Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec Heat issues with 3 liter.

A chip is a good idea for tuning, but not if you only want to turn the fans on earlier. The problem with that approach is if the engine runs inherently hotter for some reason, then the fans will be on all the time. Fans will wear out faster and of course they do take power to run. I won't go into the whole heat transfer theory again, but suffice it to say if the coolant temp is alot higher than the ambient air temp then your cooling efficiency, or heat rejection is better. Turning the fans on lower makes the cooling system run at a lower efficiency level. I'm not sure if it is good/bad insofar as heat exchange because if the cooling system is dumping heat all the time with the fans on then it may be irrelevant that it is less efficient. However, fans wearing out and running all the time drawing power could be annoying and cost more fuel over the long term.

My advice is to do some checks and figure out why it runs so hot. If you have an SVT radiator then I'm still pointing the finger at un-opened coolant passages in the head gasket causing stagnant coolant in some parts of the head and block. This may not be real problem, but then it might. It may definitely increase the chances of pinging because of hot-spots around the head.

war...