cooling system problem + overheating

[reaper6]

Hi, I've been having overheating problems for a little while but the car was behaving until now. Recently, my car started getting hot (about 220 degrees) and it would hover around there. After i parked the car, it was dripping coolant. I cant see exactly where its coming from, but it looks like its from the back of the engine, i could be wrong though. I found coolant all over the top of my engine like it spewed out of somewhere. My heater no longer works also, but the temp gauge says 210ish. When i grabbed the radiator hose that goes to the thermostat, i felt the bubbles going through. My question is, would this be something simple? or is it a headgasket? The car doesn't heat up like a blown head gasket would, but i could be wrong. I checked my oil for "milkshake" but its clean. Sorry for the long write-up but i wanted to give as much information as i could.

Thanks

[QUICKSILVER462]

First thind to do is a cylider pressure check to make sure a head gasket is not blown (not common), but what is common is the intake manifold gaskets go bad and can cause a leak into the crankcase (more common).

[reaper6]

Thanks for the reply. I'll check it out. Another problem im having is that my fans dont kick on, even when the car exceeds 220 degrees. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your time

[FordMan77]

Turn the A/C on and see if the fans kick in. They should run constantly with the A/C on. If not, check the fuse, then go from there.

As far as the coolant leak it could be a few things. Cracked UIM, leaking coolant elbows, leaking heater core hose (there are 2), leaking waterpump.

You really need to find this leak because if it is the UIM then you risk burning up the motor by dumping coolant in it. Check for coolant around where the TB meets the UIM and where the UIM meets the LIM (around the T-stat area).

You're heater doesn't work because you have a coolant leak somewhere. As soon as you fix that and bleed the system of air, it should be fine.

[BillBoost37]

Common leaks are coolant elbows, water pumps and hoses. If you were to say which side of the car driver or passenger....which is it closer to?

If you don't top it off and lift the hood to look for the leak, it will get worse and you will have a higher chance of hurting the motor. Sprayed all over is probably something on the belts or a hole in a hose.

[reaper6]

Ok, it was leaking from the water pump. I took the belt off and the water pump pulley shook a little, so ill be replacing it. And also, the fans do not kick on when the a/c is on, and the fuse is fine. Any help is appreciated

Thanks

[FordMan77]

Give this thread a look. It turns out that the fans may not come on right away w/ the A/C on. Might be your coolant temp. sensor, which is located in the LIM under the thermostat housing.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/cooli...ing-27222.html