1992 Ford Tempo Cooling System--Help! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

markritcher · 01-23-2005, 22:46

I have a 1992 Ford Tempo. My son said that the heater was working off and on, then stopped. I borrowed the car and it overheated on the way to work [8 minute drive!].

I checked the rad and found it to be low. I have checked the system and no leaks. I replaced the thermostat. Heater still does not work.

In fact, when the heater is turned on the car overheats faster!

The top hose gets hot. The bottom hose is cool. I tried "burping" the system to no avail. The top hose is hot and the coolant is cool. No heat inside the car.

Any sugestions?

dagr8tim · 01-24-2005, 00:05

Clogged coolant passage in either the block or the radiator?

Have you checked the oil yet? If the oil is milky for foamy, most likely the head gasket has blown. Also, check the water pump. If it is not turning, that may explain it.

markritcher · 01-25-2005, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagr8tim

Clogged coolant passage in either the block or the radiator?

Have you checked the oil yet? If the oil is milky for foamy, most likely the head gasket has blown. Also, check the water pump. If it is not turning, that may explain it.

The oil looks fine--good thought though. One thing that I did not pay too much attention to was the water pump. The darn thing is practically hidden. What I noticed was that the belt is missing.... Hopefully that will solve the problem. Do you know any secrets to get to it without having to disassemble too much? There is not very much clearance from the top or the bottom.

dagr8tim · 01-29-2005, 02:06

IIRC the upper intake has to come off. It's a simple thing. Remove the TV rod from the throttle body and unplug afew electrical connectors. Then you can remove about 8 bolts to remove the upper intake.

I'm not sure if you have to remove the lower intake or not.

dagr8tim · 01-29-2005, 13:52

I went back and looked. It seems there are only 4 bolts that hold the upper intake manifold on. Below is a picture of a lower intake manifold. In the front is the mating surface for the head.