2 weeks ago my 2001 Ford Focus's Temperature Gauge showed the car was buried in the red. This was after about 10 mins of driving and 10 mins of idling. The car didn't smell hot, nor did the engie seem over heated. It didn't steam, smoke, boil over etc. The coolant level was fine, the oil level was fine. The only leak is a small oil leak in the valve cover but not significant enough to even have to add oil between oil changes. I grew up with mechanics so I decided to have the car towed to my mechanic (never drive a hot car). My Mechanic had it the next day and said he let it run on idle and it would run a lil over half way then the electric fan would kick in and bring it down to normal. He couldn't find anything else wrong so he decided to pull of the thermostat and noticed the thermostat casings were bad. He replaced both casings, O rings, and the Thermostat. I got the car back and it was fine, until last night. I drove it about 9 miles to go to a party when I got there to park the car temperature gauge was buried in the red again!
I was very frusterated. I let the car cool off for 20 or so minutes. Started it up and drove all the way home the 9 miles again and the temperature remained normal? My Mechanic said there were no leaks in the radiator, or water pump. The hoses looked fine, and the coolant levels were normal.
Does anyone know what else it could be? I am thinking possibly a sensor to let the fan know it needs to come on? I am at my wits end on this? Please help?
2 weeks ago my 2001 Ford Focus's Temperature Gauge showed the car was buried in the red. This was after about 10 mins of driving and 10 mins of idling. The car didn't smell hot, nor did the engie seem over heated. It didn't steam, smoke, boil over etc. The coolant level was fine, the oil level was fine. The only leak is a small oil leak in the valve cover but not significant enough to even have to add oil between oil changes. I grew up with mechanics so I decided to have the car towed to my mechanic (never drive a hot car). My Mechanic had it the next day and said he let it run on idle and it would run a lil over half way then the electric fan would kick in and bring it down to normal. He couldn't find anything else wrong so he decided to pull of the thermostat and noticed the thermostat casings were bad. He replaced both casings, O rings, and the Thermostat. I got the car back and it was fine, until last night. I drove it about 9 miles to go to a party when I got there to park the car temperature gauge was buried in the red again!
I was very frusterated. I let the car cool off for 20 or so minutes. Started it up and drove all the way home the 9 miles again and the temperature remained normal? My Mechanic said there were no leaks in the radiator, or water pump. The hoses looked fine, and the coolant levels were normal.
Does anyone know what else it could be? I am thinking possibly a sensor to let the fan know it needs to come on? I am at my wits end on this? Please help?
- focus_girl, Aurora, CO, US