DaveInPhilly

One of the auto magazines (Motor Trend, maybe?) actually tested the theory. The conclusion was basically a person is smarter than a computer, but a computer is more consistent than a person. So an incredibly diligent driver can get better mileage than cruise control, but the level of concentration it took to better the computer was not realistically sustainable over a long haul.

Thanks fellas. I assumed if it started to open at 180, it would operate at 180 at least some of the time, I didn't realize there was a 30 degree spread from the point it started to open until it was fully open. Just took a short road trip this weekend (500 highway miles) and it sat right at 203 the entire time, and more importantly my gas mileage went back up, so it seems all is well.

So I have a really dumb question, but I searched the forum, and all over the internet, I even have a Hanes manual, but for the life of me, I cannot find what the normal operating temp for the 2.3L engine should be. I replaced the thermostat a couple of weeks ago, and now the car runs between 200-208, and that strikes me as a bit high. I honestly didn't pay to close attention to the temp before I started having problems with the the thermostat, but once that went, I was getting temps between 165-175. I assumed that since the car has a 180 degree thermostat it would run between 180-200, but I am little concerned that in this temperate weather its already flirting with 210 in normal traffic. The gauge stays right in the middle whether the engine is running at 180 or 210. I am getting these temps from a scan tool.

I can't speak to the Fusion (mine is a MT), but I have driven Ford E-Series ambulances for the better part of the last two decades. They will definitely clunk into gear if you shift too soon after you turn the engine over.

Did you do the relearn procedure after you jumped it? My 2006 acted very funky after a dead battery. For me, in addition to the learning procedure in the manual, I had to turn the key to the on position and let it sit for a good 30 seconds before turning the engine over. Then did the relearn and the car ran fine. I talked to a tech at ford and he said these cars start acting really funky when the batteries start to go. Mine started giving me Air Bag warning lights, then turned on the front parking lights (nothing else) before it finally gave out. New battery and all the problems went away.

Just wanted to bump the thread and thank dycot. This saved me a ton of trouble. I also wanted to add, someone somewhere said that he wished he had unbolted the thermostat housing before trying to wrestle the hoses off. I tried this, but ended up having to bolt it back on. Getting the housing off doesn't give you much extra room to work with and couldn't make any progress. I had to bolt it back on so I could use the housing for leverage with a pry bar.

I can now say with confidence that Goodyear part number 4060883 (6pk2440) is not the right belt for my car (2006 Fusion S, 2.3L, MT). Goodyear part number 4060885 (6pk2550) fit perfectly and runs nice and quite.

Wow, this was a giant PITA. My advice to anyone out there is DO NOT LOSE this little bugger. Searched for 3 hours on Saturday had to give up because it got dark. I actually managed to find a junkyard that was open on Easter Sunday. Paid my $2 and walked through what had to be 300 cars, no Fusions or Milans, nothing at all with that 2.3L 4cyl. Went home dejected. Spent another three and half hours tearing the engine compartment apart. Finally, by sheer luck, I ran my hand up along some crossmember, in an opening that couldn't be more than 1" tall, and I found the sucker. I'm pretty sure it was mocking me as I held it in my hand as I did a little happy dance. It's amazing that a little 1/2 cent piece of plastic can keep an entire car out of commission. For someone who might stumble across this because they lost their bleed screw. My Saturday night of internet searching yielded this: there are no aftermarket parts that fit. Ford does not have a part number for the bleed screw, but I am 95% certain that the Ford Part 8L8Z8C362A is the entire hose, with the bleeder screw on top. But, fortunately, I did not have to call Ford to confirm this. And to top it all off, when I grabbed the hose to hose off all the spilled coolant from the driveway, the darn thing sprung a leak on me. This project was cursed from the begining.

I am not a smart man. I was trying to bleed my coolant system after replacing the thermostat and I must have unscrewed the bleed screw to far. I went into the car to rev the engine and came back to find the bleed screw gone. I have no idea what to do now. Doesn't seem like any one carries a replacement. I can't even find the part on Ford's website.

I just wasted some time on the internet. The actual Ford belt is 6PK2248. The Gatorback belt that is listed for my application (2.3L MT) is part number 4060883, which is 6pk2240, 8MM shorter than the OEM belt. There is also a Gatorback listed at 6pk2250, 2mm longer than OEM. I'm going to give that one a shot and see how it does.

Anyone else have problems getting the serpentine belt on? I always have to fight to get the serpentine belt onto this car. The first time I had the belt off, I bought a Gatorback belt to replace the original with, after fighting with it for well over an hour I gave up and put the old belt back on. I measured the new belt against the old and it does appear to be a good half inch shorter, so I just assumed the belt size was mislabeled. Even getting the old belt back on took a significant effort. I had to get the belt off again this weekend, and decided to replace it with an OEM Motorcraft belt, so fit wouldn't be an issue. First I fought with the thing for so long that the hex nut on the tensioner sheared off. Last night I replaced the tensioner and tried to get the belt on again, this time the tensioner slipped on my and tore into one of the ribs. Now I have to purchase my third new belt for the car, and I have only ever actually be able to get the old belt on. Mine is a 2006 2.3l MT, FWIW.

Any idea where I can get a replacement? Mine is a Manual Trans, and it looks like Autozone, Advance Auto, Rock Auto and Amazon only stock the Auto Trans version. Ford Parts lists it at $85, so I hope there is something a bit more reasonable out there. Edit: Wow this was an ordeal. The usual suspects only stock the part specific to the Auto Trans. When I search the Ford Parts website, I got two options, one for MT that was $85, and one for Auto that was $125. When I actually plugged in my VIN, I got a third option that says its for either MT or AT. It was $120. I plugged that part number into Rock Auto and found it for $55. So after a morning poking around the internet and calling parts stores, I think I finally have the part on its way to me.

So I had a bad day. I finally got around to replacing my thermostat. After cursing Ford for buring the thing under the power steering pump...for making it impossible to reach that third bolt on the power steering pump...and for burying the tensioner behind a mile of plastic shrouding, with a million little pushpin clips...I finally get everything back together. Got it loaded up with coolant and go to put the belt back on when the hex nut/ nub thing, snapped off on me. I see that both Advanced Auto and Autozone have the tensioner for about $45. Is it as simple as pulling the old one off and putting the new one on? Looking at it from under the car, it looks like a 5 minute job, pull the two bolts and put the new one on. Does that sound about right? Any tips, tricks or suggestions? Autozone doesn't have a cheat sheet for this particular part.

Looks like the system holds a touch over 9qts. So I guess I'll get a 1 gal jug that needs to be mixed and a 1 gal jug of the premix. Thanks man.

Thanks man. How much coolant am I likely to loose just draining it? I read anywhere from 40-80%? I'm wondering how much coolant I need to have on hand to refill. Think I can get away with a 1 gal premix, or would it be wiser to grab the regular stuff that needs to be mixed with water? It's not likely that I'll need more than 2 gallons is it?