[imfocused]

i have a 99 ford escort sport that has been gradually over heating. if i go above 50 then the temp guage starts to climb till it it just below the red.
I first noticed this when car did not have any heat.so i added some 50/50 coolant and the heat began to work but only blows heat when the temp is up, when the guage is at normal it will blow cool air even with the heat turned on. but now the temperature guage just climbs till it is almost into the red zone.
I planned to flush the cooling system but is there anything else I need to do or does anyone know exactly what the problem is? im trying to keep this thing running til tax season. Thanks in advanced.

 

[EscorGo]

Bad water pump or plugged up radiator maybe. Backflushing it might help.

 

[imfocused]

Yeah thats what im thinking. my radiator cap has a lot orange crud around the seals so im hoping flushing will help. do you think the thermostat is shot. and where can I find some instructions for replacing it?

 

[insomniac]

orange crud as in oil rust mix or orange crud as dexcool coolant? either way both are bad. try to flush out the heater core as well make sure there is a good flow thru there. a thermostat is a good idea to replace and check by the water pump make sure there is no coolant marks that could indicate bad gasket or water pump. good luck and hope it works out for ya

 

[imfocused]

how do I flush the Heater core?

 

[insomniac]

find the 2 coolant hoses that go into the firewall now disconnect them both and hook a garden hose up to one end and flush away, (pay close attention to what comes out and how much) id say flush it til its clear and steady flow

 

[imfocused]

Ok so just to be clear im hooking the hose up to the firewall or the hoses?

 

[silverton]

Most chain stores (fred meyer, walmart, target, autozone, oreilly, shucks) sell a prestone kit thing. It goes in-line with one of your heater core hoses. it allows you to hook a garden hose up to your cooling system. Basically, you hook that up, un-do your radiator cap (they include a plastic device that sends the water away from the car) and run the vehicle with the water running. Run it til the water comes out clear, and then refill with a 50-50 mix. Basically since the block/heater core and going to be full of water, just put pure antifreeze in the radiator and it should work itself out to a 50-50 mix.

 

[imfocused]

Most chain stores (fred meyer, walmart, target, autozone, oreilly, shucks) sell a prestone kit thing. It goes in-line with one of your heater core hoses. it allows you to hook a garden hose up to your cooling system. Basically, you hook that up, un-do your radiator cap (they include a plastic device that sends the water away from the car) and run the vehicle with the water running. Run it til the water comes out clear, and then refill with a 50-50 mix. Basically since the block/heater core and going to be full of water, just put pure antifreeze in the radiator and it should work itself out to a 50-50 mix.

I actually bought one of these kits yesterday and have a vid i got off youtube that gives step by step instructions so im good. i was just wondering about the anti-freeze because I have some 5/150 at home.do you think i need to get some flush cleaner also.

 

[insomniac]

if you can get the fitting use the hoses if you cant hold the garden hose tight against the fitting. only reason i suggest flushing the heater core first if any sludge comes out its going to go thru the rest of the system before it comes out.
it may or may not get stuck 9 times out of 10 anything in the cooling system likes to hide in the heater core.
working at Valvoline i can tell you the flow comes from the block. so if you disconnect a hose the flow of clean water should not go in to the block. that may seem like mumble jumble but it makes since in my head.

 

[insomniac]

STOP DO NOT USE DEXCOOL!!!

 

[insomniac]

dexcool is most likely the cause if this issue, in which case you will need a new water pump. different coolants have different lube in them for the water pumps. the orange sludge is cause by dexcool only gm uses it. use green or yellow coolant. yellow is the universal coolant good up to 150,000 miles yellow will mix with anything, green is cheap and good, orange is bad

 

[imfocused]

dexcool is most likely the cause if this issue, in which case you will need a new water pump. different coolants have different lube in them for the water pumps. the orange sludge is cause by dexcool only gm uses it. use green or yellow coolant. yellow is the universal coolant good up to 150,000 miles yellow will mix with anything, green is cheap and good, orange is bad

OK thank you Bro! the stuff i was gonna use is orange it was left in the house i just bought I will get rid of it! So could a good flush fix my issues. What can I use to get rid of all this fluid im flushing.

 

[insomniac]

ok i wasn't sure what 5/150 was for a minute i thought it was go5 (yellow) which would have worked but then i looked it up and it was dexcool. Dexcool is the worst design ever to be invented. if there is a lot of orange goo you are going to spend a lot of time flushing

 

[imfocused]

ok i wasn't sure what 5/150 was for a minute i thought it was go5 (yellow) which would have worked but then i looked it up and it was dexcool. Dexcool is the worst design ever to be invented. if there is a lot of orange goo you are going to spend a lot of time flushing

so i should get some flushing cleaner also. The thing is finding the time to do this in the middle of this work week.

 

[insomniac]

yes i would recommend it, i know how it is having to find time to do this. cars like to poop on you at the worst possible time. i wish the best of luck and hope it turns out