A few days ago I went mudding in my 2003 5.4L and got the radiator caked in mud. Ever since then my engine has been overheating so I sprayed the radiator completely clean, flushed the radiator, and put all new fluids in and nothing is orking. I think it might be that my thermostat is malfunctioning due to the mud that i might have missed but I dont know where it is. Any help would be great!

Thanks alot!

 

Don't think thermostat operation would be affected - the cooling system is closed and shouldn't be contaminated by mud.

If the radiator fins are clean - suggest to take a look at the coolant sensor (not shorted out with mud), the radiator fan running properly (don't know if electric fan or engine-driven on this vintage), and fan belt not slipping (for water pump operation)?

Does the motor 'feel' hotter than normal?

 

its really weird... If I start it cold i can go for about 7 miles and all of a sudden the temperature gauge will spike and then the truck overheats... once that happens Im screwed and I have to limp back home. I was thinking something along the lines of a sensor not turning on but I have no clue where one on this truck might be.. the owners manual has NO INFO and I havnt gotten a book on my truck yet. I refuse to take my truck to a shop unless I absolutely have to but its looking like thats what is going to have to happen unless someone has another Idea? ...

 

What mix did you put in there?

 

I'm not familiar with the newer setups - but the spiking temperature thing jogged my memory on a similar problem I had with a Honda (yes, I have been to the dark side) - making sure all the air is out of the cooling system - there was a special bleed port near the upper coolant outlet on the motor since it was physically higher than the radiator. Just a WAG (wild-a**ed guess).

 

I think you are right. Try bleeding out the system agina and refilling it. There could have been a blockage somewhere and now it broke free so you have a air pocket in there.

 

thanks guys for the help. ill try it out and let you know how it goes!!

 

well guys.. thanks for the advice... I took my radiator cover off and sprayed the rest of the 5 tons of mud off that was on there and flushed the radiator one more time... It seems to have worked.. I drove it around for about an hour and all seemed fine.. I was in line at Wendys drive through though and it started to overheat again. I turned it off and let it cool off for about five minutes then drove it home... I let it sit for about 15 minutes but it didnt do it again so maybe it was just my imagination...!!! Thanks again for the help!

 

Try Taking The Fan Shroud Off. I Beat The Corners On The Inside Are Caked With Mud. That Has Happened To Me On My Rhino Numerous Times.

 

You may have had a air pocket from the refill of the radiator. Try releasing the pressure a couple of times to bleed the air out.