1986 Ford Thunderbird steam and gurgle

1986 FORD THUNDERBIRD
200,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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UGLIESTKTTY
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The other day when I pulled into my drive and turned off my engine my 1986 Thunderbird made a gurgle noise and steam poured out of the front passenger side just behind the radiator. The noise it made was akin to the glub glub sound that one would expect to hear from an inverted 1 litre bottle. My car has never over heated, there is no moisture in the oil, and steam is never visible in the exhaust except directly after the car has been started on a very cold day. It has never been difficult to start or struggled to run.
Dec 24, 2010 at 8:33 PM
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DOCFIXIT
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Suspect thermostat is stuck shut
Dec 24, 2010 at 8:46 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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My Mom has the same car...I've kept it going for years!

I fell the same as "Doc"

I might Add---make sure your belt is still on also!

The Medic
Dec 25, 2010 at 4:17 AM
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UGLIESTKTTY
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Thank you so much for your help. I love my Thunderbird, it has been a great car so far. I'm so happy that I have been able to keep it running well, and your advice was very useful.
Dec 26, 2010 at 10:58 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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Well----What was your EZ fix?

The Medic
Dec 26, 2010 at 11:29 PM
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UGLIESTKTTY
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Hah, complete bummer actually. I was all excited that I might just need to replace my T-stat. Everyone I know totally agreed with you on that one. But my brother and I ran the car and the thermostat came on, and no steam and no funny noise. I live in a very rural area so we drove it to the nearest town a couple times which is about ten miles out. Again no steam, no gurgle. No over heating, nothing. Today I took it on a drive, about 75 miles, to a friend's place. Runs just the same as ever. I may have my mechanic check it just to verify what the issue may be.
Dec 27, 2010 at 10:23 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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It might be teasing you!

Replace it anyway--before you are in a bad situation at a bad time!

Especially if its been forever....I change mine every Spring---Need to--or not.........Its a constantly moving, critical part, and very inexpensive!

The Medic
Dec 28, 2010 at 3:05 AM