[Tevin]

hi everybody i have a question. i started my car this morning (it was quite cold out) and i drove it to work, got a couple miles and the engine was heating up very rapidly. i pulled over and shut it off to let the engine cool off for about 15min. then i started and it happened again after about10min of driving. so i pulled into a buddy's house and let it cool off for another 15min then when i started it again, it started shaking violently. the whole car was shaking really bad and i'm not sure what's wrong with her now. please help! i'm gonna go back to my car to put some anifreeze in it but please any suggestions on what is wrong with it? why it shakes so bad?

[xtreme 2]

going to need more info than this. Is this the first time it has happened? My initial thought is that is got hot to the point the ECU is pulling some crazy timing, causing it to stumble.

Check your coolant levels, and pull your dipstick and see if the oil is milky (like chocolate milk).

Did you notice any water under the car to make it look like the water pump let loose?

[Tevin]

it is the first time it's happened since i owned it, since 2 years.

i'll check the coolant levels.

i didn't see any water under the car, but it was very dark this morning and i wasn't checking anyways. but i will go see if it did at all. my car is 25min away, i left it in my friends driveway cause i didn't want to drive it when it shook hard like that. going to check it out now and report back. thanks!

[xtreme 2]

ok, cool.

[Tevin]

sorry it's a 2000 v6 mustang. no mods at all, comploetely stock

[mustangmike!]

was it cold enough to freeze stuff ? and do you ahve enough anti freeze for that ?

And as for the issue, I hope you haven't had further damage. But the very first thing Id check is coolant leve and antifreeze. Second is the thermostat. Most likely this is your cause.

Very common thing to go out in any vehicle.
Cheap fix too.

two bolts hold it in, it lies where your upper radiator hose connects to the engine. Un bolt it. Watch coolant spill all over the place for a second. Clean up the surfaces and get any junk off them for the new gasket to seal. 99% of t stats come w/ new gasket, but be sure to ask when buying. Stant is a good brand or just get Ford (motorcraft) parts. stock is like 193*, but if they have a 180* your car will like you more especially in the summer. Same price, for both will be around 5$. Put it in the correct direction, put on gasket, line up, bolt on. Top of coolant, done.

[goren813]

Do all the above. Also check if there's any coolant in the actual engine bay. If so, you may need to replace radiator cap.