truck is overheating

55

Asked by fordowner96 Oct 01, 2015 at 04:43 PM about the 1996 Ford F-150 XL LB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

okay i just finished up repairing my truck 96 ford f150 5.0L

I replaced the engine/coolant sensor, the thermostat, water pump, new
antifreeze (right mixture) filled it up, let it run for about 3 minutes. took it
down the block, idled for a few moments with the heat on. the temp guage
with from the low position before the "n" of normal to now being between
the "r" and "m" of normal. as soon as i started to drive back to the house it
spiked in tempture to being at the "a" and "l"...i started to smell something it
didnt smell like antifreeze, but as soon as i turned off the heat the temp
guage went down to the "m" and the "r" and the smell stopped.  any advice
or suggestions?

would it be something to do with the heating and cooling.....

3 Answers

55

i let the truck cool down. added more antifreeze, topping it off. started it up, let it idle in the drive way...checked for leaks. none. everything is tight and where it needs to be. i drove the truck WITHOUT HAVING THE HEAT ON and the truck temp guage stayed between the "r" and "m" of the word normal on the guage. i drove it around the block, did some stop and goes, idled talking to some friends all for about 10 minutes and it remained between the r and m....also there was no smell this time. .so my question is since i didnt turn the heat/ac on is that the source of the overheating?

5 people found this helpful.
73,500

As long at the temp gauge is somewhere in the "normal range" you're OK. From a anti-freeze change (cold) to normal operating temp normally takes more then three minutes. The engine has to heat up sufficiently for the thermostat to open. When it opens it pulls coolant into an otherwise empty block. Naturally, this will cause the level to decrease in the radiator. Once more coolant is added the engine should operate correctly. If the smell went away, there is a possibility you spilled anti-freeze on the engine, especially if you changed the water pump and thermostat. What you were smelling was possibly the coolant being burnt off the block.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

F-150

Looking for a Used F-150 in your area?

CarGurus has 14,066 nationwide F-150 listings starting at $3,995.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    41,970
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    16,010
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    15,540
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used GMC Sierra 1500
144 Great Deals out of 8,282 listings starting at $2,888
Used Toyota Tacoma
42 Great Deals out of 867 listings starting at $9,975
Used Dodge RAM 1500
86 listings starting at $5,000
Used Ford F-250
6 listings
Used Ford Mustang
47 Great Deals out of 1,636 listings starting at $5,999
Used Ford Ranger
37 Great Deals out of 743 listings starting at $4,400
Used Jeep Wrangler
141 Great Deals out of 5,951 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota 4Runner
14 Great Deals out of 527 listings starting at $7,990

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.