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Joined: Jan 2005
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My '96 Contour has shown no movement on the temp gage to speak of in about a year. I feel the thermostate is stuck open. Question is how hard is it to change it. Directions for the mechanically challenged would be appreciated.
'96 GL Contour Zetec I4 mtx
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Ah yes, the Zetek. The hybrid engine that powers the Aztek. j/k 
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Addicted CEG\'er
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the temp gauge doesnt have much to do with the theromostat, its the sending unit... That temperature gauge is extremely sensitive, so if it doesnt move, something isnt plugged in correctly, or the sending unit has failed... You would know if your thermostat is bad because the engine will either run to cold, or to hot... And FYI its normal for that gauge to read pretty high before the radiator fan kicks on, its got a fiarly low temperature setting which makes it look like its running to hot, but really its at normal operating tempreture.
98 Corolla LE 1.8L DOHC 1ZZFE
TEIN H.Tech Springs
Tokico HP series Struts
Short ram air intake
Tsudo Axel Back Exhaust
... if a jelly fish stung me.. would you pee on the wound?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
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Thanks Alias- The temp gages doesn't show hot. It never moves from cold. Extreme left all the time whether its running or not. Runs OK but you can feel the heater air heats up slowly not all at once like the thermostate opening up.
'96 GL Contour Zetec I4 mtx
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
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3 bolts and a coolant line. Very easy. Bit of a mess, but it's no more than a 15 minute job, especially if you're quick with the cleanup. Make sure you get a new gasket for it too.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Ok,I'm getting ready to replace my Thermostat as I have exactly the same problem as the fellower CEG'er. Which side of the thermostat goes where? For example the Duracraft 180 degree thermostat I bought from Autozone (bought 20min ago 12:33am) has a small spring on one side and a rounded surface on the opposite side. On which side does the gasket go?
-Black '96 GL 160k
-Car #30953
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
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Both, it goes round and round.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Originally posted by jpshaw:
My '96 Contour has shown no movement on the temp gage to speak of in about a year. I feel the thermostate is stuck open. Question is how hard is it to change it. Directions for the mechanically challenged would be appreciated.
Lol, ok first off, it is a THERMOSTAT on a ZETEC engine. I have had problems w/ my temp gague too- it gets to about 1/3 of the way up, and won't go any higher. I replaced the thermostat, just as a part of routine maintince, and it didn't make a difference. Replace your temperature gauge sender unit, it is under the 2 radiator hoses that go into the thermostat housing. This is right to the right of the valve cover/main engine part. Looks like a little plug sticking out, facing the radiator. I just posted a question about this not long ago, try searching for it, I think there was pics in it, and a nice how to. Good luck, and if you find the part number for the sender unit, let me know, I can't find it anywhere.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
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Have you hooked up obd2 software to see if the engine is actually getting hotter as to warrant the gauge moving higher? Maybe you just got lucky and got a zetec that doesn't get hot.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 880
Veteran CEG\'er
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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Have you hooked up obd2 software to see if the engine is actually getting hotter as to warrant the gauge moving higher? Maybe you just got lucky and got a zetec that doesn't get hot.
Mine was getting to the M-A-L area just 4 months ago, and now I can't get it to go over the N. I'll try the sending unit if I can find the item # I'll check SLM's site, and let you all know...I just changed my thermostat and gasket(Duracraft 180 degree) easy 7 min job start to finish lost about a coffee cup full of antifreeze no biggie.
-Black '96 GL 160k
-Car #30953
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