Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance A definitive solution to Cooling Problem

Hi Guys (and Gals) I sincerely wish that someone would come up with a definitive solution to the Zetec overheating problem that Ford insist is not a problem. I have added an Oil Cooler to my Tour with the hope that it would have alleviated the problem no such luck, however, in that it now takes a bit longer for the temperature to read high on the gauge but it stills read as high as ?L? and sometimes it appears that it will enter the red zone. It should be noted that this only occurs when I use the AC when I drive without the AC the temperature fluctuate between ?M? and ?A? which I can live with in light of the fact that the cooling cuts in when the needle reaches ?A? on the gauge. Consequently can anyone give a definitive answer to the following 1) Can the twin fan used on the post 1997 models fit pre 1997 tours. 2) It there any tried and proven modification in existence that can alleviate this chronic and severe problem. Any and all suggestion/advise will be greatly appreciated.

It's not overheating until it gets into the red zone all the way over to the right. The guage is not linear, so the difference between M and L may only be a couple of degrees, while N is 50 degrees away. Dunno the exact numbers, just an example.

You don't need to be worried until the needle hits that red zone. If it's in the L you're fine and that's completely normal for a Ford four cylinder (my 91 Escort ran around the same place).

So far no ones has reported engine failures because of high reading so it must not be too big of a problem. I understand your dilema though. Have you used the 'Search' feature to see if someone has tried the dual fan mount. I seem to recall a thread about that sometime ago. FWIW, there is a dual fan shroud on eBay right now. Search under 'ford contour' and you'll find it. Good Luck.

Are the cooling systems somehow different from year to year? I didnt think so, but my Zetec wont go past halfway no matter what the temp is outside. After the resonator was removed and my intake was put on, it actually went down a little. Mabye I just got lucky with this car.

All depends on the temp sender. I've tried 6 so far and all have read at different parts of "Normal" from O to L. Fit yourself an Oil temperature guage like I did, its accurate and gives you a lot more info

The Zetec is not overheating until it goes into the far red

I have melted one engine so far due to the water pump failing, beware this happens to Zetec's as well as Duratecs. Also the temp senders often fail, normally by not reading higher than the normal temp but the are $10

On the thermostat housing the top sender is the fan sender, the one underneath is the guage sensor

Nominal temps

Water Thermostat open 92C
Fan On 102C

Oil temp cruising 85C
Max oil temp 105C

I have an oil cooler fitted as well as Oil Temp & pressure instrumentation. Single fan cools engine very quickly at a rate of 5C a min so is not on for long. Mondeo is very sensitive to road speed. When stationary temperature rises very quickly, even 5 mph will bring temp down rapidly. Worst scenario is threashing engine hard and then becomming stationary in traffic, the fan should cut in pretty quickly

I wish the same.... I hate to see the gauge getting close to the RED Zone...


I know some people say it is normal.. but It scares me to death...

I am afraid me engine will melt one of these hot days...

I posted the same thing on a different thread...guess I will post it hear also.
Although I've never heard of it being put on a Contour there IS a tried and true way to drop the operating temp of ANY engine, a custom fabricated aluminum radiator and a daul fan cowl is probably the most efective combo. There are several aluminum radiator makers on the internet that do custom work(about $800) and there is a dual fan cowl on Carparts.com(about $270) that could be sqeezed in by a die-hard Modifier.