Hi
I just bought a Freestar 2007, 100 000 miles. I had a Freestar 2004 before and owned 5 Windstar before that.
The heater gauge worked the same on every van minus the new one. After a week I must have driven 800 miles. Today, it's cold, 0f. It took a bit more than 30 minutes before the heat gauge reached it's normal position, which is about 11 o'clock. I say normal because it's the position it would reach on every other van. Then on the highway, it went to 12 o'clock, and back to 11 once parked.
The coolant level is at the high mark when cold, at the low mark when hot and goes back to the high mark when cold again.
This might be normal but I am not used to see this. I am used to see the needle reach the same point everytime and stay there.
Does it look like a problem or is it just me?
Thanks

 

Hi Chris,
What I normally do is confirm the actual temps at the engine and radiator with a laser heat tool. Since that is possibly next to impossible here, (you may not have one to use)
in which case I would consider changing the engine thermostat. It sounds like it is sticking sometimes open and sometimes partially closed. A 100,000 is not too little miles for it to be acting up plus it is a good preventive maintenance measure. Let us know how you make out with this, thanks.`

 

I have just been driving my 06 now for about 1500km and it is the first vehicle where the needle in the normal position is just past halfway. All my other cars/vans the needle is just short of halfway. Levels are good but I am unaware of the coolant servicing history (no service records when I bought the thing). Any reason or is it just the old, that's the way it is....

 

Sometimes either we don't know or we forget.
If the engine has a 192-195 degree thermostat the gauge usually reads past the middle mark.
If someone put in a 180 degree thermostat , the gauge will usually read below the half(middle) mark.
The 195 provides better heat in the winter plus keeps the engine at a more efficient operating temp.
If someone stuck a 180 in there , it provides OK heat and operates, well ---OK.
If you decide to check it , the no is usually stamped on the thermostat and it might answer a lot of questions.
Thermostats don't last forever and it is good practice to replace them every 2-3 years as a preventive maintenance measure.
Vehicles with electronic controlled thermostats are much more expensive to replace and will usually provide a code and lite if malfunctioning.

 

thanks, learn something every day.