coolant mystery

[blue*93]

hello, i've been having problems with my rad, heaters off kilter, temp gage is wacky (stays really low, except when slow trafficking with heat fan off, and coolant is overflowing into res. but not back! just had the rads press. tested and it's high at 18, from the reg. 14 that they told me it should be. just flushed the system 2 weeks ago, really good. i think its a head gasket, but i'm wondering if it might be an easier fix. my daily driver really needs help!
i'll probly have to replace t-stat, rad hoses need it, hell, my rad itself doesn't look all that hot! but head gasket... that'll take the cake. thanks for ur time, i'm gonna go start spraying some penatrant on those bolts...

[jglutz]

i'll probly have to replace t-stat

Bingo!

The erratic gauge...especially if quick changes...is a different problem.

[hotfordcat]

hello, i've been having problems with my rad, heaters off kilter, temp gage is wacky (stays really low, except when slow trafficking with heat fan off, and coolant is overflowing into res. but not back! just had the rads press. tested and it's high at 18, from the reg. 14 that they told me it should be. just flushed the system 2 weeks ago, really good. i think its a head gasket, but i'm wondering if it might be an easier fix. my daily driver really needs help!
i'll probly have to replace t-stat, rad hoses need it, hell, my rad itself doesn't look all that hot! but head gasket... that'll take the cake. thanks for ur time, i'm gonna go start spraying some penatrant on those bolts...

Get the correct T-stat. An OTC one won't work right. Get one from a Ford dealer or from a Mazda dealer. 1986 323 works great. Ford # is F1CZ-8575-A, Motorcraft # is RT-1073, and the Mazda # is 8AK1-15-171-9U. Hope this helps.

Chuck

[blue*93]

you guys rock, i've managed to trouble shoot a dozen problems just from this forum. appreciate the info. the gauge is not too erratic, just shoots up pretty quick if i'm in traffic too long w/o the heater on, and other wise stays pretty low. after half hour reg. driving w/o heater on it stays a pretty steady 1/4 temp. flushing the rad. helped, but with the drastic weather changes here in calgary, it's different every day. and with the coolant being cloudy already, i'm thinking i'll start that head gasket... don't think it'd be a good idea to swap the t-stat b-4 the head, not sure though. cheers

[Pu241]

Are you sure your radiator fan is working!
My wifes car used to do that after driving up the mountain to our house.
5 minutes later it would puke coolant from the overflow tube.
This usually after it was in the garage and we had gone into the house.
Later I would find the puddle of coolant on the garage floor.
Ran fine on the highway, only issue is as you stated temp would rise quickly in slow or stop and go traffic.
Swapped out the seized fan and ran fine.
Just check to see if the fan is functional and that the temp switch on the head that controls the fan is connected and working properly.

[blue*93]

thanks, Pu241. checked the fan about a month ago, but i'll see if it's still working. never found any leaking, 'though been seeing some new white residue here and there... probly just salt though, spring and all that. man no one around here has the head gasket for less than $48. and they want around $200 for the kit. still have a valve c. gasket from when i put in the engine though and that mufflers gonna need some tlc pretty soon here... dang cars. i luv 'em!

[WmWatt]

You can test the t-stat by putting it in a pan of water on the stove to see if it opens.
I have a 1-holer after market t-sata in my Festiva and it's okay.
I still have the original 2-holer which I think is still good (my NOx problem was a dirty EGR valve
not the t-stat) but to me it's not worth the trouble to put it back in.
It really helps on cold days to plug in the block heater an hour or so before starting the engine.
I find even plugging it in for 15 min helps.

[blue*93]

well after one week of afterworking it, i got the festiva up and running again. new t-stat, new head and vc gaskets, oil filter, alt belt, right fender splash guard, etc. just about to take it for a spin, after i check fluid levels again whoaooooo what a feelin........ what a rushshshshshh haha, thanks for your support, i would've lost it otherwise. cheers

[jglutz]

The steets of Calgary just got a little sweeter!

[blue*93]

yeah, those er my thoughts exactly Joe! thermostat i installed doesn't seem to be working. identical to the one in b4, but lower rad hose is cold after lotsa driving and upper is only slightly warm near the engine... with heater on gets up to a bit past 2/3 on the gauge. troubleshooting tomorrow... -32 with windchill is a little too cold fer us outdoor workers.

[JoDan]

maybe the t-stat you got opens as at lower temp than recommended

[blue*93]

mm, good call. mcparts told me its for a stiva, but... i think i could chaeck that on a stove with a thermometer (thanks william)

[fastivaca]

Jordan, someone has already posted the OEM part numbers for the correct t-stat. I had the same issues that almost all went away when I replaced the McParts version with the proper one. Here's what it should look like





Hope that helps

[blue*93]

thanks Ian. yeah i took those parts #s to mcparts and dude said he had the ford one... apparently i walk around w a "give me the wrong t-stat" sign on my back though, cuz that's def. not what he gave me. i'll try ford dealership i guess. although i do hold auto value in high esteem. maybe i'll try there first.

[FestYboy]

naw, dealer is the only place you'll get the right one.