Overheating

2000 FORD EXCURSION
146,000 MILES • 6.8L • V10 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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TAMARIJN1
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About a week ago, was going down the highway and the truck suddenly overheated. Since then I have done the following: changed thermostat which was sticking, flushed the system, new reservoir cap. New radiator as thermal scan did show some blockages in the old radiator. Pressure and vacuum test done to check for leaks, combustion gas check done. Water pump tested fine also. Now the vehicle will overheat every time. The only way to stop it from overheating is to run the heat which will control the temperature gauge and stop coolant from overflowing in the reservoir. That also tells me the heater core is fine as it puts out more heat than needed. Also have bled the system multiple times. No coolant leaks any place or anything coming out of the exhaust. Upper radiator hose always gets hot, but lower radiator hose is lukewarm at best even with the new radiator installed. Completely lost as to what the problem could be unless it is some type of sending unit however I am not getting any codes. Put a scan tool on it yesterday and let the vehicle get close to overheating. The scan tool read a temperature of 213 to 231°, however the gauge in the cluster ran close to redline almost the entire time except when I turned on the heat and it would lower back down to normal. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Jun 13, 2018 at 8:42 AM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

It sounds like the fan clutch is not working right. When the engine is overheating do you hear a roar from under the hood meaning the clutch fan is fully engaged? If not I would replace the clutch. Here is a video and guide and diagrams below of how to change unit out:

https://youtu.be/N_-MLVlBHk8

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-removal

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
Jun 14, 2018 at 10:42 AM
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TAMARIJN1
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Thank you Ken, I will try this tomorrow.
Jun 14, 2018 at 1:17 PM
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STRAILER
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This should fix the problem please let me know. :) Have a good weekend.
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:02 AM
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TAMARIJN1
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I need to thank you again. I believe it was the clutch fan and I ended up replacing the water pump to be safe.
Jun 15, 2018 at 12:36 PM
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STRAILER
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Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers, Ken
Jun 16, 2018 at 10:52 AM