How I almost blew my head gasket - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

old_mate · 09-12-2003, 04:38

Just thought i'd post this as a warning to all you Eseries guys! We had our first 30+ degree days up here in brisbane this week, and I noticed my EL was running pretty hot (up at the N on normal). Also noticed it was spitting huge amounts of water out the overflow.....I was thinking the worst

Anyhow, i took it to my trusted Radiator guy who took a look at it. Unbolted the Radiator to find the end tank on the drivers side BENT LIKE A BANANA. Surprisingly, there was no other damage. The cause? I was thinking sand and shit, but it all turned out to be bugs and grass. About a 1/3 of my radiator was blocked. But now she's all good, and running a LOT cooler

So my advice is

Everyone go out and get you radiators and cooling systems checked before summer hits! you wont regret it

And the other big news is im getting King Springs (low), Koni adjustable shocks (front) with Monroe GT shocks (rear) as well as a camber kit this week....will post pics ASAP!

EFFalcon · 09-12-2003, 05:05

good stuff sikEA
i'm gunna get mine checked and stuff in late november, my car runs at the L in normal at the most recently. so it should be fine until i get around to it in a few months.
does'nt get so hot here iether :)

MADNC_8 · 09-13-2003, 05:58

i had my whole cooling system replaced about 3 months ago

me not needing to worry for a while

MightyEFGhia · 09-13-2003, 07:28

Yeah, I had the same thing on reasonably warm days, or when driving hard, my temp guage would move up to the M on NORMAL, and i was worried, also because my water was brown and there was sludge in the header tank.

Took it to get flushed out, found out that the radiator was 50% blocked with shit, and the remainder of the cooling system was 30% blocked with shit. Im glad i did it now, otherwise that would of surely been a head or a head gasket..

carazy · 09-14-2003, 00:56

Yeah it's also important to use a good quality coolant
thats my 2c
a flush before summer is always a good thing.

ED GLI V8 · 09-14-2003, 01:31

yeah I noticed my temp gauge sitting a little higher than normal in the heat the other day will have to keep an eye on it

mongrelEB · 09-15-2003, 08:22

The heater hoses tend to go after a few ks and burnouts :)
Did mine doing standstills at the B+S on the weekend, had to run it 2 km up the line with no water but fortunately she's still OK.
Went and bought some 300psi hose today for $17/m, that'll fix it

xtream ea · 09-16-2003, 08:17

thanks for the info but i havn't got any big worries at all tho, even when i thash my EA the gauge never goes up above the blue line, no were near the NORMAL.

plus how much is it costing you for your springs and shocks to get installed?

and why are you putting Monroe GT shocks in the back and other shocks in the front, dose it enhanze handling or what?

old_mate · 09-16-2003, 23:53

Installation! Bwahaha im doing it myself.

Im putting the monroes in the back because thats what came with the springs. if they are too soft, I'll get them rebuilt by TSR to match the Konis.