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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 17
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 17 |
Opinions please.
I've got a 1995 Contour GL, 2.0L, 109,000 miles.
I had to replace the thermostat? Dealer (OEM) says 192(F)
is best but it seems to run a little hot.
Got a 180(F) in there now, Seems OK for summer in the deep
South (Central Alabama). Should I switch back for winter?
Are there disadvantages to the 180? Parts guy says it won't
pass emission test with lower engine temp.
Opinions / Experiences welcome.
Gary J.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 36
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 36 |
OK!
Myexperience is this. I live in Kanaduh!! and the requirement is high temp. for winter and low temp. for summer. Those four bangers run very hot..particularly in the summer. Therefore, if you run the highertemp. thermo you might possibly run the risk of overheating especially in the summer. In general, the cooler you run the engine, the more life you will get out of it. I know the winters are mild in your part of the country...been there...loved it. My best advice would be to use the low temp.
Now..regarding the emissions testing....my experience has been to run the engine hard before testing...get it good and hot....a nice fast highway run and straight to the testing station. Use good quality gas as well and maybe some "emissions pass" additive if you are a little nervous.
Overall, if the engine is hot when it is tested, there should not be any problems.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 36
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 36 |
OK!
My experience is this. I live in Kanaduh!! and the requirement is high temp. for winter and low temp. for summer. Those four bangers run very hot..particularly in the summer. Therefore, if you run the higher temp. thermo you might possibly run the risk of overheating especially in the summer. In general, the cooler you run the engine, the more life you will get out of it. I know the winters are mild in your part of the country...been there...loved it.So for me, the winter is very cold here..I need the high temp. thermo if only to get heat in the cab. But in summer I switch to lo-temp. You might be surprised to know that it gets very hot here in the summmer ..100F plus on the worst days...and very humid. My best advice would be to use the low temp.
Now..regarding the emissions testing....my experience has been to run the engine hard before testing...get it good and hot....a nice fast highway run and straight to the testing station. Use good quality gas as well and maybe some "emissions pass" additive if you are a little nervous.
Overall, if the engine is hot and in good tune when it is tested, there should not be any problems.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,085
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,085 |
It doesn't take a long time to change and there is no gasket to goo up, so .......
Change to 180* and back for smog test.
Both of mine are happier at 180* and so am I.
2012 Lotus Evora
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95 Mystique MTX - GONE 395,000 Kms
--------- Both Zetecs
'97 Contour Mtx - stock - GONE
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 47
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 47 |
How do you change a thermostat? In a zetec.
1995 MERCURY TRACER 1.9 A/T AC 99054 MILES BUYING CONTOUR IN MARCH FROM FRIEND IT' 1997 GS ZETECT A/T LOADED
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,459
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,459 |
I'm no engineer, but something tells me that Ford selected that thermostat for a reason. I have a sneaky suspicion that fuel combustion is more complete at higher temps, but that's just a suspicion.
95 Contour Zetec, ATX (wrecked, sitting in the barn)
95 Mystique Zetec, MTX
2000 Taurus SEL 3.0L Duratec
1994 Crown Victoria LX 4.6 V8
1993 Chevy Silverado 4.3 V6
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,085
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,085 |
Originally posted by JACKHAWK:
How do you change a thermostat? In a zetec.
Real easy
Step one - Buy a Book
Step two - follow directions in book
Ya , I know
2012 Lotus Evora
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95 Mystique MTX - GONE 395,000 Kms
--------- Both Zetecs
'97 Contour Mtx - stock - GONE
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 682
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 682 |
The thermostat is in a black plastic cube on the driver end of the engine, with rubber hoses attached to various sides, held on by three bolts. You may have to disconnect other crap, such as the PCV pipe, to get it loose. It's a pain. The thermostat is between this cube and the engine block. There's a thin little o-ring thingy that goes around it... a thin touch of RTV silicone on that ring can be of value when reassembling.
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