[angf117]

hi all,
i have a 95 4.6 lx....just recently the temperature gauge has started jumping erratically from normal to borderline high...i have checked hoses...no leaks....i have checked water punp..no noise or leaks....i havent checked the thermostat<changed it> or the sending unit??...any info will help before i start process of elimination replacing things...and happy new year all and have a gr8 week!
tsgt ricky martin,u.s.a.f.

 

[Rolling-Thunder]

could be the sending unit.

There are two of them. One is for the gauge, the other is for the computer. The one for the gauge is located on the drivers side of the intake, near the front.

No symptoms other than the guage?

 

[angf117]

yes once in awhile i smell antifreeze but cannot find a leak or any wetness anywhere! weird! ty for the help

 

[95xbird]

The one for the gauge is on the passenger side.

 

[master486]

yes once in awhile i smell antifreeze but cannot find a leak or any wetness anywhere! weird! ty for the help

Do you smell it inside or outside the car? If inside, it could be the heater core...

 

[angf117]

i smell it outside the car but not inside...and theres no leaks and i forgot to say.....you know that plastic cap<radiator tank> that you're not supposed to take off of when the engines hot like a radiator?......well,i take it off and theres no pressure.......in other words the thing doesnt blow off like i thought it would......another added mystery.....

 

[master486]

Hmm...I'd say check all the hose clamps and hoses for leaks, especially the heater hoses near the firewall. You might also have a radiator leak. Also check the water pump and timing cover for any traces of coolant.

 

[angf117]

someone told me my thermostat might be sticking shut...what do you think?

 

[FordMan77]

I would think that if the thermostat was stuck shut then it would build up pressure. I'm thinking you may have a side tank leak on the radiator. The plastic tanks like to leak when they heat up, then close back up when the pressure is gone and they cool off. I know I chased a mystery leak for 2 months before I finally saw the pass. side tank leaking ever so slightly.

Jay

 

[sinhumane]

i still had pressure... but the HG went. in three cylinders.. turned out it was a temp sensor of some sort.. then it make a leaky hg worse, and blew out two more cylinders. it could be millions of things.. i would check your radiator for leaks, check, and/or replace the temp sensors... and check to see if the fan is still running.

 

[angf117]

are you talking about that plastic side tank? thanks! im at my wits end...i smell radiator fluid on the outside<but not on the inside> of the car......and the fan comes on....i cannot find a leak...guess when it gets above 8 degrees outside ill check more thoroughly!...lol

 

[angf117]

btw...forgive my stupidity...but whats hg?

 

[master486]

He's talking about the plastic tank on the side of the radiator, not the reservior by the battery. Look carefully everywhere for the green stuff. It might be one heck of a search, but if you smell it, you'll eventually find it.

HG=Head Gasket