176F is way too cold. Your thermostat is stuck open.

 

That is correct.^^^^^^^

 

More than likely stuck open thermostat, I had that when I first bought my 2003 2.3l. I took it off when doing the cooling system and it was definitely stuck 1/2 way open which caused it to run really cool.

Now that I replaced pretty much everything in the cooling system, depending on the weather, the car has a heat range of about 195*F to 220*F under normal conditions.

At a sitting idle, the temp will rise up to about ~220*F (104*C) where the radiator fan will kick on, and cool it down to about ~195*F (90*C) where the fan will shut off, and the cycle continues.

If you're sitting at 175* which is about where I was with a broken thermostat, even lower coasting down long highway hills (sometimes I would see in the 160's) it's almost guaranteed your thermostat is stuck open.

 

...At a sitting idle, the temp will rise up to about ~220*F (104*C) where the radiator fan will kick on, and cool it down to about ~195*F (90*C) where the fan will shut off, and the cycle continues...

Mine does the same, fans kick-on low speed at 104C and cools down fast after the fans kick-in. 2004 2.3 PZEV.

However, if you do not have a scan tool and instead measure/monitor temp using the odometer Test Mode, temps are skewed higher, fans turn-on at about 112C. Not sure how many other car models/years have this temp difference show-up in odometer test mode.

BTW similar discussion today at->
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/...eneral-technical-chat/649529-cht-vs-ect-normal-values-2004-focus-2-3l-pzev.html

 

Some one could of installed a 180 thermostat ? Some could of put a tune in your car and changed the fan setting , Did you buy this car new ?

Tom

 

If car has been doing fine in past yet now doing that then the stat is the issue, nothing puzzling at all about it doing it erratically, the nature of them. They can come and go or stick 100% one way or the other, no rules there and up to the part.

 

The thermostat seems to have done it - the temp hangs around 210 and no more CELs.

Thanks to all who replied.

 

Glad your issue is fixed and thanks for the feedback to the forum.