New Thermostat...now smoking antifreeze??

[jodom15sc]

ok so i installed a new thermostat about 1 week ago and it ran fine a day after i installed it. As i read on the sight it says it takes time for them to adjust, so i understand that. BUT tonight, driving home after hanging out with some friends and i just happen to look at the Temp gauge, and what do you know, its full on HOT!, I hit the brake and slowed down and the temp gauge fell. I got home not even 2 mins later, popped the hood and checked where installed thermostat to see if leaking and dry as a whistle. I pop the reservoir tank and theres an ok bit ok antifreeze in there BUT THERES SMOKE coming out, so for some reason im assuming the antifreeze is getting to hot haha?? any ideas? im just tryin to fix it without takin it to the shop

 

[McCormack]

Are you sure that you had enough coolant in your engine after you installed the new 'stat? After installing the new 'stat you need to fill up your radiator and catch tank with coolant, and then you need run your engine and get it hot enough to open the 'stat up. As your engine block fills up with coolant your radiator's coolant level will drop, and you'll have to top the radiator off again. After that take the truck for a short drive, and when you get back check the radiator once more to make sure that it's full.

If you've done all that and your truck is still having cooling problems, then the first thing I would do is to check your 'stat to see if it's opening at the correct temp - heat the 'stat up in a pan full of water on your kitchen stove, and use a thermometer to see if the 'stat is opening up at the correct temp.
If you don't feel like messing with testing your present 'stat then you can just slap another new 'stat into your truck to see if that cures the problem.

 

[fordboi415]

Sounds like it is sticking closed then openeing, this is common when thermostats go bad mine would do the same thing before I started running fail safe thermostats I would replace it just to be safe

 

[WNY964x4]

i would first check the coolant level , did you loose any when you replaced the stat ?
i ran into the same problem when i refilled my truck after the engine swap , or after you run it and get it warm , shut it off , take a rag , and open the radiator cap to the first click , do not remove it completely , this will relieve so of the air that may have built up in the system , and after letting it cool , check your fluid level

if that does not work , check the stat for normal operation , or just replace it , i think napa makes the best stat

 

[jodom15sc]

ok, well ima test it out on the way to work and school next 2 days and keep checkin it, it it goes hot again ill just put a new stat in again

 

[88gt]

he ya'll, there was a recent thread about the tstat goin bad and all the things you are all talking about. mutant pony said that the air in the 3.0 block gets trapped and causes steam in the engine. the steam effects the temper of the spring on the tstat and ruins it, thus the replacements of them so often. his resolution to that problem is get a new one or one that isnt bad yet and drill a 1/16 hole in it where the coolant can pass and the hole not be covered be the tstat mounting flange.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35855 theres the link to that thread if you want to read it.

 

[jodom15sc]

im gonna assume theres air in my system....it ran great it was warm to normal temp, i checked and no antifreeze in reservoir, then drove a little bit later and smelt something, and guess what...reservoir tank was overflowing...ima get a new 'stat and try to drill a hole and see how it goes

if it goes bad, to the dealership i shall go...any guess-estimate on how much that would be as a back up plan??

 

[McCormack]

It sounds to me like you've got something more serious going on than just air in the system, and it wouldn't surprise me if you've got a head gasket going bad.