2003 Marauder overheating issues. any help greatly appreciated.

[JesseJames84]

2003 marauder was running fine then began overheating out of nowhere and havent been able to figure out on what's going on. I've replaced thermostat. I've replaced the water pump. Nothing has changed. Car gets up to normal temp. Sits there for a lil bit (id say 20 mins) then slowly starts to over heat. Car has no leaks. Car doesn't need reservoir filled or anything. I did remove the reservoir cap after it was hot (let it kool down about 15-20mins before cracking the cap) and it burped out air and a splash of coolant. Figured it was good and jus bled out some air. I also noticed the service bolt on top of the cross tube, I removed the bolt and its bone dry in there. I woulda figured it to have coolant in it since it was attached to all the radiator hoses.

I can squeeze the lower radiator hose and hear it burble up in the coolant reservoir. Squeeze top hose...nothing of any sort. Feels like air. The neck coming off the block will get pretty damn hell hot, but the little 8-10" rad hose with the springs in it and the split off at the thermostat are cold to the touch. Was thinking a blockage somewhere?

[fastblackmerc]

Need to burp the cooling system.

http://reischeperformance.com/refill.html

Also make sure you but the thermostat in the right way.

[fastblackmerc]

And welcome to the site.

[RubberCtyRauder]

air in the system, need to burp system as FBM said

[ctrlraven]

Did you replace the thermostat BEFORE or AFTER it started overheating?

[RF Overlord]

What they said ^^^ about burping. The fact that your reservoir was full, yet the COT was dry confirms this.

[babbage]

It's very easy to get the wrong thermostat for Marauders. They have a unique thermal bypass. Just a hunch that you got the wrong one, while this wont cause it overheat, it ruins the efficiency. Worth double checking...

Refill and burp like suggested above.

Good luck

[Badass_forever]

Need to burp the cooling system.

http://reischeperformance.com/refill.html

Also make sure you but the thermostat in the right way.

This is a great write up on how to bleed the air, if you have done this, and you are still over heating you need to drill a hole in the t-state, not enough coolant is by-passing it and allowing it to get hot.

Had this problem with my first cobra build, i drilled 2 small holes in the outer part of the t-stat so warm coolant could flow past it faster and allow it to open sooner.

Picture of said holes
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/attachments/5-0l-talk/120038d1295661745-high-flow-thermostat-question-thermostat.jpg

[Logizyme]

This is a great write up on how to bleed the air, if you have done this, and you are still over heating you need to drill a hole in the t-state, not enough coolant is by-passing it and allowing it to get hot.

Had this problem with my first cobra build, i drilled 2 small holes in the outer part of the t-stat so warm coolant could flow past it faster and allow it to open sooner.

Picture of said holes
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/attachments/5-0l-talk/120038d1295661745-high-flow-thermostat-question-thermostat.jpg

You must not understand how the bypass system works on our cars. Even on a more traditional non-bypass thermostat setup drilling holes in your thermostat is not a great idea - if they worked better that way they'd come that way.

The bypass system on a Marauder has full coolant flow through the engine, into the COT, down the bypass hose, through the thermostat housing and back into the engine when below operation. As the engine coolant warms up the thermostat begins to open and simultaneously shuts the bypassing side, directing coolant through the COT to the radiator, to the thermostat housing and into the engine.

--

Important that you got a correct bypassing design thermostat, also performing the proper bleed/burp method of the cooling system. Coolant should always be checked and topped off at the COT plug. If the vehicle still overheats be sure to check electric fan operation.

[Badass_forever]

Important that you got a correct bypassing design thermostat, also performing the proper bleed/burp method of the cooling system. Coolant should always be checked and topped off at the COT plug. If the vehicle still overheats be sure to check electric fan operation.

Is that not just a thermostat with the floating brass plug that expands when hot?

like so?
http://ww2.gates.com/common/images/australia/ezlit/Bypass.gif

[fastblackmerc]

Just installed my FORD-4D 170° Performance Thermostat.

http://reischeperformance.com/#anchor

[Comin' in Hot]

stupid question, but is your cooling fan running?

[ctrlraven]

stupid question, but is your cooling fan running?
That's another possibility. Mine went up without any notice on a 95 degree day, had to drive for 15-20 mins then stop for 30-45 mins multiple times to make it to the dealer. Then got bent over real good on the $652 bill ($4xx parts, $200 labor) for a 15-20 min replacement.

[Logizyme]

Is that not just a thermostat with the floating brass plug that expands when hot?

like so?
http://ww2.gates.com/common/images/australia/ezlit/Bypass.gif

IDK what you mean about the floating brass plug, but the bypassing design means it has the lower 1/3rd of the thermostat in this pic.

[babbage]

Is that not just a thermostat with the floating brass plug that expands when hot?

like so?
http://ww2.gates.com/common/images/australia/ezlit/Bypass.gif


Nope wrong. Please stop giving bad advice on this site.

