You'll know when your Ford Windstar 3.0 minivan is overheating. Hot air will begin blowing from your vents, your dashboard temperature gauge will probably tilt to "H," and eventually, smoke will start to billow from the front end of your vehicle. Overheating is the result of an airflow or circulation impediment in the cooling system and can inflict permanent harm to your engine. To protect yourself and your vehicle, it's important to take direct action.
Instructions
- 1
Search for a shaded area on the side of the road and pull over. Turn off your engine and allow it to gradually cool down. Turn on your emergency lights and exit the vehicle.
2Fill the coolant reserve tank to the "Max" line with coolant. Observe whether the fluid remains at the "Max" line. Diminishing coolant can indicate a leak in the water pump, upper hose or the coolant reserve tank itself.
3Examine the condition of the radiator cap. Your car's cooling system must be under pressure to work properly. A damaged radiator cap would prevent this from happening and could cause your engine to overheat.
4Check the condition of your radiator with an infrared thermometer. Radiators can become clogged with dirt over time and prevent fresh coolant from moving to the engine. Your radiator may need cleaned or replaced.
5Call an auto repair center if you cannot resolve the problem. Repairing the problem professionally will prevent further damage being done to your vehicle.
