Oblivion

Hello.

On my way to work yesterday evening: My vehicle's temperature gauge was at 0F (never moved) for the majority of the drive; I thought it was rather peculiar, but possibly had something to do with the fact that I had just put petroleum jelly on the battery terminals (which shouldn't affect anything).

Then, ~10 miles in: The engine started to misbehave, and misfire (and now I think I know why). I pulled over, looked at it, and saw nothing wrong. I unscrewed the antifreeze reservoir, and immediately noticed it had no pressure built up. Then, after I started the vehicle up: The temperature gauge suddenly (slowly) climbed to 50% (where it normally sits at after you drive for a bit). It stayed there for a bit. Then, as I drove off, and used the gas: It would slowly drop back down to 0F.

This morning (a few hours ago), after I pulled into the drive way: I checked the radiator cap again. It had a very little amount of pressure. The temperature gauge read 'normal' too. It did the same trick.

I decided to pull the spark plug cover off, because I heard a slight 'hissing' noise (I thought it was the serpentine belt honestly). The spark plug well was filled up half way with something BOILING, and STEAMING (antifreeze.. The water portion).

I left the covers off, and walked away. I came back but not 10 minutes later: All traces of the liquid were gone. It doesn't smell like antifreeze. But I know what I saw.

Could it possibly be the head gasket (cracked/blown/damaged)?
Could it possibly be the 'core plugs/freeze plugs/valve covers/whatever nickname they have' be to blame? (Help. 2000 Zetec spitting out coolant from plug holes on valve cover! - Focus Fanatics)
Could it possibly be something else, somewhere else, that I've yet to discover? It's definitely an INTERNAL leak. I have visually inspected everything.

Symptoms laid out:
- No pressure building up (radiator cap was good last I knew!)
- "White" smoke (but no odor) from the exhaust (possibly condensation from the cold morning?)
- Engine misfires on occasion (possibly occurring when the liquid enters the spark plug well)
- Low power/Acceleration (again: misfires?), until ~3k RPMs (DPFE sensor? EGR valve?)

Any ideas on how to check for sure what the problem is, and any potential solutions?
I am fixing to try a $10 solution that should theoretically work (assuming it's the head-gasket/tiny hole/valve cover screw): "Mendtite by Zecol" (a 'stop leak' type deal).

Thanks in advance (as always). :)

R.S.LOGAN

A common and known fault on some models and cause of water in plug wells was the washer jets which were modified and revised washer jets fitted, along with rubber seal between bonnet and jets .If you are losing coolant a pressure test on cooling system will show any external leaks and a block test will confirm or not head gasket .

R.S.LOGAN

This shows you the water in plug wells and explains ,

Water In Plug Ports Issue, With Pictures - Ford Focus Club - Ford Owners Club - Ford Forums

R.S.LOGAN

Take it you have checked / topped up coolant to correct level ? If so keep an eye on level and see if it drops .

Oblivion

I did not know that.


I apologize. I normally don't have time to check this forum...

Yes. I added a bit of tap water to the antifreeze to top it off to where it SHOULD be at.
It has yet to put water and/or antifreeze inside of the engine. I do not know what caused it that one night.
From what I can tell: It still has a pressure issue. The gauge for the temperature also fluctuates still. I am beginning to wonder if the sensor itself is damaged.
Which would ironically just be a coincidence. There was white smoke (very thin) coming out the exhaust..
But that could be due to fuel injector cleaner in the fuel, and/or the cool morning.

Possibly the cap finally has worn out? I tried to pressure test it (free from AutoZone for a $100 deposit).. but my cap doesn't work with their tools.
If it was the cap: That'd explain the pressure. But not the white smoke or antifreeze/water being in the spark plug well (that ONE and ONLY one night).

Thanks for the answers though.

R.S.LOGAN

You get a lot of white smoke on start up , especially on cold mornings till engine gets really warmed up which is normal .For all the cost of a cap , if any doubt , replace it .

Oblivion

Nobody carries them (or Motorcraft OEM) in stock. If you do: It's $10 (which is fine).
Ordering it online from sites: Nope... $15-$20. And I tried RockAuto. I'm not going to bother with calling 'tech support.'
If it actually causes a problem: Then I'll go through with it. Other than that: Creating a hassle to stop a potential non-problem causing idea is a hassle.

R.S.LOGAN

Focus ZX3 Radiator Cap - Motorcraft, Stant at Auto Parts Network

Oblivion

(SHIPPING ALONE): $9.16 Ground (Receive within 3 to 7 Business Days)

... That'd be $20. Again: Not worth my money. There isn't any immediate issues being caused.

IF it starts to over heat: I'd like to think I'd notice it, or feel it, or hear it.
I've never had a heating issue before though. And I don't generally drive it far enough to hit operating temperatures regardless.
The exception to that is: Once a week, I drive 20 miles non-stop. That's it.

Oblivion

Small update:

The white smoke appears to have only been a lot of condensation.
After letting it idle in my garage for 2 hours: No more water/white smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe.
The antifreeze has not been leaking out. It is still at the exact same point (MAX). It hasn't been getting into the spark plug wells.
The petcock, and one small spot on the alternator had (fresh) antifreeze on it (just a speck).
But I assume that somehow flew out of the radiator cap, or came out of a crack (with extreme pressure?).

In short: I do not think it is the master head gasket failing. There are no symptoms, or signs.

It is building up pressure in the reservoir, but it is very little. The temperature gauge is still screwy, but it isn't ever over heating.
I plan on changing out the thermostat here shortly, just as a preventative maintenance deal.
I already cleaned out the EGR valve (worked/works fine), changed the DPFE sensor (replaced the tube), and changed the PCV valve (brand new).

I am pretty confident there are no air pockets in the cooling system anywhere (ran for over an hour without the radiator cap on).
See here: Cooling System Drain, Refill, and Bleeding - Focus Hacks

Thanks again for the help, opinions, and ideas y'all! I will (as R.S.LOGAN) probably be replacing the radiator cap in the near future (JUST IN CASE!).