Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Thermostat location on 96 contour

My wife and I just bought our 96 contour and the temp gauge is running on the L after you start to drive it. Bought a new thermostat and gasket for it and couldn't find the thermostat. We thought maybe it would be on top like our Thunderbird, but it's not. Are we overlooking it? Please help.

If it is a v6 engine, it is on top below the throttle plate. There is a metal housing...I'd recommend to go buy a hanes manual....

Bob

It's a 4 cyl. Will it still be in the same place? And that's what I was going to do when I get off of work tomorrow.
Thanks

pretty sure it wont be

Ok...
On the 4cyl it is under the resonator on the front upper right side of the engine. You can't see it unless you move the resonator (the funny black flat plastic thing that sticks off of the intake tube).
If you loosen the two clamps on either side of where it connects to the tube you can gently pull the tip out of the rubber bushing and rotate it straight in the air to get ti out of the way.
You will see the "dog house" with two (I think) hoses connected. Drain part of your radiator to get the level below your thermo so it will be dry for reinstall.
There are two bolts that hold it in place.
Piece of cake.
Good luck,
Hallboy

I thank you so much. This is the major problem that I was concerned about. The only other one was a clanking noise when the heater is turned on. I think it's just the flaps hitting metal when the air is blown in and out of the vents. Again thank you.

Also, keep in mind, the Zetec's run (what appears to be) a little toasty. Its not uncommon to see them on the higher end of the 'normal' in city traffic. Mine always read like yours does but after I got some real guages I found I was sitting at 195 degrees.

Thats under the resonator, and below the area of the coil pack... Right past that hose there is a metal fasoner... That has 3 bolts on it.. 2 on top, one on bottom... Take those three bolts off... Pop off the houseing and pop out the old thermostat... Put the new gasket on the new stat. pop the new one in, close up the hose bolt it back on, have a beer, your done...

A couple of sidenotes:

Put a large pan under the area of the houseing... a lot of coolent will leak out, and buy some 50/50 Coolent to re-add.