93 Escort overcooling

Greetings to the group.

My 1.9L escort (162k miles) will barely get into lowest end of "normal" on gauge after 30 minutes of driving. I don't think it is a defective gauge...the heater air is barely warm. I have:

1. Flushed coolant repeatedly and replaced w/ 50/50 mix.
2. Replaced thermostat with new one - OEM version. It got better for 1 month - Temp got to "N" in the N-O-R-M-A-L. Now, it's back to way below N.

What to try next? Another OEM t-stat? Another T-stat that opens at higher temp?

Thanks so much, Doug

Did it have A/C at one time and now has it been removed?

Jeff, no...has AC and always did.

Yesterday, I replaced the tstat with a Ford OEM one. I got normal temp (between O-R in N-O-R-M-A-L gauge) for 1/2 hour...then upon restart later...back down below N. I'm starting to think this is the O-ring isn't seating completely and am getting some blow by like the tstat is always partially open. Next, I'll get another O-ring and redo. Well, they say Third time is the charm. LOL. Doug

Try replacing your temp sending unit. It is in a heater hose in the vicinity of the coil pack. It is only $10 or so and easy to do.

Thanks, Mightymoose

Been there done that. I had a posting just like yours. I dont buy changing the temp sensor as the antifreeze temp is actually cooler than what a high temp themostat should be producing. In winter weather I cant get adequat heat for the interior of the car. I suspect the metal housing where the thermostat resides has some sort of bypass arrangement but got no feedback to confirm or deny this. Hope someone out there has a cure.

bebopinbill, I'll do it a 3rd time this weekend and this time, I'm gonna take the tstat housing all the way off and inspect it good (before, I just folded it over and couldn't see totally inside.)

Ford is sneaky, here. Took the tstat housing all the way out this time. There is a big bypass circuit around the tstat...it goes thru 2 cylinders with a ? float ball or ? check valve...unsure which. Anyway, I lubed inside the cylinders and it seemed freer. So, this housing has basically an internal tstat along with a conventional one. I'm getting fairly good heat but still a little low on gauge temp...I can live with it especially since summer is approaching. I'd rather have a little cool than hot.

Ford dealer wants $200 for the housing! Now, the 93 1.8L engine tstat housing (just basic - no cylinders) is $24. I kinda doubt there is 10x more engineering or material in the 1.9L housing. I'd bet Ford figured they could extract more $ from our pockets...LOL. As cheap as I am, I thought about partially blocking the cylinder circuit but sure as the world, I'll overheat it and crack the head.

Thanks again, guys.

The 93 Escort 1.8 engine is built by Mazda. You can save major bucks by buying engine parts from a Mazda dealer or an aftermarket jobber. Fords markup is exhorbitant on these parts. I recently priced an exhaust flex pipe: at Ford it was over $700 Can. while at a jobber it was $130 Can.. Draw your own conclusions!

I am experiencing the same problem.. see my post on 95 escort overcooling for the full scoop. Have you solved it yet? I am looking for a solution - I want to be warm next winter plus you get better mpg with a warm engine.

My '93 1.9L had a problem, the radiator fan never came on. I took the relays out and hooked it up so the fan blows low speed all the time, now it barely gets up to the "N" even on warm days with the air conditioning on. Funny thing is that even with the the fan going all the time, the heater blows hot after only a few minutes running, maybe five minutes, even with the heater fan going from the start. Even with the radiator fan not running at all, the temp gauge would stay just below "N" when on the freeway.

Re your 03-21-2004 post about the novel thermostat housing, I'm anxious to hear how it's going, please tell.

I am still struggling with the too cool problem just like you. Have you reached any solutions yet? Your help is appreciated.

willye, after reading your "1995 Escort overcooling problem" thread about opening the heater hose port...I thought that had done it. In fact, last night I bought a 1.9L tstat housing off ebay to try what you did. LOL . You mean it didn't work?

The engine still does not heat up as quickly as it should. I make alot of short trips uround 4-5 miles and the temp does not exceed 160 or so by my SUN gauge. The cold weather is really making the problem more apparent.

Making the heater outlet wider is a step in the right direction but I am not sure it is the solution. The housing you got on Ebay will be good to have so you can study its construction and maybe figure out a way to improve circulation to the heater circuit. Is this a new housing? If the by-pass circuit is still good it may fix your problem. If so, please let me know.

This is the first car I have ever had with this type of problem where the design of the heater circuit appears to be causing it.


I like my Escort and enjoy driving it, but it gets pretty cold out there some times!!