95 Escort 1.9L Overheats

[tmcanu]

Greetings all,

My Escort still overheats after changing the thermostat, radiator and water pump. I'm kind of at a loss to figure out where to go from here. It only overheats when I run the air-conditioner and let it set or when driving at 20mph with the A/C on for an extended period of time.

[AzTumbleweed]

I'd say remove the thermostat and see what happens. The new one could be bad.

I assume the fan works?

[AzTumbleweed]

when you say 'overheat' do you mean it's boilng over in to the coolant reservoir?

[tmcanu]

Here's a bit more detail...

In the past two weeks I've changed the transmission fluid/filter, fuel filter, pcv valve, air filter, breather, radiator, water pump, thermostat, and cooling fan. Just changed the oil/filter today.

Anyway. After doing all that, I drove the car 20 - 30 mph with the A/C on MAX for about 10- 15 min. The car would heat up to about the mid point on the temp gauge, then it would drop back down to where it normally runs at. So, I would stop with the car and A/C on for a period of 10 - 15 min and the car would red line on the temp gauge.

I love this little Escort because of the mileage, but with the temps daily in the mid to upper 90s lately, it's really starting to grate on my nerves with the car overheating.

By the way, we did take out the thermostat and run with it out for a period of 45 min and it did the same thing...

Any other ideas???

Thanks for any and all comments....

[AzTumbleweed]

If it's not boiling over then are you sure the temp gage is right?
Due to the fact your temp gage shows a drop in temp after a few moments I'd say this is because the thermostat working correctly. So, maybe the gage?

If not the gage then I'd guess a blown head gasket.

Outside chance: Dirty A/C condensor blocking airflow to radiator.