Wrong one on left - correct unit (Motorcraft RT1085) on the right.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/racecougar/90%20XR7/winter%20project%2006-07/tstatcomparo2.jpg

[ctrlraven]

Nope wrong. Please stop giving bad advice on this site.

Wrong one on left - correct unit (Motorcraft RT1085) on the right.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/racecougar/90%20XR7/winter%20project%2006-07/tstatcomparo2.jpg

Winner winner chicken dinner!

[MOTOWN]

Nope wrong. Please stop giving bad advice on this site.

Wrong one on left - correct unit (Motorcraft RT1085) on the right.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/racecougar/90%20XR7/winter%20project%2006-07/tstatcomparo2.jpg

You sir are absolutely correct!:bows::bows:

[marauderthis]

before the over heating issue began did you open up the reservoir cap and also remove the metal plug from the COT at the same time?

[JesseJames84]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys. I replaced the thermostat after the car was overheating. I know that the new one did not have the brass floater plug in it. Looked like a normal stat with spring on bottom. The fan does come on.

[JesseJames84]

No the car was overheating prior to me opening the reservoir or the access hole on the COT. I went to open the reservour after the car got warmed up. Let it cool down. Cap ddnt hiss, ddnt release pressure. Open the access hole and it was bone dry. Put fingers in reservoir bottle...ice cold. Changed the thermostat(like said, ddnt have the pics after seeing in posted pics). Changed the ware pump. Changed the belt. Car will get up to normal after running for about 25-30mins, get home and check coolant level after letting it cool down about 10-15mins, and it will hiss and spit out coolant (just a light twist of cap with rag, figured it was air being burped out the systm?? ). Drove the car shortly after, within about 15mins the needle shot north. Thats the basic current status of it

[babbage]

ok here is your instructions:

1. get and install the correct thermostat (as suspected you have the wrong one in there) - part number is: Motorcraft RT1085
2. while engine is cold fill reserve to near top. Don't open coolant reserve tank cap again.
3. while engine is cold Remove COT plug - fill to top with coolant, replace COT (finger tight)
4. start engine (let idle) for 20-30 seconds, turn off
5. remove COT plug, top off with coolant, replace COT (finger tight)
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you can't put more coolant in it. (about 3-4 times)
7. Tighten COT more than snug - but not too tight as you won't be able to open it
This should do it unless you have a leak in the cooling system somewhere.

Good luck!

[JesseJames84]

Awesome man, thank you for yur help. Im gona order a Motorcraft RT1085 . None of the local parts stores have tht specific thermostat ln stock. Found one on Amazon, car parts.com, rock auto, etc. Gona order it, once I get it, im doing your exact step by step and hoping to be done with it. Thanks again man. Btw, there are no present leaks at the moment so I hope to rule out the last one on the list.

[JBeezy]

I had zero issues when burping my system after doing cooling mod. I always put the front of the car on ramps or at least jack up the passenger side.

[fastblackmerc]

ok here is your instructions:

1. get and install the correct thermostat (as suspected you have the wrong one in there) - part number is: Motorcraft RT1085
2. while engine is cold fill reserve to near top. Don't open coolant reserve tank cap again.
3. while engine is cold Remove COT plug - fill to top with coolant, replace COT (finger tight)
4. start engine (let idle) for 20-30 seconds, turn off
5. remove COT plug, top off with coolant, replace COT (finger tight)
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you can't put more coolant in it. (about 3-4 times)
7. Apply some anti-sieze then tighten COT more than snug - but not too tight as you won't be able to open it
This should do it unless you have a leak in the cooling system somewhere.

Good luck!
See addition

[Bigdogjim]

I went through this last year, it turned out to be a clogged radiator. This was found out after my trusted shop of 15 years told me I blew the engine.:mad:

[JBeezy]

Now that I think about it, my buddy went thru something similar with a bad radiator cap on his 1990 Mustang 5.0..

[fesifisky]

ok here is your instructions:

1. get and install the correct thermostat (as suspected you have the wrong one in there) - part number is: Motorcraft RT1085
2. while engine is cold fill reserve to near top. Don't open coolant reserve tank cap again.
3. while engine is cold Remove COT plug - fill to top with coolant, replace COT (finger tight)
4. start engine (let idle) for 20-30 seconds, turn off
5. remove COT plug, top off with coolant, replace COT (finger tight)
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you can't put more coolant in it. (about 3-4 times)
7. Tighten COT more than snug - but not too tight as you won't be able to open it
This should do it unless you have a leak in the cooling system somewhere.

Good luck!


This for the win! Went through almost the same over the last year. Started overheating, added a lil coolant, then it would spike after the first 15minutes of running of the day then go normal but the fan wouldn't shut off. randomly it would just plain overheat. Got the tstat replaced(have to check, but likely not the correct one), new housing and it was better for awhile..no extended spikes but still went up for 30 seconds then to normal, again, fan stays on.

followed these steps and so much better. Need to replace the fan controller to make it quiet again, but temp remains normal and stable.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Correct unit is Motorcraft RT1110.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

RT1085 is discontinued.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk