So my 87 5L is slowly overheating, and by slowly i mean like it gets to running temp and then it slowly creeps to one bar over half and then almost to two, but this happens after 10-15 minutes of driving, mostly city driving. I have a new water pump that i just put in. The thermostat is probably 4 years old and the car has barely moved so it could be the culprit. Also when i did the water pump i took a peek inside the rad and noticed a bitch load of white deposite on all the rows. Maybe new rad time, i believe the rad is stock but was re-cored at some point but it is like 23 years old .

Thanks

Marc L.

 

yup time to replace the rad...also if the hoses are 4 years old check them out too it might be time to change them if u feel any soft spots

 

^^^ x2 - that's where I'd start.

 

Agreed with the above.

 

My 88 stang also gets hot in the same way. It takes about 15 minutes with the air conditioning on before the guage reads one to two bars over half way up. I have owned this vehicle since new so I know the normal reading is about two bars from the bottom. My rad looks good inside. I am suspecting my fan clutch. It wouldn't hurt to check the fan clutch before replacing the rad. When the engine is hot turn it off and see if the plastic fan turns without resitance. It shouldn't turn easily.

 

quick update, rad was pretty clogged up, put a new 3 row in, made a huge difference, im gonna chage the rad cap and the thermostat just incase.

 

Glad to hear you got this one covered.

 

Good to hear!