Cooling system stumper

[DrDusty86]

The car 99' Escort zx2 With 223k miles. The car almost always runs cool even after several T-stats. I have a new OE cap on it. The only Time it gets to normal temp is if it is above 90* outside and it idles for more than a few minutes. The temp gauge seems to be an accurate "gauge" If the gauge reads 1/4, I can touch the cam cover and radiator etc... not REAL hot. it runs 1/4 on the interstate or when it it is less then 45* outside. The car seems to not like to build heat. No coolant usage. I can take the radiator cap off 5 minutes after I shut it down after a 30 mile interstate run.... No coolant spillage.
It has been this way since I've owned it for 9 years and 181k miles.
Why the low temps and really low system pressure?
Dusty

 

[HerrStig]

Fan stuck on?

 

[DrDusty86]

No sir,
It cycles with the AC and when I idle for 10-15 minutes in 90* heat.. Only then does the gauge go to 1/2 and the engine is to hot to touch.

 

[user52165]

Well, this sure beats the alternative.

You are not complaining about lack of heater performanace.

Dash gauges are not accurate.

Do a pressure test including the cap and test thermostat.

Buy really, after all these happy miles, what's the beef?

 

[eljefino]

And it made it to 223k without sludging or building a devastating cylinder ridge.

Aren't these escorts hecho in mexico? Gets hot there.

Can you get an OBD-II reading of actual reported temp? Gauge could be calibrated to read "nothing's wrong".

The rad doesn't have to be engine temp and if it runs with the thermostat mostly closed the rad will be pretty cool. Same as if you have a plastic cam cover that doesn't conduct heat-- even aluminum isn't great for it. IIRC fords are notorious for throwing a code for "it didn't warm up right" which either means you're in the clear or they have a design problem.

 

[DrDusty86]

eljefino,
It's not a GM..Which wear out and are VERY quick to overheat

Come on we ALL know RP at 4500-6k intervals doesn't sludge and it gets Techron in the gas tank every 10k

My uoas look fine
Design problem.... Doubt it..

 

[dave1251]

I am certain this escort is well beyond its intended lifespan and I would not worry about it if the engine is clean. I would just continue to due the usual maintenance and upkeep and not worry about it.

 

[LeakySeals]

If the engine temp was not reaching the correct operating temps your gas mileage would be noticeably bad. Try replacing the temperature switch for the gauge (NOT the coolant temperature sensor) located on the bottom of the thermostat housing.

 

[GearheadTool]

DrDusty, by your description it almost sounds as if the engine is not pressurizing???? (You stated you can open the cap after a highway drive and coolant won't come out.)

HOW IS YOUR HEAD GASKET LOOKING. I have had experience where other issues make there be no heat, or.. just a possible reason to NOT pressurize, as sometimes it makes it VERY pressurized.

How does oil cap look?
Coolant cap?
Exhaust? How does it look? Can you see it in normal temperature? How does it smell? Color?
Does the coolant level go down?
How does the oil look?

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
It has been this way since I've owned it for 9 years and 181k miles.


Run it another 181,000 just to be sure....

 

[SwampSurvivor]

My focus does the same thing, seems to not make much heat at all.

If I drive it hard, or do stop and go, it will come up to temperature. I've had the thermostat verified good, but just doens't make heat.

I can drive it for 30 minutes on a cold morning, on the highway, get to work and pull the cap off and stick my finger in the radiator. Stone cold. There's also very little heat coming from the engine bay.

Only thing I've found that works is blocking off the grilles.

Ive come to the conclusion that the car just cools too darn well and doesn't burn enough gas to make heat. On my morning commute on these cold mornings, I'm averaging around 32MPG. I commute 8 miles to work. That means I'm burning less than 1/3 gallon of gas. That wouldn't make much heat anyway if I was burning it in a coffee can.

My car runs at the thermostat opening even in the summer. I sat in traffic with the AC on and it was 95 out, the coolant temperature was about 200F - not hot enough for the fan to kick on. The car just cools efficiently

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
My focus does the same thing, seems to not make much heat at all.

If I drive it hard, or do stop and go, it will come up to temperature. I've had the thermostat verified good, but just doens't make heat.

I can drive it for 30 minutes on a cold morning, on the highway, get to work and pull the cap off and stick my finger in the radiator. Stone cold. There's also very little heat coming from the engine bay.

Only thing I've found that works is blocking off the grilles.

Ive come to the conclusion that the car just cools too darn well and doesn't burn enough gas to make heat. On my morning commute on these cold mornings, I'm averaging around 32MPG. I commute 8 miles to work. That means I'm burning less than 1/3 gallon of gas. That wouldn't make much heat anyway if I was burning it in a coffee can.

My car runs at the thermostat opening even in the summer. I sat in traffic with the AC on and it was 95 out, the coolant temperature was about 200F - not hot enough for the fan to kick on. The car just cools efficiently


@Miller88: we gave you advice RE: your factory thermostat maybe faulty and you chose not to go through that route and get it replaced. So your cooling problem is a matter of your own consequence and not by factory design. (if it's faulty, get it fixed right away).

Q.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Quest
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My focus does the same thing, seems to not make much heat at all.

If I drive it hard, or do stop and go, it will come up to temperature. I've had the thermostat verified good, but just doens't make heat.

I can drive it for 30 minutes on a cold morning, on the highway, get to work and pull the cap off and stick my finger in the radiator. Stone cold. There's also very little heat coming from the engine bay.

