change the thermostat. sounds like it is stuck open, allowing high flow through the radiator at highway speeds where the air flow rate accross the radiator is enough to keep it cool. In the city the fan thermostat turns the fan off to maintain temperature. Nice easy and inexpensive fix. Should also improve milage slightly.
could it be the thermostat or the fan itself?
Yep!
"COOLANT THERMOSTAT" -COOLANT TEMP BELOW THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE
The thermostat.
the thermostat is in the coolant cap
Remove the thermostat housing screws and separate the housing, exsposing the thermostat and coolant, remove old thermostat and gasket. Reinstall new thermostat, gasket and coolant.
where is the coolant system thermostat on a ford focus 1.4 zetec engine
Yes it can. A faulty thermostat can cause overheating which will cause coolant to be pushed out of the system.
If the pump is not circulating coolant insure that the thermostat is not stuck closed. If the thermostat is ok then the pump will have to be replaced.
Usually this is not the case. It looks like a bad thermostat, because no way the coolant is not getting hot, but a rusted up thermostat would not open for the coolant to circulate. If I were you I will change the thermostat first than check the water pump.
When changing the thermostat on a Nissan 300zx first drain the coolant from the engine. Then find the lower coolant hose on the radiator. Trace the hose to the thermostat housing. Remove the housing to uncover the thermostat and replace the unit with a new thermostat.
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