Questions and Answers

Ford Escort Ghia Cooling System Q. Hi, I have a 1996 Ford Escort Ghia UK. 1.6i 16v Zetec, Manual 5-Speed transmission with 35,500 Miles. I wanted to know whether the following is normal: Start the car, let the car warm up. The car actually carries on warming up until it reaches the point where the fan needs to come on. This takes about 45 mins depending on the weather.

Is this normal or should the temperature stabilize at some point? This happens when the car is idle and also after you've just come of the motorway. The temperature indicator has a white block at the start and a red block at the end ie. indicating cold and hot.

In between the white and red block it says "NORMAL". It stays within this region of "NORMAL", but my main concern is, is this supposed to happen the temperature fluctuating up and down. Its been checked by the dealers and they say its fine. They said they've done a "pressure test" and it passed.

Thanks,
Yas

A. This is how the cooling system operates.

On models equipped with manual transaxle, there is a single speed electrical cooling fan, fan control relay, and a fan motor switch in the water outlet connection. Circuit closes and fan operates at 207° F and turns of at 221° F. On vehicles equipped with air conditioning, fan control relay coil is grounded when air condition system is activated and fan runs continuously.

On models equipped with 4EAT automatic transaxle, there is a dual speed cooling fan with separate cooling fan switches and control relays for high and low speeds. High speed switch is mounted into radiator side header tank and closes at 221° F. The low speed switch closes at 207° F.

It is normal for the cooling fan to cycle on and off. If the car sits idling the fan will come on after the engine reaches normal operating temperature and shut off when the coolant reaches 207° F.

As for the temperature gauge, since we are looking at about a 15° variation, there will be some fluctuation visible on the dash gauge. If there is a wide variation then it is possible you may need a new thermostat.

But from what you describe, I don't see anything wrong and the cooling system seems to be operating normally.