Escort heater stopped working and engine overheated

DREWLAEL

MEMBER
FORD ESCORT

I have a 97 Ford Escort, 2.0 L manual transmition with about 180,000 miles on it. Last night while driving home from work I noticed the heater was taking an extra long time to warm up. I had to make stop along the way and when I drove the rest of the way home the heater never warmed back up. Then a few miles from home the tempature gauge shot up to the red line. After I decreased speed a little it cooled off a little, and while driving on the side streets it was jumping all over the place.
The only work I have had done recently is the timing belt, which I had replaced last week. Any ideas? Thanks.

2 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,878 POSTS

Please check your coolant level, engine cold ONLY, never check coolant HOT!

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Tuesday, March 20th, 2007 AT 4:35 PM

TAURUSWHEEL

MECHANIC
718 POSTS

The timing belt was installed correctly? If for some reason the timing was retarded, it may overheat, but that would probably happen first time. Most likely the thermostat is no good, try replacing it. Usually a sign of no heat is that. Don't ever drive a car that appears to be heading towards overheat, shut it down, overheat is probably the worst thing that can happen to your engine.