Cooling Issue(s)...

Lefty · December 1st, 2008, 10:25 AM

Posted this in the "96-98" section as well, but this section seems to get more traffic...

96' GT, 5-spd.

My GT used to run at the perfect normal temp. The temp gauge needle used to be right on in the middle. Now I just noticed a couple of weeks ago that it is running probably about an eighth on an inch lower from half towards the colder side. And it stays there. Even after about 30 minutes of driving. THEN...sometimes while I'm driving it'll go up to half and keep hauling ass up about another eighth of an inch ABOVE the middle towards the warm side. Doesn't go any hotter. It'll stay up there for about 30-40 seconds then go back down to the "colder" side of the gauge like I mentioned earlier. So I wouldn't say it's overheating, but it is a weird issue. Any suggestions of what could be going on here??? I put a new manifold on (w/ the aluminum crossover) because my stock manifold blew due to the shitty coolant (plastic) crossover. When I replaced the manifold about 5k miles ago I *DID* replace the thermostat. Any help, suggestions, or idears would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

-Troy

Randy Stinchcomb · December 1st, 2008, 10:51 AM

this is on a 1996 Gt, right?
is the replacement intake a PI or Non-Pi?
was the thermostat oem or aftermarket and what temp?

Lefty · December 1st, 2008, 10:53 AM

Hey randy thanks for the quick response. It's a 96 GT, the replacement intake was a non-pi. I got it from summit and it was a direct ford replacement (just with the new aluminum coolant crossover, and not the plastic). I used the new thermostat and o-ring that came with the the new manifold.

Randy Stinchcomb · December 1st, 2008, 11:00 AM

well, could be a bad temp sensor, thats prob the cheapest and easiest thing to replace...
could also be a bad thermostat, esp if it's not an oem thermo...

RyanGT · December 1st, 2008, 11:57 AM

Im with randy on this. Because if is changing so rapidly i would have to say it is the coolant temp sensor, and it is really ok. This would be a cheap thing to start at anyways. Next thermo, just to know that wouldn't be the problem (then you have a spare).

What degree thermostat do you have in? Stock is 210 (in the pi engines not sure about yours should be same). If you go 180 you would see a little difference in the gauge, and a big one with 160 (too low). With it jumping (if not the sensor) it acts like it doesnt know when to open/close so to speak.

Could also be water pump (bad flow or something). But i would check that last. You could also flush the cooling system since thats cheap too (if you do yourself). Just buy a bottle and read directions.

superbeef1000 · December 1st, 2008, 01:02 PM

sounds like the t stat is stuck open

Lefty · December 1st, 2008, 01:11 PM

I am going to try and post a pic up shortly of the temp and where it normally stays at...

Lefty · December 1st, 2008, 01:15 PM

This is a pic where it normally is at now. It used to never be like this. It used to sit right in the middle and now it sits low like this. Then sometimes it'll shoot up to the right edge of the "M" and stay there for about 30 seconds or so then shoot back down to where it is in the pic...

RyanGT · December 1st, 2008, 01:27 PM

What degree thermostat do you have? That looks to be a 160 in pic. Mine is slightly above that and its a 180. (little below middle).

Replace the coolant temp sensor, its easy to get to. And if problem is still there get a good 180 thermostat.

Lefty · December 1st, 2008, 01:35 PM

My question is why after so little miles? It just randomly one day starting staying down there...it's never been down there before. Only when warming up; once warmed up it would stay smack dab in the middle...

RyanGT · December 1st, 2008, 01:40 PM

No idea, stuff breaks. Or sometimes you get a lemon and it goes bad FAST. Happened to me before.

These are both relatively cheap fixes, be thankful

Lefty · December 1st, 2008, 01:41 PM

This car has had little to zero problems. The only main problem was the manifold blowing but that was with the plastic crossover, not the aluminum. Other than that she's been great

December 1st, 2008, 10:25 AM	#1
Lefty The Doctor '01 Cobra Vert. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 27,386 iTrader: 11 reviews	Cooling Issue(s)... Posted this in the "96-98" section as well, but this section seems to get more traffic... 96' GT, 5-spd. My GT used to run at the perfect normal temp. The temp gauge needle used to be right on in the middle. Now I just noticed a couple of weeks ago that it is running probably about an eighth on an inch lower from half towards the colder side. And it stays there. Even after about 30 minutes of driving. THEN...sometimes while I'm driving it'll go up to half and keep hauling ass up about another eighth of an inch ABOVE the middle towards the warm side. Doesn't go any hotter. It'll stay up there for about 30-40 seconds then go back down to the "colder" side of the gauge like I mentioned earlier. So I wouldn't say it's overheating, but it is a weird issue. Any suggestions of what could be going on here??? I put a new manifold on (w/ the aluminum crossover) because my stock manifold blew due to the shitty coolant (plastic) crossover. When I replaced the manifold about 5k miles ago I DID replace the thermostat. Any help, suggestions, or idears would be appreciated. Thanks guys! -Troy __________________ 2008 Acura TL Type-S (the daily) 2006 Yamaha R6 50th Anniversary Edition (the other toy)

