94 B3000 Still having Gremlins

[B3000SE]

I just did a Compression Test This Morning it was spot on 142 across all cylinders,Replaced the Thermostat,did a flush,made sure all the air bubbles were out of the system by running it with the Rad Cap Off,I even re Gapped the Plugs,Everything is as it should be.I took a 60 mile round trip on a Flat highway,and on the way back I turned on The A/c(85 Degrees outside) and almost instantly the temp gauge took off toward the hot mark,This Truck Is driving me crazy ! It runs 10 Degrees hotter off of The middle and Takes forever to warm up..... I am stumped ! Does Anyone have any Suggestions to help me from losing my mind ? Thank you for anyone willing to take the time to throw some Ideas at me........

 

[Big Jim M]

For starters put a new temp sender in it. Is the thermostat a 1958 as it should be? You say took off toward the hot mark.. did it boil over? Do you have a clutch fan? Is it in good condition.
Big Jim

 

[Big Jim M]

For starters put a new temp sender in it. Is the thermostat a 1958 as it should be? You say took off toward the hot mark.. did it boil over? Do you have a clutch fan? Is it in good condition.
Big Jim

I forgot to add: Did you run the heater while filling it with coolant? If not then there is still air in the system which might account for the variation in temperature.
Big JIm

 

[B3000SE]

Thanks Big JIm...I had the Engiine Running and the heater Cranked when re filling and replaced the Thermostat with a stock 195 Degree,It didnt boil over when I was on the road i didnt let it get that far before I shut off the A/c,once I shut it down the temp went back down to a little over half....And the clutch fan isn't showing signs of oil leaks and when I spin it,It spins for a spit second and catches so I am assuming its functioning properly.And I do Not Have any check engine lights on,This Little Truck Has some issues,One day it will drive great for a small trip and other days it just plain fights me and makes me take it home because I don't want to be stranded

 

[B3000SE]

It runs hot all the time having the A/c on just makes it worse.Its an All Factory Truck I bought from the original owners so the A/c unit was not added and I had Ford check the VIN to make sure there wasnt a recall for a similar problem and the guy told me every option the truck came with Which wasnt much Its Manual everything inside.It even does all this mess in the winter time,I watched it run hot when it was snowing LOL It is making my hair fall out though he he

 

[Big Jim M]

So all you really KNOW about the temperature is the gauge is saying it is over normal.. I think I'd spend the twelve bucks and put a new sender in there just to see if the present one is too touchy.
At least you would know then that there is a problem.
Overheating can be only a few things.
Not enough coolant.
Bad thermostat.
Partially stopped up radiator.
Timing retarded..
Vanes in the pump rusted away..rare but happens.
Also I have seen enough bugs in the radiator to cause overheating.
Oh yeah, I've seen thermostats installed upside down do just about what you describe.
Big Jim

 

[midmob3000]

heater cores can cause a restriction in the cooling system to cause over heating. the water pump could not be flowing enough and when you turn the a/c on it demands more from the engine then over heats. does it over heat with the a/c on sitting in the drive way?

 

[B3000SE]

It will not overheat sitting in the driveway.It seems to be only When I am running down the highway with or without the A/c On, some days it runs great with no issues at all..... I Called O'Rielly today and its $18 for One sender and like $5 for the other I think I will just pick the parts up and try it....If not It has to be a water pump which was $70

 

[B3000SE]

Ok here's another Kicker...I just drove My truck 2 miles on a round trip to get my kids from school,I let it warm up completely before I left, It ran Fantastic Better Than Ive ever seen it ! However,when I pulled into the driveway the Temp gauge shot from half almost to cold Immediately and my fuel gauge went from a little less than half to way past full !? and I notice when I park it,I popped the gas pedal and the Gearshift lever moves all the way into park,It always has done this,This Little truck has given me more problems in 3 months than Ive ever had with any vehicle...Any Ideas guys ?

 

[TomB1269]

Check your grounds.........Sounds like a bad one in the dash, check the engine grounding straps as well. And it still sounds if you have air in the cooling system.