I am having cooling problem what to check?

Asked by tamera22 Sep 01, 2014 at 11:00 PM about the 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Thermostat works, flow from inlet to bottom outlet
but not out petcock. Gets too hot in a few miles
only. Bad radiator or water pump? Is there a way
to check these without removing them?

4 Answers

144,795

I would think water pump,the only true way to check is remove cap,let it heat up,and if it doe,s not circulate good when thermostat open,s it would be the pump.

63,145

Start with the radiator. While your there swap out the water pump. Hell, do the thermostat. Your right there and you'll be good for the next 20 years.

1 people found this helpful.
15,925

Not sure I would just replace the water-pump/thermostat first. Although they are not real expensive, you don't say if you can do the work yourself. If you have to pay someone then it can get a little expensive. Is the radiator the same temp top to bottom on front side? If so, I would think there is no problem with it. If there is a temp change top to bottom, then you need to pull the radiator and have it rodded out. If it is ok, then go the water pump/thermostat route.

Your Answer:

Thunderbird

Looking for a Used Thunderbird in your area?

CarGurus has 35 nationwide Thunderbird listings starting at $15,888.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Larry Sturgis
    Reputation
    3,020
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    2,080
  • #3
    MrBlueOval
    Reputation
    1,580
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Mustang
65 Great Deals out of 1,259 listings starting at $4,995
Used Chevrolet Corvette
29 Great Deals out of 1,060 listings starting at $15,871
Used Ford F-150
321 Great Deals out of 14,968 listings starting at $1,712
Used Lexus SC
3 Great Deals out of 17 listings starting at $13,495
Used Chevrolet Camaro
16 Great Deals out of 307 listings starting at $10,500
Used BMW 3 Series
71 Great Deals out of 1,176 listings starting at $1,995
Used Pontiac Firebird
15 listings
Used Ford Taurus
8 Great Deals out of 81 listings starting at $3,995
Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
12 Great Deals out of 126 listings starting at $13,995
Used INFINITI I30
1 listing
Used Jaguar XK-Series
11 listings starting at $12,990
Used Jeep Wrangler
145 Great Deals out of 5,071 listings starting at $5,450

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.