I have rather thick e-skin.. no worries.
You are right.. I assumed you hadn't actually checked the air in the system, or tried massaging the system, as you only replid with "there is no air", and not "well.. tried that, and no luck... no air.." or anything.. so..
for that, I apologize... good deal on the tester.. I am PERSONALLY thinking it may be a sticking thermo, or PERHAPS a failING WP.. (though VERY rare on the Zetec.)
Edit: wrong person. was answering a PM on here! lol..
So, as it stands now, you haven't replaced the ECT, but you pulled it and the fan runs fine when you pull it?
Ray