Update:
Ok, I fitted a new coolant thermostat at the weekend.
Since the weather turned colder, the engine seems to run at an even lower temperature!
The temperature gauge only just goes past the number '60' on the gauge, even after several miles, although the heater is blowing out warm air.
The temperature gauge does work, although it seems to take a very long time (at least 12 miles) of driving before it reaches anywhere near what I would call 'normal operating temperature' even then, it only reaches the '11 o clock position', and generally stays there.
Is this normal behaviour for a TDCi engine? The engine has only done 63k.
Would blanking off part of the radiator help the car at all, or would that cause harm to the engine?
I thought I'd pass on my experience with a my 'cool running' Mondeo. Last winter I had the same problem with the car not warming up properly and changed the main thermostat for a non genuine item. (the Ford one is around £50!!!) This made no difference whatsoever. The weather warmed up soon after and as I wasn't cold any more I gave up. Then came the current cold spell and the problem remained so I bit the bullet and bought a genuine one, no change and fifty quid worse off.
Looking on various forums I discovered the second oil cooler thermostat and bought one from Mr Ford. (just under £20) After fitting it this afternoon my temperature gauge runs smack in the middle and the heater is toasty, yipeeee!!!
The hose that exits from the oil cooler enters the radiator on the right hand side about 1/3 of the way up and should remain cold until the engine is warm, mine was warm all the time so was taking heat from the engine to the radiator even though the main thermostat was closed. When I removed the old oil cooler stat and blew down it it was open even though it was cold. I would guess that to eliminate the second stat as a cause of over cooling the hose from the oil cooler to the rad could be temporarily clamped with a brake pipe clamp or similar to simulate the stat being fully closed,
I hope this helps someone else to stay warm this winter, good luck!
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