Hello friends!

I'm really struggling! I have a 1.6 16v Y reg(2001) focus that has developed the 'temp gauge jumping into the red' syndrome. 

After investigating ( as you do when parked at roadside in a panic coz you've just noticed gauge), I didn't think the engine was hot at all, as in I had my hand holding my weight on top of engine while I was looking for any obvious leaks and only noticed that it was warm. Didn't help that it was raining cats and dogs at the time so couldn't tell if I had any leaks! And it was 4am.... And I didn't have a torch....

I wacked the blowers on max but also didn't think it was that hot sooooo I figured the thermostat has given up the ghost.

Had to Google to actually find location and then spent hours trying to get the ***** thing out! What happened to good old fashioned jubilee clips? Fecking spring clips are impossible to undo if you only have a few tools that you've found in the back of the shed because any decent tool you have is at the workshop which is a hundred miles away! Stuff thermostat in cup of hot water, wait. Nothing. Ok, it's busted.

Bought thermostat housing - delay in delivery because it's Hermes, to find out that the thermostat is separate! Duh! Went to Eurocar Parts and ordered one for next day as not in store. Fair enough.

Picked up new thermo, drove home, take out of packaging... well that doesn't look right....it's smaller in diameter and height.....heyho. Put in block. Can fit a double decker bus through the gap! Lots of swearing as store now shut. Online, order the other stat (only 2 options available) and wait til next afternoon as not on shelf. Grrrr.

Guess what? The same beeping thing! Too small diameter wise! how is that possible? You have to give them the effing reg number! I literally explode as I need a car for work this weekend and the car I have been using is unavailable.

I have read on here that others have been driving without a thermo without issue so I figured I could get away with it this weekend. Put everything back together and started to put water in, only to realise that's it's, ahem, peeing out of thermo housing!

I've given up. Need a cuppa. And it's dark. And it's cold. And I have no cover.....

I have the part no for thermostat but can't find it to buy on internet -  at a normal price (£110 on ebay!) so I'm wondering if anybody can advise which thermostat I should get. The one I have removed: 96mm8575bd motorcraft 82° doesn't bring up any purchase results.

It's approx 50mm across and 45mm tall.

Halfords have the same 2 stats as eurocar parts.

Also, have I cracked the housing? Or should I have put some sealant around it? I figured that it didn't need any. I could of got a wire or something in the way I spose....

Please help, I'm really stuck at the moment and I need to get to work......

 

Verity

 

 

leaving thermostat out should be ok to get car going as long as you don't mind the lack of heat from heater and I suppose someone will argue that the car will chuck out more emissions if not heated up properly.

thermostat cover, does it have a groove with rubber o ring in to seal? should be ok as long as the flat surface of the engine it presses on is cleaned up properly and not pitted with corrosion. However I do usually chuck some instant gasket on for good measure.   , if you have done it up and got something trapped in the way then it might now be distorted.

I feel your pain, I have had to do stuff like this before in dark cold rain. 

Someone I knew got frustarted in similar working conditions and threw a socket at his car, which smashed his windscreen. 

 

one of the main contributors posted about this just recently (within last 2 week)

its an ecu fault that sends it stupid - but he had a bodge that works around the failing ecu

does the mk1 focus definitely have the same type where the temp gauge is controlled by ecu? I know later ones do but don't know for sure about the mk1

did you search, he said mk1

On 11/16/2019 at 11:19 AM, isetta said:

thermostat cover, does it have a groove with rubber o ring in to seal? should be ok as long as the flat surface of the engine it presses on is cleaned up properly and not pitted with corrosion. However I do usually chuck some instant gasket on for good measure.   

Someone I knew got frustarted in similar working conditions and threw a socket at his car, which smashed his windscreen. 

 

I cleaned the surfaces as best I could and then took the o ring off of the old thermostat and put that in where it would be if still on thermostat AND put some Wynn's instant gasket around the whole thing. I made it to work (phew) and I made it back again(double phew!) but yes, it was cold!

Thank you so much for helping ease my mind.

The cows in the field were a bit concerned when I started kicking nothing and flapping my arms but thankfully I didn't break anything! That chap must be sooooo mad!

Botus - don't spose you have the name of the post? Seems interesting but so far the temp gauge seems to be on the low side for the time being thankfully.

On ‎11‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 7:15 PM, Verity Ferret said:

 

Botus - don't spose you have the name of the post? Seems interesting but so far the temp gauge seems to be on the low side for the time being thankfully.

I couldn't find it - gave up and by magic...

 

Reopening this thread I'm afraid!

Finally got a thermostat! It hasn't got the jiggle nipple thing on it, but it fits.

temp gauge still goes into red - uh must be air lock. Tried everything and I mean everything, no joy. Changed radiator. No joy. Changed water pump (and belt and tensioner). No joy. Changed cylinder head temp sensor(between spark plugs). Yes! Really? Test drive time.....again!

Yes, no overheat! Wait! What? Noooooo! Phew, gauge has gone back to centre. Must be last bubble popping! Eh? Now what? A misfire?WTF? Engine light flashing, funny noises. Must just be a bit damp from all the water splashing about trying to fix her.

EML no longer flashing just on. Limp mode? Didn't know this car could do that!? Grrrrrr! Back to the shed. Slowly...

At least it would seem the temp gauge is behaving.

P0304 code - cylinder 4 misfire. Replace sparks. Nope. Replace HT leads. Nope. Replace cool pack. Nope. Arrrrgh!! Oh hang on, I've got HT leads mixed up! Phew! She works! Sounds sweet! Fantastic! No more borrowing Dads van!

Gotta get new tyres as inside edge is bad. may as well get tracking done as had tyres in April. Yes! The car is perfect! Yes!

12 miles later on way to work...... Changed in to 5th gear but no power,actually losing speed. Lights are dim, wipers slowing down and temp gauge in the red! Scream! What the hell? I had to stop another 4 times because of this, but every time I had sat for a while the car was back to normal briefly allowing me to get to work. ***** hell!

No codes. Have noticed that the a/c keeps kicking in even though it has not been used in like - well I've never used ac and I've had the car since 2015.....ummm. Seems to make the car struggle.... I have now disconnected the unit. Decided to test alternator and it is definitely over charging - reading were up 17.75 volts. The battery wasn't hot but I spose I didn't have her running long enough. When switched off, the battery was reading flat, even though I have never noticed anything to indicate that the battery is in anything other than fine form. 

I have ordered new alternator and I spose I should get a new battery, but my question is..... has the ecu been cooked? Is this overcharging possibly the root cause of all my problems? Will the bodge stated be enough? I've spent all of my wages on this car but she still isn't working!

serves me right for saying 3 days before the whole fiasco that this car is the most reliable I've ever had!

Put another battery on it, the largest that will fit... try charging the battery you have fitted at the moment to keep it good. 

 

You are also correct regarding the alternator failing (overcharging) but you can get reconditioned units