This is topic 98 cobra overheating in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by 1988Stang (Member # 6280) on :
 
i just put a new thermostat in my buddys 98 cobra and it is still overheating, i am wondering how to properly burb the system, i know there is a trick i just don't know what it is. Any info will help.
 
Posted by poisonpony96 (Member # 3942) on :
 
put the coolant in the crossover tube. its the highest point in the system
 
Posted by 1988Stang (Member # 6280) on :
 
is that the tube that runs across the front of the motor? it has an allen wrench plug on the top of it.
 
Posted by poisonpony96 (Member # 3942) on :
 
yep it can be a pain to undo. make sure u use a good quality 3/8 socket or you might snap it off in the hole like i did then had to use channel locks to get it off. your buddy's cobra shouldn't have been overheating in the first place though what are the symptons.
 
Posted by 1988Stang (Member # 6280) on :
 
The thermostat was sticking closed, when i pulled the thermostat out the outside spring and retainer where broken off. i was assuming that was causing the inner spring to stay closed keeping the thermostat closed, causing it to overheat.
 
Posted by poisonpony96 (Member # 3942) on :
 
oh ok
 
Posted by 1988Stang (Member # 6280) on :
 
i dont think anything else is wrong, the electric fan turns on, but it heats up alot, so i need to some how get the air bubbles out of the system, so if i take out that plug do i run the motor until the coolant starts coming out of it, because that would mean the air is out, or how does this all work?
 
Posted by poisonpony96 (Member # 3942) on :
 
no just fill it from there. untill all the air is out. should be fine just did mine that way worked fine for me. you'll notice that when u fill it from there coolant will start filling up in th overflow tank then you should be good. just close it up and go for a ride or let it run for a while these cobra like to be hot the fan doesn't kick on till 220 degrees. i did the fan mod so that my fan comes on when i turn the key so it stay really cool.
 
Posted by 1968_Fastback (Member # 1482) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by poisonpony96:
no just fill it from there. untill all the air is out. should be fine just did mine that way worked fine for me. you'll notice that when u fill it from there coolant will start filling up in th overflow tank then you should be good. just close it up and go for a ride or let it run for a while these cobra like to be hot the fan doesn't kick on till 220 degrees. i did the fan mod so that my fan comes on when i turn the key so it stay really cool.
Does the fan turn off when your driving over 45mph?
 
Posted by poisonpony96 (Member # 3942) on :
 
uhm no maybe? all i did way ground a wire on the ecu so that it thinks the a/c is on and then switched the high speed and the low speed wires right in front of the fan. is that why i see my tempature gauge a little higher on the freeway? I have it set so the low speed is on all the time and if it get to 220 the high speed kicks on but has never gotten the high with the fan on all the time

[ April 20, 2007, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: poisonpony96 ]
 
Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
This is from a Ford manual for burping an 03 cobra... same basic setup..

Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Draining

WARNING: Never remove the pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or when the cooling system is hot. Failure to follow these instructions can result in damage to the cooling system or engine or personal injury. To avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blow out of the degas bottle when removing the pressure relief cap, wait until the engine is cooled, then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly. Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, turn and remove the pressure relief cap (still with a cloth).

CAUTION: The coolant must be recovered in a suitable, clean container for reuse. If the coolant is contaminated, it must be recycled or disposed of correctly.

NOTE: Less than 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant should be drained and filled with new coolant.


Release the pressure in the cooling system by slowly turning the pressure relief cap one half turn counterclockwise or the radiator cap counterclockwise to the first stop. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap/radiator cap.
Place a suitable container below the radiator drain****. If equipped, disconnect the coolant return hose at the fluid cooler. Open the drain**** and drain the engine coolant.
Close the radiator drain****.
Filling - Cobra


CAUTION: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in Oregon VC-7-B) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.

CAUTION: Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency, and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle.

When adding engine coolant, use a 50150 mixture of engine coolant and deionized water.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in Oregon VC-7-B) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
Do not, add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
Do not add alcohol, methanol, or brine, or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolants can harm the engine and cooling system components.
NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.


Check all hose clamps for correct tightness. Make sure the radiator drain**** is closed.
Place the heater temperature selector in maximum cool position.
Remove the pressure cap from the cooling system reservoir and the fill plug from the engine crossover tube.
CAUTION: Do not fill the cooling system through the reservoir only. Coolant will not enter the engine. Only the reservoir and the radiator will be filled and engine overheating will occur. Add coolant into the fill neck on the engine crossover tube until coolant reaches the top 6f the fill neck on the cooling system reservoir.
Install the cooling system pressure cap on the reservoir.
Continue to fill the cooling system at the engine crossover fill neck until full.
Install the engine crossover tube fill plug.
WARNING: To avoid the possibility of personal injury or damage to the vehicle, do not operate the engine with the hood open until the fan has been first examined for possible cracks and separation. CAUTION: If the engine temperature gauge does not move, coolant level is low in the engine and must be filled. Stop the engine, allow to cool, and rill the cooling system as outlined. Run the engine until the thermostat opens (coolant flowing through the radiator lower hose becomes hot).
Stop the engine and allow to cool.
Add coolant to the engine crossover tube fill neck until the cooling system is full.
Install the fill plug.
Repeat the fill procedure if necessary.
Bleeding

Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air at A/C vents in instrument panel.
Start the engine and allow to idle. While engine is idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.
CAUTION: If the air discharge remains cool and the engine coolant temperature gauge does not move, the engine coolant level is low and must be filled. Stop the engine, allow the engine to cool and fill cooling system. Start the engine and allow it to idle until normal operating temperature is reached. Hot air should discharge from A/C vents. The engine coolant temperature gauge should maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of the NORMAL range. The upper radiator hose should feel hot to the touch.
Shut the engine off and allow the engine to cool.
Check the engine for coolant leaks.
Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle/coolant expansion tank and fill as necessary.
 
Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
Or, in laymans terms:
1) There is a petcock at the bottom (passenger side, closest to motor) of the radiator. Open it to drain the fluid and close once empty.

2) Open the overfill tank and fill up to the line on the reservoir.

3) Open the coolant crossover (1/4" drive works), top off the fluid there, and close coolant crossover.

4) Run the car for a bit and shut it off.


What I did was I put a funnel (cut to the correct size in the crossover and kept it about 1/2 way full of water.
5) Repeat steps 3) & 4) until no more fluid can be put in.
 
Posted by 50 Deep (Member # 6216) on :
 
As far as I know all the cobras have issues with burping air from the system. In the sean hyland mustang book he recommends you drill a small hole in the themostat so that trapped air can pass thrrough and effectively burp the system. And do like they said and fill from the crossover tube. I had the same issue in my 96 cobra, and those are notorious for running hot. But I was trying to add coolant to the resevoir and that's useless.
 




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