95 Escort runs hot

[squidlips]

"95 Escort LX 1.9L runs hot at idle (around the L in normal). I've replaced the thermostat 3 times. I'm not sure but I think OEM is 195 not 180. Tell me if I'm wrong. I've also replaced the fan temp sender, the fan and the radiator. I'm out of parts to replace and I still have the problem. What now?

[discnik]

When you say fan temp. sender are you talking about the temp. sensor ?

Does the vehicle return to middle of the gauge when you are driving, not idling ?

Does the cooling fan turn on after you have reached normal operating temp. ?

Have you tried swapping a known good relay with the cooling fan relays ?
According to my wiring diagram there is a low speed and high speed relay.

[patbeechermail]

have you checked the water pump, and if external, belt driven, belt maybe loose? maybe not getting enough coolant circulation while at idle.

[Davescort97]

i'd go along with a defective water pump. It runs off the timing belt. Like previous poster says, it could have low ouput at idle.

[mightymoose_22]

Ditto on the water pump... it is the only thing that makes sense that you didn't mention.
You can confirm by feeling for pressure on the upper hose when the engine is hot... use a rag or something so you don't hurt yourself. If it is working properly the pressure on the hose should be firm when the thermostat is open. So if you know your tstat is good and have no pressure... its the pump.

[AzTumbleweed]

Mine acted like this when the radiator was clogged up.

[mightymoose_22]

Ya my first thought was radiator too, but that has been replaced already... so it seems the coolant probably isn't circulating due to the pump rather than a clog.

[AzTumbleweed]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

Ya my first thought was radiator too, but that has been replaced already... so it seems the coolant probably isn't circulating due to the pump rather than a clog.

Now that I've read it ALL I can see that I've erred

[squidlips]

Sorry all, I forgot that the first thing I did to the car after I bought it, 1.5 years ago, was the water pump and timing belt.

It warms up fine, but the fan doesn't come on until the top 1/3rd of the gauge. It does go down when moving and stays low in winter.

My radiator hoses do feel pressurized when it is hot.

Fan relays? Where are those at? I may just take a look at those.

[Davescort97]

The fan relays are located in the CCRM.

[AzTumbleweed]

Originally Posted by squidlips

...the fan doesn't come on until the top 1/3rd of the gauge...

That's where my fan kicks in. Has always been like that. Maybe it's OK.

[Selectron]

I think the CCRM only came in with the third generation, so on the '95 the relays should be on the fender. The 1.9L has two fan relays - well, three actually because there's a main Cooling Fan Power Relay in the engine compartment fuse box, and then there are the Cooling Fan Hi Speed Relay and Cooling Fan Lo Speed Relay, both mounted towards the front of the driver's side fender. The PCM switches on the lo-speed relay at 220ºF, and then switches on the hi-speed relay at 230ºF, so it's possible that the lo-speed relay isn't working. Maybe Tumbleweed is right and a high-ish reading is normal but it would be worth checking the lo-speed relay anyway.

'95 Escort 1.9L cooling fan wiring diagram - part 1
'95 Escort 1.9L cooling fan wiring diagram - part 2

'95 Escort 1.9L lo-speed, hi-speed, cooling fan relay locations