Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Engine runs hot with A/C on

Well I think I found the problem. One of the suggestions was that the radiator may be plugged up. I did not think so because I could not see anything. Just for kicks I took out the hose and gave the radiator a good spray down, making sure I sprayed the water through from both sides of the radiator. As luck would have it we had a few days of cooler weather here, so I was not able to see if it helped. Yesterday it was above 90 again and the temp only made it up to the top of the O rather then all the way to the L. So, even though I could not see anything from the front, there must have been some crud trapped between the radiator fins. Thanks Jon500a for the suggestion.

I am glad that did the trick. By the way, how difficult was it to take out your radiator? I will probably have to do that some day and I was wondering how much you had to take apart to do that as I am not much of a mechanic (can barely change oil and filters). Hope your 'Tour keeps running in tip-top shape.

when i had my oil changed the dude told me that my coolant looked to be a little diluted....my coolant was flushed/changed by ford when my waterpump/thermostat was replaced

my car also runs very cool ('o' range) but will get very hot when pushed hard

If it runs wark on MAX AC, it will run WARMER on just AC. MAX recirculates the air from the cabin, which is cooler, and should make the car run cooler. AC just pulls in the warm, wet outside air, which is MUCH warmer than inside air. My Mystique always runs cooler when MAX AC is on (It's normally in the middle of the N, when MAX AC is on, it's a little below the N) if this makes no sense...I suck at explaining things...if I could only remember who told me about it...Id tell you...but, I cant so...yeah...no... :rolleyes:

I didn't actually take the radiator out. I just hosed it off in place.