Only thing I've found that works is blocking off the grilles.

Ive come to the conclusion that the car just cools too darn well and doesn't burn enough gas to make heat. On my morning commute on these cold mornings, I'm averaging around 32MPG. I commute 8 miles to work. That means I'm burning less than 1/3 gallon of gas. That wouldn't make much heat anyway if I was burning it in a coffee can.

My car runs at the thermostat opening even in the summer. I sat in traffic with the AC on and it was 95 out, the coolant temperature was about 200F - not hot enough for the fan to kick on. The car just cools efficiently


@Miller88: we gave you advice RE: your factory thermostat maybe faulty and you chose not to go through that route and get it replaced. So your cooling problem is a matter of your own consequence and not by factory design. (if it's faulty, get it fixed right away).

Q.


The dealer has tested the thermostat not faulty. There's not much else I can do. If Ford isn't replacing it under warranty, I'm not dropping $200 for a thermostat.

If the thermostat cost $5 I would do it myself. Unfortunately, it has the outlet / inlet tube and temp sensor

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
The dealer has tested the thermostat not faulty. There's not much else I can do. If Ford isn't replacing it under warranty, I'm not dropping $200 for a thermostat.

If the thermostat cost $5 I would do it myself. Unfortunately, it has the outlet / inlet tube and temp sensor


That's your choice whether you want to deal with it or not, but by saying that it's normal because your faulty Focus does the same, you're spreading misinformation.

In regards to OP, I don’t think it’s normal. Maybe the thermostat is bypassed somehow or not closing all the way. But the car can definitely make enough heat to warm it up properly.

 

[punisher]

First, don't trust your temp gauge. If possible get a scan tool to find out what the ECT reads at "normal" op temp. The fact you have not gotten any OBD codes referring to "insufficient coolant temp/excessive time to enter close loop" would make me think there might be an actual gauge problem vs a coolant temp problem.

 

[GearheadTool]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: Quest
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My focus does the same thing, seems to not make much heat at all.

If I drive it hard, or do stop and go, it will come up to temperature. I've had the thermostat verified good, but just doens't make heat.

I can drive it for 30 minutes on a cold morning, on the highway, get to work and pull the cap off and stick my finger in the radiator. Stone cold. There's also very little heat coming from the engine bay.

Only thing I've found that works is blocking off the grilles.

Ive come to the conclusion that the car just cools too darn well and doesn't burn enough gas to make heat. On my morning commute on these cold mornings, I'm averaging around 32MPG. I commute 8 miles to work. That means I'm burning less than 1/3 gallon of gas. That wouldn't make much heat anyway if I was burning it in a coffee can.

My car runs at the thermostat opening even in the summer. I sat in traffic with the AC on and it was 95 out, the coolant temperature was about 200F - not hot enough for the fan to kick on. The car just cools efficiently


@Miller88: we gave you advice RE: your factory thermostat maybe faulty and you chose not to go through that route and get it replaced. So your cooling problem is a matter of your own consequence and not by factory design. (if it's faulty, get it fixed right away).

Q.


The dealer has tested the thermostat not faulty. There's not much else I can do. If Ford isn't replacing it under warranty, I'm not dropping $200 for a thermostat.

If the thermostat cost $5 I would do it myself. Unfortunately, it has the outlet / inlet tube and temp sensor


Miller88 How did you "block off the grilles?"

And OP: How do the head gasket checklists look? Is there mayo-y crud on the oil cap or anything like that?

I am trying to figure out why your cooling system won't pressurize. That, or the thermo really IS overcooling (stuck open/failsafe..)

Try a cooler Stat?

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: Quest
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My focus does the same thing, seems to not make much heat at all.

If I drive it hard, or do stop and go, it will come up to temperature. I've had the thermostat verified good, but just doens't make heat.

I can drive it for 30 minutes on a cold morning, on the highway, get to work and pull the cap off and stick my finger in the radiator. Stone cold. There's also very little heat coming from the engine bay.

Only thing I've found that works is blocking off the grilles.

Ive come to the conclusion that the car just cools too darn well and doesn't burn enough gas to make heat. On my morning commute on these cold mornings, I'm averaging around 32MPG. I commute 8 miles to work. That means I'm burning less than 1/3 gallon of gas. That wouldn't make much heat anyway if I was burning it in a coffee can.

My car runs at the thermostat opening even in the summer. I sat in traffic with the AC on and it was 95 out, the coolant temperature was about 200F - not hot enough for the fan to kick on. The car just cools efficiently



Q.


The dealer has tested the thermostat not faulty. There's not much else I can do. If Ford isn't replacing it under warranty, I'm not dropping $200 for a thermostat.

If the thermostat cost $5 I would do it myself. Unfortunately, it has the outlet / inlet tube and temp sensor


So you were hoping Ford would replace it under warranty with 223K?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Black duct tape on the lower grille, it's flat honey comb type surface. Works like a charm! Heats up quicker and the car doesn't even overheat.

Also blocking off most of the inside of the upper grille.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
eljefino,
It's not a GM..Which wear out and are VERY quick to overheat

Yeah - right.

 

[GearheadTool]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
eljefino,
It's not a GM..Which wear out and are VERY quick to overheat

Yeah - right.


Fords of the 80s used to make F.O.R.D. stand for something.

That said.. OP, how is that HG checklist.