December 1st, 2008, 10:51 AM	#2
Randy Stinchcomb Regular 1996 Mustang GT coupe 11.99@113.93mph Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Randallstown, Md Posts: 318 iTrader: 0 reviews	this is on a 1996 Gt, right? is the replacement intake a PI or Non-Pi? was the thermostat oem or aftermarket and what temp? __________________ *Thumbdinger.com* Fish With Protection

December 1st, 2008, 10:53 AM	#3
Lefty The Doctor '01 Cobra Vert. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 27,386 iTrader: 11 reviews	Hey randy thanks for the quick response. It's a 96 GT, the replacement intake was a non-pi. I got it from summit and it was a direct ford replacement (just with the new aluminum coolant crossover, and not the plastic). I used the new thermostat and o-ring that came with the the new manifold. __________________ 2008 Acura TL Type-S (the daily) 2006 Yamaha R6 50th Anniversary Edition (the other toy)

December 1st, 2008, 11:00 AM	#4
Randy Stinchcomb Regular 1996 Mustang GT coupe 11.99@113.93mph Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Randallstown, Md Posts: 318 iTrader: 0 reviews	well, could be a bad temp sensor, thats prob the cheapest and easiest thing to replace... could also be a bad thermostat, esp if it's not an oem thermo... __________________ *Thumbdinger.com* Fish With Protection

December 1st, 2008, 11:57 AM	#5
RyanGT MM Fanatic 2000 GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 4,258 iTrader: 4 reviews	Im with randy on this. Because if is changing so rapidly i would have to say it is the coolant temp sensor, and it is really ok. This would be a cheap thing to start at anyways. Next thermo, just to know that wouldn't be the problem (then you have a spare). What degree thermostat do you have in? Stock is 210 (in the pi engines not sure about yours should be same). If you go 180 you would see a little difference in the gauge, and a big one with 160 (too low). With it jumping (if not the sensor) it acts like it doesnt know when to open/close so to speak. Could also be water pump (bad flow or something). But i would check that last. You could also flush the cooling system since thats cheap too (if you do yourself). Just buy a bottle and read directions. __________________ 2000 Black convertible GT: KB 15psi, and other goodies... 1971 Datsun 240 z: Header and rebuilt motor. (The DD)

December 1st, 2008, 01:02 PM	#6
superbeef1000 Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: mesa , arizona Posts: 1,475 iTrader: 2 reviews	sounds like the t stat is stuck open __________________ a bunch of stuff to make my car faster http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...e-member-1497/

December 1st, 2008, 01:11 PM	#7
Lefty The Doctor '01 Cobra Vert. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 27,386 iTrader: 11 reviews	I am going to try and post a pic up shortly of the temp and where it normally stays at... __________________ 2008 Acura TL Type-S (the daily) 2006 Yamaha R6 50th Anniversary Edition (the other toy)

December 1st, 2008, 01:15 PM	#8
Lefty The Doctor '01 Cobra Vert. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 27,386 iTrader: 11 reviews	This is a pic where it normally is at now. It used to never be like this. It used to sit right in the middle and now it sits low like this. Then sometimes it'll shoot up to the right edge of the "M" and stay there for about 30 seconds or so then shoot back down to where it is in the pic... Attached Thumbnails __________________ 2008 Acura TL Type-S (the daily) 2006 Yamaha R6 50th Anniversary Edition (the other toy)

December 1st, 2008, 01:27 PM	#9
RyanGT MM Fanatic 2000 GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 4,258 iTrader: 4 reviews	What degree thermostat do you have? That looks to be a 160 in pic. Mine is slightly above that and its a 180. (little below middle). Replace the coolant temp sensor, its easy to get to. And if problem is still there get a good 180 thermostat. __________________ 2000 Black convertible GT: KB 15psi, and other goodies... 1971 Datsun 240 z: Header and rebuilt motor. (The DD)

December 1st, 2008, 01:35 PM	#10
Lefty The Doctor '01 Cobra Vert. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 27,386 iTrader: 11 reviews	My question is why after so little miles? It just randomly one day starting staying down there...it's never been down there before. Only when warming up; once warmed up it would stay smack dab in the middle... __________________ 2008 Acura TL Type-S (the daily) 2006 Yamaha R6 50th Anniversary Edition (the other toy)

December 1st, 2008, 01:40 PM	#11
RyanGT MM Fanatic 2000 GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 4,258 iTrader: 4 reviews	No idea, stuff breaks. Or sometimes you get a lemon and it goes bad FAST. Happened to me before. These are both relatively cheap fixes, be thankful __________________ 2000 Black convertible GT: KB 15psi, and other goodies... 1971 Datsun 240 z: Header and rebuilt motor. (The DD)

December 1st, 2008, 01:41 PM	#12
Lefty The Doctor '01 Cobra Vert. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 27,386 iTrader: 11 reviews	This car has had little to zero problems. The only main problem was the manifold blowing but that was with the plastic crossover, not the aluminum. Other than that she's been great __________________ 2008 Acura TL Type-S (the daily) 2006 Yamaha R6 50th Anniversary Edition (the other toy)

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