Why is my car overheating?

295

Asked by Luke Aug 17, 2014 at 12:05 PM about the 1995 Ford Escort 2 Dr LX Hatchback

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 95 escort and I have
replaced the radiator, idle air control
valve, water pump, idle speed
sensor, terminals, and it still
overheats and the water boils in to
the reservoir. What it possibly be?
Also my cooling fan doesn't come
on? I can't figure out why it won't
come on. Other than all the
overheating it drives perfect and runs
perfect til it over heats. Why is that
water boiling over and my check
engine light has been on the whole
time since I bought it.

15 Answers

199,615

Have check engine codes read. If in USA most auto zones will do for free. Does it mainly get hot when in stop and go traffic but cool down when highway driving? If so check the fan motor and fan relay. If it gets hot no matter how it is driven I would start checking for possible head gasket issues.

2 people found this helpful.

Spent all this time looking for flash code chart, found one but they want $40--heck with that. They can be had

2 people found this helpful.

Yeah well we will let it go this time. geex, Clayton Kershaw LOST last night (Big Dodger Fan). My point being it happens to the best.

3 people found this helpful.

OK Luke, check the wire to the coolant temperature sending unit, make sure it's attached and clean. May be why fan isn't coming on..but at 40+ mph a fan is not going to make any difference in it overheating. Hmmm. Make sure hoses not collapsed ...take a jumper wire from pos+ terminal on battery and touch it to pos+ on fan motor...if it runs maybe fuse, if not motor maybe bad. Tossing guesses here..

2 people found this helpful.

Check out this thread: ...http://www.feoa.net/threads/how-to-change-cooling-fan-relays-to-regular-ones.35441/ ...click image full screen

4 people found this helpful.

Another good thread: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/passenger-cars-suv-service-repairs-no-trucks/292404-1993-ford-escort-over-heating-fan-not-work.html

4 people found this helpful.
295

okay so im replacing my temp sensor and im putting a fuse in for the cooling fan, which wasn't even there....... okay now I have another probem. I litereally cranked my car for like two seconds and heard the bubbling noise of the water in to the overflow. now how in hell would it heat up in 5 seconds????? or why is the water going into the overflow?

8 people found this helpful.
40

I had a similar problem with my ZX2 2000 and it end up in a repair garage with a few issues under the hood which were caused by a bad Cylinder head gasket. Overheating is generally to blame for: a) Thermostat failure, b) a cracked thermostat housing, c) a broken water hose due to high temp pressure, d) damaged temp sender due to overheating, e) radiator plastic side walls cracked, f) radiator cap failure and g) more than likely a bended cylinder head due to overheating. Note that all these issues are the result of a failing cylinder gasket.

4 people found this helpful.

I'm having the same problem in my ford escort zx2 it gets hot at stop lights also the cooling fan dose not come on please help!!!

10

checked compression 185 pounds, all cyl still having issues and coolant going down. changed thermostat, still little heat, over heats at times, no leaks showing on ground. where is going

1 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 93 Escort Lx that I just finished rebuilding. The water pump is replaced and cooolant and system flushed and refilled.Timing and everything looked goo but it immediately overheated first day after rebuild. What could be the problem? PS: Fan works

1 people found this helpful.

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