Car overheating in patterns

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Mrsjcody

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
Location
Texas
Hi I have a 2010 Expedition EL XLT and for the last two days it’s been overheating while driving in town and while driving slow. If I get out onto the highway it cools back down to where it need to be. The a/c also blows hot air while it’s pegged out on hot. Anyone know where to start to fix this problem or can you give me an idea what’s going on? I just purchased this vehicle three weeks ago.
 

bobmbx

Full Access Members
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Posts
1,199
Reaction score
623
Location
Virginia
Is your fan running at idle? Your symptoms are classic indicators of a failed fan.

At idle, turn on MAX AC. The fan should be turning.

Another cause could be low coolant level, although this is not likely as you would tend to run hot all the time.
 
OP
OP
Mrsjcody

Mrsjcody

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
Location
Texas
It sounds like it is. I haven’t popped the hood to check. I know it has two fans. Could one possibly have quit and the other hasn’t. It’s really loud.
 

JExpedition07

That One Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Posts
6,509
Reaction score
3,119
Location
New York
Sounds like your fan clutch is not grabbing and spinning. Since it cools off at highway speed when air is flowing through the radiator due to speed alone and it suffers at idle and low speed where the fan does the cooling that’s the dead giveaway. The fan should be quite loud when ambient temp is high with a/c on at idle and on takeoff when the clutch grabs it and spins it. I can hear my fan over my interior blower and radio if it’s hot out and the A/C is on.... when the clutch engages the fan gets louder and sounds a bit like an airplane if it’s dead quiet when you pop the hood somethings wrong.
 

coolzzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Posts
374
Reaction score
166
Location
Idaho
Check radiator for clogging with debris or dirt. When the temp hits a certain point the AC will be disabled to reduce load on the motor. If the radiator is blocked it will overheat, also if you are low on coolant. Could also be a failed water pump impeller so no coolant is circulating. Could be a stuck thermostat as well, preventing coolant from entering the radiator.
 
OP
OP
Mrsjcody

Mrsjcody

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
Location
Texas
Is it easy to replace? Or would it be better to put in the shop?
 

JExpedition07

That One Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Posts
6,509
Reaction score
3,119
Location
New York
It’s doesn’t look to be a fun job, have it looked into sooner than later. Overheating is no good for your motor.
 
OP
OP
Mrsjcody

Mrsjcody

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
Location
Texas
Ok thanks I’ll do some investigating under the hood tomorrow and see if the fan is ingaging and go from there. Thanks for all the helpful advice!
 
Top