PLEASE HELP!Losing my Mind!

[scott89bronco]

My `88 2.9 is running hotter+hotter.I repaired cars for a living+never saw a problem like this.I already put a new 180 degree t-stat in,brand new Explorer dual core radiator+new coolant.The pump appears to be pumping properly but I`m thinking of changing it.I`d like to avoid that since $ isn`t as plentiful as it used to be.There`s no obvious signs of a head gasket leak or cracked head.As soon as I can,I`ll add an electric pusher fan.One thing I noticed yesterday is the top of radiator`s hotter than bottom like a clogged radiator.Don`t understand that at all since it`s brand new.All I can say now is WTF?The A/C works or I`d remove the condenser to help airflow.Besides this,it`s a good little truck.As soon as this nitemare`s fixed I`m driving it to Utah.Hopefully before next year Thank you for anything that can help.

 

[freedom5]

My `88 2.9 is running hotter+hotter.I repaired cars for a living+never saw a problem like this.I already put a new 180 degree t-stat in,brand new Explorer dual core radiator+new coolant.The pump appears to be pumping properly but I`m thinking of changing it.I`d like to avoid that since $ isn`t as plentiful as it used to be.There`s no obvious signs of a head gasket leak or cracked head.As soon as I can,I`ll add an electric pusher fan.One thing I noticed yesterday is the top of radiator`s hotter than bottom like a clogged radiator.Don`t understand that at all since it`s brand new.All I can say now is WTF?The A/C works or I`d remove the condenser to help airflow.Besides this,it`s a good little truck.As soon as this nitemare`s fixed I`m driving it to Utah.Hopefully before next year Thank you for anything that can help.

A few years ago I had a new thermostat installed in my '87 and sometimes it would run hot while other times it seemed normal but seemed to be getting worse. I took it back to the shop where I had it done twice and they said everything was OK. I determined that the thermostat must be sticking closed so I replaced it myself and it has been fine ever since. For the price of a thermostat, I'd try changing it again. It could be that you just got a bad one like I did.

 

[scott89bronco]

I`ll try anything at this point.One thing for sure though.If I blow it up it`s getting a 5.0(unless I find a cheap 4.0 Explorer for parts)

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

sounds like the symptoms of a blown head gasket/cracked head to me. if the thermostat is installed properly and there is no flow through the radiator there is a good chance of either an air pocket stuck around the t-stat or a bad head gasket pumping air into that area and not allowing the t-stat to open.

so check for HOT air to be blowing from the fan to indicate flow, possibly you can remove the thermostat and just run it like that to keep it cool.

but in my experience the head gasket is probably bad. smell the coolant and see if it smells burnt or like exhaust

 

[scott89bronco]

I found the problem.Turns out my new thermostat does not even have the bleeder.After this fiasco,I will NEVER buy anything made in China.I realize that`s almost impossible these days.America needs to wake up+stop outsourcing everything!CHINA DOES NOT GIVE A F....K ABOUT THE USA!It won`t be long until EVERYTHING we use will Dollar Store quality.They`ve already poisoned our dogs,can`t be long until they poison us!Hey,China