Flushing Coolant; Something looks wrong

[thekaufaz]

I've been having trouble with my 2005 V8 overheating now and then. I've never noticed any leak whatsoever, so I don't know if the degas bottle or one of the hoses is leaking.

I decided to try flushing the fluid before I drop cash on a degas bottle and hoses. I figured it could just be some air that got in there somehow. I'm using a document like this as a guide but it's for the 2006 model: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/CoolingSystemDraining/

What I am using is "2006 Lincoln LS Workshop Manual - SECTION 303-03: Engine Cooling". I can't remember where I got it but luckily I saved the html file because I can't find it again.

Anyway, when I take off the engine fill cap the attached photo is what I see looking directly into it. The attached illustration is from the guide I'm using and shows the hole I'm looking into.

Now, I don't know what this is exactly, but I highly doubt that copper part in the middle is supposed to be cockeyed and cracked. Can someone tell me what is up with this part and what it does? What am I looking at as far as repair?

Thanks.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

That would be your thermostat, and I think it's safe to say it is toast. This why you were overheating with no leak.

How many miles are on the vehicle? If you are up around 100k or more, it would be a good idea to replace all of the plastic parts and hoses in the cooling system, just for peace of mind.

Now, umm... Not to be a smart a$$, but if you didn't know what you were looking at, it might be best to pay the money and have a professional do the work. If I am wrong about your mechanical experience, I sincerely apologize, but this vehicle has a very specific bleeding procedure for the cooling system, and you could run into problems if not done correctly. Not to mention that proper torque on the plactic parts is crucial. Again,,, no insult intended. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by this car, and I have been turning wrenches for 35 years, both as an amateur, and a professional. This only the 2nd car I have ever bought the factory manuals for.

Best wishes,

---Mike---

 

[RodLS]

Looks like you'll need a new thermostat and housing.

+1 on replace all of the plastic parts and hoses in the cooling system.

 

[1LoudLS]

when i had to replace my coolant outlet pipe, upon taking it apart, the thermostat was almost sideways because the parts that hold it in (locking tab) and the nipple it rest into (???) were both broke and crumbled.

 

[thekaufaz]

Lol

Yea, I am pretty technically able but when it comes to cars I'm just ignorant from inexperience. I totally understand the comment by 04_Sport_LS.

I went ahead and replaced the housing (both sides) and the thermostat. It was a lot of work but not really too hard from a technical perspective.

For anyone trying to do this, the housing comes in two pieces, I would replace both. It doesn't up the difficulty much and you will be replacing the other one eventually anyway. There is a gasket in between the two housing pieces and three gaskets between the housing and the engine block or whatever. I replaced them all except the big one in the middle going to the engine block. I didn't realize it was there until it was too late. I wanted to get this fixed and not wait around for another part.

I'll attach a couple pics of the parts I took out. You will see why everyone is always complaining about the bullcrap plastic parts ford puts in these.

My suggestion to everyone who is getting up above 50k miles is to take off the engine fill cap every once in a while and make sure the thermostat looks okay. You just have to take off the big shield on top of the engine and then the engine fill cap is front and center.

 

[nelliott500]

You'll probably regret not replacing the outlet pipe (the angled pipe under the throttle body). It's incredibly common for it to leak, usually from cracking due to heat. It's a pain in the ass (especially because you have to cut off the heads of the rear two bolts for it) but I bet you'll end up back in there in the near future.

Now, umm... Not to be a smart a$$, but if you didn't know what you were looking at, it might be best to pay the money and have a professional do the work. If I am wrong about your mechanical experience, I sincerely apologize, but this vehicle has a very specific bleeding procedure for the cooling system, and you could run into problems if not done correctly. Not to mention that proper torque on the plactic parts is crucial. Again,,, no insult intended. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by this car, and I have been turning wrenches for 35 years, both as an amateur, and a professional. This only the 2nd car I have ever bought the factory manuals for.

It's really not that complicated to bleed the system if you can read.

 

[gcwimmer]

What I am using is "2006 Lincoln LS Workshop Manual - SECTION 303-03: Engine Cooling". I can't remember where I got it but luckily I saved the html file because I can't find it again.

Here is the link: http://deneau.info/ls/

 

[1LoudLS]

^^^ i have this link saved on about 4-6 different computers lol, not to mention my phone!