Overheating

I have a 95 contour which I've changed the thermostat twice and still overheats, or the needle rides on the red. When I turn the ignition key on in the morning, te needle immedietly goes to the M in normal. Within 5-6 miles its riding the edge of normal and red. If I remember right, it used to begin in the white at the far left when starting the first time of the day. The engine light comes on frequently for a few seconds, then goes off. I've tried t have that diagnosed but nobody could ever duplicate why the light came on, and the computer did not store the info. However, I didn't have cooling problems when this was going on in the past, and thought I would throw that in there just incase.

My water and coolant is full. This car has 175K miles on it and has been a great car. I don't want to crack a head or gasket or harm it in any way. I think its probably got another 50-75k miles to go.

Give me the engine type and I'll give you a link to contour.org with the answer. ;)

Its a 4cyl DOHC 16V

Its a 4cyl DOHC 16V

Okay. Second question. Are you for sure the car is overheating? I know the gauge indicates its hot, but is the coolant actually boiling? Zetecs are notorious for having bad temperature sensors and reading incorrectly.

if the gauge immediately rises to M on a cold engine then the temp sender or gauge is bad. I doubt its actually overheating

Well, here's the problem now. The guage (after sitting for 14hrs) will go from cold to hot with 1/4 mile. And when I say Hot, I mean buried in or past the red on the temperature guage. If this is a sensor or smething, what do I do to change it myself? And for what part am I asking for?

Well, here's the problem now. The guage (after sitting for 14hrs) will go from cold to hot with 1/4 mile. And when I say Hot, I mean buried in or past the red on the temperature guage. If this is a sensor or smething, what do I do to change it myself? And for what part am I asking for?

Obviously, its impossible for a car to overheat that fast. You could probably run zero coolant and it wouldnt even overheat that fast. Im sure if you popped the hood like I suggest earlier, you would see that the coolant is perfectly fine and not bubbling. Its the sensor. Ask the dealership for a coolant temperature sensor.