[EscorGo]

On really hot day my engine temp seems to climb a little higher than I would like. It will approach the line just before the red area. (The PO killed this car by overheating it). It has a new radiator and water pump. I have replaced the coolant temp sensor but it doesn't seem to kick the fan on enough. When I turn on the A/C and force the fan on the temp drops.

Question: would a Motorcraft sensor be more sensitive to the temp and kick the fan on sooner? A manual switch would be a crutch but my wife doesn't watch the gauges.

 

[dave8338]

It really depends on where the resistance in the switch is at. Only way to tell would be to test it and find out where in the range, it is kicking the fan on.

 

[zzyzzx]

What's the brand and model number of the knockoff that you used?

 

[EscorGo]

What's the brand and model number of the knockoff that you used?

Autozone. I think it is Duralast

 

[Intuit]

Personally don't trust AZ's parts any farther than I can move the store they were sold in. Too many bad experiences, from belts to waterpump. Lot of folks will swear by them though. Ford doesn't actually manufacture the parts and will use contractors. However they should have *much* tighter controls over part quality vs an aftermarket chain who doesn't actually install the part and stake their reputation on the work performed. Store sells a bad part, it's a simple exchange for them and aren't liable for any men or women working under $100/hour labor rates and supplies.

 

[dave8338]

Personally don't trust AZ's parts any farther than I can move the store they were sold in. Too many bad experiences, from belts to waterpump. Lot of folks will swear by them though. Ford doesn't actually manufacture the parts and will use contractors. However they should have *much* tighter controls over part quality vs an aftermarket chain who doesn't actually install the part and stake their reputation on the work performed. Store sells a bad part, it's a simple exchange for them and aren't liable for any men or women working under $100/hour labor rates and supplies.

Agreed... :lol:

 

[zzyzzx]

What's the brand and model number of the knockoff that you used?

Autozone. I think it is Duralast

That's part of the problem right there. If you want to get decent parts at Autozone or Advance Auto, you have to use their special order feature. Otherwise most of the stuff they carry in the store is crap. I've even bee offered sending units in plastic housing there! I turned it down and got a brass bodied one (just like the one that came with the car) at NAPA. I'm not saying that it's your only problem though, but replacing ti with a known good one is a start.

 

[timberwolfsc]

Duracrap

 

[EscorGo]

Thanks guys. A real temp gauge would be a big help but I will replace the sensor with a better brand for starters.

Any thoughts on a pusher electric fan in front of the condenser?

 

[denisond3]

EscorGo: You said the temp gauge climbs a little bit higher than you like. But what temp is that?
Before I fixed a bad ground connect, the gauge on my 92 LX would get to the mark at the very end of the right side of the gauge before the fan would start. After the fix, the gauge now gets just a little past the end of the word normal (and about halfway to the H at the right side), when the fans comes on. That is with a radiator that was new 20,000 miles ago, and a thermostat and water pump each having about 30,000 miles.
I also have a 94 Lx where the gauge normally has the pointer aimed at the N in normal. When in heavy traffic, the needle gets up to where it points between the r and the m in 'normal', the fan will turn on. Those Escort temp gauges vary quite a bit from car to car. The most you can expect is that they will be consistent with themselves.

Putting a pusher fan in front of the condenser may make you feel better - and thats a valid reason to add one. But I think the original cooling system is fully adequate. I would add a mechanical water temp gauge before I would add the extra fan. That is what would give me peace of mind.

 

[EscorGo]

Thanks for the advice, point taken. In my original post I said "It will approach the line just before the red area", but I have no idea how accurate the gauge is. A good mechanical gauge "A real temp gauge would be a big help...." would be the next logical step if a new sensor doesn't make life better. I went thru 3 oil sending units before I found one that came close to the temporary oil gauge setup I made in my TurboCoupe.

 

[trinity]

Bosch?