10W30 - Auto Repair Answers and Archive

jtripps · 07-13-2009 07:57 PM

I've tried a flush, new thermostats, etc. Is it possible I'm using the wrong kind of coolant? What kind does it take?

driver540 · 07-13-2009 11:07 PM

I am assuming that it has a 3.8 liter in it. First I would have a pressure test done on the coolant system to be sure of any leaks. The bad part if this is a 3.8, is that they were known for bad head gaskets. Some years even had a recall on them. Lets hope thats not your case. Watch for flow inside the radiator fill. May need a radiator or water pump. Hard to diagnose with very little info. If you can get us more info on repairs you already tried and any more symptoms, that would be great.

jtripps · 07-14-2009 12:26 AM

well ive tried several radiator flushes and thermostats, thats about it really, i dont know too much on this subject. i was trying to look up thee specs for what type of coolant earlier, all i found was that a 2000 cougar takes the dexcool coolant, i was wondering if this is the same case. whats odd is that it starts overheating after about 30 minutes of driving, but once im stopped for about 15 seconds or so, the temp gauge goes back down to normal. i have stopped and looked at coolant levels, the coolant level does go down as it gets hot and come back up as it cools down (im assuming thats what you meant by check for flow). Thats about all i can really think of at this point.

driver540 · 07-14-2009 07:53 AM

DO NOT PUT DEXCOOL IN YOUR ENGINE. What kind of fan is on your car? Is it electric or is it a clutch fan? If its a clutch style fan, watch it while running to see if it is "slipping" when throttling the car. Or with engine off try to spin fan and see if clutch is tight or if it will allow you to spin the fan freely. If it seems to spin freely, you probably need to replace it.

**re-tired** · 07-14-2009 10:29 AM

My fellow tech , Driver 540 ,got a little excited about you wanting to put DEX COOL in your cooling system . What he should have said is.......ARE YOU CRAZY !!! DONT RUIN YOUR COOLING STYSTEM!!.....Please use ETHYLENE GLYCOL coolant meeting ESE-M9744a specs . Should be printed on the bottle.IF your electric fan is working , I would suggest having radiator rodded out by a shop. I have never seen much success with the flushes.

gacyota · 07-15-2009 07:54 PM

re-tired Wrote:ARE YOU CRAZY !!! DONT RUIN YOUR COOLING STYSTEM!!.....Please use ETHYLENE GLYCOL coolant meeting ESE-M9744a specs.

In English that means regular green antifreeze. Do not get the 'universal' antifreeze or dex-cool. If you have already put Dex-cool in this vehicle, you will need to flush all of it out before you add green antifreeze.
As far as the overheating problem, an engine size would be some valuable info. The 3.8 uses an electric fan and the 5.0 uses a fan clutch.

**crank.it** · 07-19-2009 08:27 AM

hi guys just chimming in ----if he has the 4.6 it may have the plastic intake that crackes along a seam and opens and leaks when hot???its hidden right behind the alt on the intake...and whats wrong with dex cool besides the ----- price????

**re-tired** · 07-23-2009 11:18 PM

DEX COOL is very high in silica . PRICE . This causes sedimentation PRICE in the radiator and heater core PRICE.It also uis very abrasive PRICE. on water pump impellers. It has been a nightmare PRICE for techs when customers come in after mixing ethelene and dex PRICE . Their cooling system full of chocolate pudding PRICE as a result of the mixing. also it cost more .PRICE

**crank.it** · 07-25-2009 08:07 AM

oooooohhhhh....now i get it......price ..... :lol: :lol: