]

I'm not sayin' it's your thermostat.:P
Follow the crossover pipe down ,on the drivers side behind the radiator.

[Paul]

I'm no expert, but: you overheated, yet your cooling fan was on. Cool air pulled through the radiator. This has to be lack of coolant circulation. stuck thermostat would do it. so would a non-functional water pump. If you have an electric one, it could be faulty. We know it's not a mechanical pump failure, because you did not mention weeping, or funny sounds, and of course, since your AC was running we know your belt is o.k. If coolant system had been opened, you could have an air bubble which stopped the flow.

Stat is located in metal housing hanging at the bottom of the vertical hose coming off the crossover pipe.

Oh yeah, - don't try and clone a marauder from a grand marquis. the group here will roast ya !