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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
87
Mercury Topaz, Bad News Topaz
Q:
I own an '87 Mercury Topaz, the engine starts but idles rough. I put a
code reader on the computer and it told me that the E.C.T. (engine cooling
temperature) was out of range. I changed it, it still runs rough when
idling, and when I drive it a short distance, it overheats, any suggestions?...Vince
A: Don't
worry about any computer codes at this point. First, you should determine
if the electric cooling fan is functioning properly. An inoperative cooling
fan can quickly cause an engine to overheat, resulting in serious and
costly damage. Once the cooling problem is corrected, attention should
be turned to the rough idle complaint. Be sure the ignition and fuel system
are operating properly and that there are no vacuum leaks which will cause
a rough idle. If these items check out, my concern would be that there
is a possible failing head gasket. A failure in this gasket would allow
combustion gases into the cooling system causing air pockets to form.
The result of this condition would be a rough idle and an engine that
overheats.
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