1999 Ford Escort temperature Guage won't rise
Asked by slick2005 Jan 19, 2016 at 08:59 PM about the 1999 Ford Escort 4 Dr SE Sedan
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 1999 ford escort. I have replaced the
radiator and all the hoses. I also have replaced the
thermostat twice and my thermostat Guage in the
car will not rise above the cold side. I can only get
the temperature to rise if I leave the car sitting and
running for 15 minutes and the heat will be great.
Once I start driving the temperature Guage drops
below cold and the heat isn't hot anymore. I
sometimes smell antifreeze when I turn the heat
on as well. Do I need a Heather core and is it
something else?
7 Answers
How cold is it where you live? You may need to block off most of the radiator so that cold air does not pass through it.
Calvinator answered 8 years ago
Use cardboard in front of the radiator. Make sure all your fluids are full. Make sure you put new thermostat in up side right. Check for any fluids on the ground. May have small pin hole in heater core.
Try blocking off half the radiator and see what happens but keep a close eye on the temperature gauge!
I blocked off the radiator like yall said to do and the Guage rose up above the cold range barely and my heat inside the car was back to like it use to be. Does that mean I need a new thermostat?
Is it the heater core or thermostat?