86F1504EVER

I gave a 86 F-150 XL I bought new. It has just over 61k miles on it. The last few months its been getting really hot to the point of stuttering and cutting off. Its not using up and water. I looked in the radiator and the water is nice and green and churning but it still runs the gauge all the way over. I had the gauge checked but its reading right. Any ideas on my problem? I can't even drive it for more than a few miles. When the truck is moving the temp does drop some, but not much.

BTW,
Its a 302 AOD

Alan

Martian

Replace the thermostat

86F1504EVER

If the thermostat was bad would the water still be churning in the radiator?

Thanks

PerryB

If you can see obvious circulation its probably not the thermostat. Check the fan clutch, you may not be pulling any air through the radiator. Also make sure the rad. isn't plugged with bugs and dirt. If its overheated to the point of quitting ( sounds like this has happened multiple times) you may well have blown head gaskets at this point.

86F1504EVER

Ok.. I don't see any bugs or stuff in my radiator. And the oil is clean and its not skipping. But the fan clutch looks to be OK, I mean it pulling air but I don't know at road rpm what the fan clutch is doing. Everything on this truck is original equipment.

lewissa81

I replace the thermostat and flush the system. Especially if it's original. That's cheap, easy and is preventative maintenance for some people.
Hold a piece of paper up to the radiator and see if the fan clutch is pulling enough to hold the paper. If not, you probably need to replace it. When the engine is warm (but not running) check to see how hard it is to turn the fan blades. There should be a fair amount of resistance. If it's easy, replace the fan clutch.

Martian

It could still churn but not be not opening all the way but I agree with the others as well, check airflow and a flush probably wouldn't kill you

86F1504EVER

Ok, Thanks guys. I will flush it today and check the fans pull.