T-Stat Question

[vmax3_2001]

I've been doing a lot of reading on thermostat replacement and I'm a little confused or ignorant. I was reading that out 7.3IDI's have a bypass, what does that mean, if the T-stat sticks, it will by pass the T-stat to keep coolant flow , if so. My truck over heated today. It was working fine the previous day, today I was driving about 5 miles leaving home when all the sudden water stated spraying over my hood I was on the phone and not paying attention to my gauge (my fault). I pulled over, steam was spraying from the cap and the top side rad hose was cold. Also my heater was ice cold, it had been working fine the day before. I checked the fan there was no play in the shaft, and my pump wasn't leaking, so I don't think it was the W pump or fan clutch. Also what is this BALL in the thermostat i read about? does it stick? if so does it half to do with the bypass. I need to fix this ASAFP, but want to do it right the first time. I'm sure its pretty simple task, I'm probably over thinking it. A lot of ?'s but your the experts, Thanks for the help.

 

[Jake S.]

Your anti-freeze prolly wasn't mixed strong enough and the rad. froze while you were driving. Get it to a shop to thaw out in the heat and mix it stronger

 

[Agnem]

X2 How cold was it? Does sound like you froze up. Oops. Not good. These heads do not respond well to overheats.

 

[icanfixall]

There is only one thermostat for our motors. Buy from Ford or International only. The part number are found in the Parts Bin section. Other thermostats will fit the block but wont pass enough coolant to properly cool these motors. Its the block under the thermostat that has the bypass built into it. Its open as long as the stat is colsed. Then the copper pill extends down and closes it off to flow. The temp for this stat is 192 degrees... Nothing else is made for us...

 

[vmax3_2001]

Yeah It's been pretty cold out here, 5 to 15 above sub 0 at night. I never thought of that. When I bought the truck I never thought of checking the coolent. I guess I always assumed the person who had it knew what they were doing. And as soon as I saw it over heat I shut it down. so it may have been at the threshold. I don't think I hurt anything. I havn't had time to mess with it. I've been driving my other IDI for now. However I did have it pluged in all night long, so I'm not sure how it could have froze, but then again...Thanks

 

[RLDSL]

Yeah It's been pretty cold out here, 5 to 15 above sub 0 at night. I never thought of that. When I bought the truck I never thought of checking the coolent. I guess I always assumed the person who had it knew what they were doing. And as soon as I saw it over heat I shut it down. so it may have been at the threshold. I don't think I hurt anything. I havn't had time to mess with it. I've been driving my other IDI for now. However I did have it pluged in all night long, so I'm not sure how it could have froze, but then again...Thanks

You've answered your own question but not realized it. You had it plugged in but how could it freeze, well, real darn easy, about ten seconds after you stuck it in gear and started moving air started flowing through that radiator and across the engine, the thermostat closed and coolant flow through the rad stopped and the coolant in the rad began to freeze and at road speed, it only took a few minutes. People don't realize that in those temps the coolant only circulatres within the engine and almost never hits the rad, the thermostat rarely opens up, the air blowing across the outside of the engine is enough to keep the thing cooled down . When you blew coolant out, you lost your heater as the coolant level went out of your heater core

The ball in the housing is there simply to allow air to bleed out of the low spots in the cooling system in the engine below the thermostat. It is a very good idea. Some high end European cars have similar devices built into the thermostats ( It may be catching on in other markets as well)

 

[vmax3_2001]

I'm an idiot. I'm gonna pull it in the shop tomorrow and thaw it out. Run some car quest low silicate antifreeze in it and hopefully that will solve my problem. I'm a dumb A@#. Thanks for the help.

 

[Agnem]

Let this be a reminder to everyone that one of the FIRST things that anyone should do when they buy a new to them truck is...

ALWAYS CHANGE ALL YOUR FLUIDS!

That goes for differentials, transmissions, ANY lubricant or Coolant. Heck, you may as well flush out the windsheild washer tank, and change your headlight fluid while your at it.

 

[Jake S.]

let us know how it turns out. Should I change blinker fluid too then Mel?

 

[oldmisterbill]

While your at it make sure the antifreez has is set of cavatation protection. That is as important as keeping it from freezing.

 

[icanfixall]

Your not an idiot at all.. An idiot drains out the oil and refills with liquid glass and runs the motor till it stops killing a motor... Now thats an idiot.... This is the learning place... We help each other and sometimes we learn what not to do... Most started just like you and now we can help others...

 

[vmax3_2001]

I got it figured out. I brought it inside to warm up over night. refilled the coolant added some Napa Cool (it's all we have here) and let it warm up. took it out for about an half hour with heater on high to circulate the water, then noticed some steem again. It was the cap on the radiator. would not keep pressure, I changed the damb thing working great. It even heats better. I did do an oil change when I got it along with diff oil changes, I just didn't think to check the coolant. thanks for all the advice. I'm sure I'll be back on with another question before long.