Thermostat trouble

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Tech5656 - 27 May 2005 01:15 GMT

I have a 98 4.0l Explorer Sport, I've had 3 thermostat's go bad. I had the
last one replaced by the dealership along with a sensor and some melted
tubing. What prompted me to pull over was the check engine light even though
the temp gauge read normal (midpoint) A month after it was replaced I felt
the top and bottom hoses and they were only warm after driving 15 miles to
work (the engine was hot, I live in Florida). Temp gauge read normal so I
know not to trust it.

I took the thermostat out, now the hoses are hot as I would expect. I don't
like the idea of running without the thermostat but I don't want to lock up
my engine either.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

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mb99usa@msn.com - 27 May 2005 14:49 GMT

I recently had the 4.0L SOHC engine replaced in my 97 XLT. The mechanic
warned me about not using after market thermostats as they do not work
for some reason. He said it needs to be a direct Ford replacement. This
is coming from an idependent garage who doe shis best to avoid working
with the dealerships. Just thought I'd pass the info along.

MB

> I have a 98 4.0l Explorer Sport, I've had 3 thermostat's go bad. I had the
> last one replaced by the dealership along with a sensor and some melted
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thanks

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Ted - 27 May 2005 15:12 GMT

Really just a guess but is it being installed the right side up? If
done wrong once, maybe the trend continued thru the next 2 changes. I
replaced mine in a 95 OHV V6 (90k) with a good aftermarket and had good
luck at 120k. Luckily when mine failed, it was stuck open and I
couldn't get any heat in winter.

> I recently had the 4.0L SOHC engine replaced in my 97 XLT. The mechanic
> warned me about not using after market thermostats as they do not work
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> >
> > Thanks

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S.P. - 28 May 2005 13:22 GMT

I had 2 (94 V6) stick open. Stant seems to last longer berfore failing than
FoMoCO, IMHO. Yes, it is possible to install upside down.

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Mike Iglesias - 28 May 2005 16:14 GMT

>I had 2 (94 V6) stick open. Stant seems to last longer berfore failing than
>FoMoCO, IMHO. Yes, it is possible to install upside down.

My experience with the Stant was the same - it lasted much longer than OEM.

Signature

Mike Iglesias Email: iglesias@draco.acs.uci.edu
University of California, Irvine phone: 949-824-6926
Network & Academic Computing Services FAX: 949-824-2069

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Tech5656 - 28 May 2005 16:48 GMT

"Mike Iglesias" <iglesias@draco.acs.uci.edu> :
I had 2 (94 V6) stick open. Stant seems to last longer berfore failing than
FoMoCO, IMHO. Yes, it is possible to install upside down.

My experience with the Stant was the same - it lasted much longer than OEM.

> Mike Iglesias Email:
> iglesias@draco.acs.uci.edu
> University of California, Irvine phone: 949-824-6926
> Network & Academic Computing Services FAX: 949-824-2069

I asked the service advisor at the dealership to have the mechanic check the
direction of the thermostat. If memory serves correct the spring went into
the housing towards the block. The first thermostat was Ford as it was
original 2nd was aftermarket and this last one that went bad was a Ford
thermostat.
Thanks for the input

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