1992 Mercury Tracer Heater Problems

Over this winter period, I noticed that the temperature of the heat within my 1992 Mercury Tracer was slowly diminishing and that the temperature gauge rarely went past the "C" mark. After initial fault finding, the signs seemed to point to a problem with the thermostat. I subsequently changed the thermostat twice (I thought that the first one that I purchased could have had a factory defect) and it still did not resolve the heat issue within the vehicle. As well, approximately a month ago, I replaced the heater core (there was a smell of antifreeze when the heat was turned on) and have thoroughly flushed the radiator, heater core, and engine block. To give you some background, I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and during the past couple of months, the temperature has dropped between -40 to -50 degrees Celsius (Wind-chill included), but this does not seem to have a diverse effect on the temperature of the heat from my other two vehicles (even my 1969 GMC truck blows out hotter air). The other interesting thing that I noticed was that when I had the blower heat control levers to the extreme left position (i.e. cool, internal air, and panel), I would sometimes see a slight rise of the temperature gauge from the "C" to the "N" in the normal range. Any help or insight in regards to this matter would be greatly appreciated, as obviously the cold temperatures and minimal vehicle heat are a dangerous mixture.

Over this winter period, I noticed that the temperature of the heat within my 1992 Mercury Tracer was slowly diminishing and that the temperature gauge rarely went past the "C" mark. After initial fault finding, the signs seemed to point to a problem with the thermostat. I subsequently changed the thermostat twice (I thought that the first one that I purchased could have had a factory defect) and it still did not resolve the heat issue within the vehicle. As well, approximately a month ago, I replaced the heater core (there was a smell of antifreeze when the heat was turned on) and have thoroughly flushed the radiator, heater core, and engine block. To give you some background, I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and during the past couple of months, the temperature has dropped between -40 to -50 degrees Celsius (Wind-chill included), but this does not seem to have a diverse effect on the temperature of the heat from my other two vehicles (even my 1969 GMC truck blows out hotter air). The other interesting thing that I noticed was that when I had the blower heat control levers to the extreme left position (i.e. cool, internal air, and panel), I would sometimes see a slight rise of the temperature gauge from the "C" to the "N" in the normal range. Any help or insight in regards to this matter would be greatly appreciated, as obviously the cold temperatures and minimal vehicle heat are a dangerous mixture.
I had the same problem on my 99 escort it was the thermostat seal the thermostat don't sit on either side of it there is a slit going around the center of the seal and the thermostat goes in there before you install it. worked for me hope it will for you.

Thanks for the information, but just to make sure that I understand you correctly, when you refer to the seal, are you talking about the gasket that comes with a new thermostat or something located either on the engine or radiator hose side of the thermostat? Please advise so that I can have all the necessary equipment available prior to undertaking this task.

Thanks for the information, but just to make sure that I understand you correctly, when you refer to the seal, are you talking about the gasket that comes with a new thermostat or something located either on the engine or radiator hose side of the thermostat? Please advise so that I can have all the necessary equipment available prior to undertaking this task.

Replaced thermostat (for the third time since I have owned the vehicle) and the heat and temperature guage fault are now resolved.