Damn water loss AGAIN! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

bindi · 10-28-2004, 22:22

I am really spitting chips now... what the hell is wrong with Fords?

After the EA got a 2nd hand engine, radiator reco'd, etc etc etc over a month ago, the friggin radiator light came on.

I have had this problem since I got it Xmas 2002. Water would just disappear. I found a leak from where hoses connected to the gas converter. Fixed it. Found a leak in the overflow bottle - replaced the bottle. Fixed everything else I came across, and the poor car didn't know how to cope without leaks and blew the head.

Now it is doing this again, cos I've only had it back on the road a few weeks and when I checked it this morning after the light came on yesterday arvo, low and behold the overflow was empty. Filled it with plain water. Now I have to go buy some coolant because I had none and the 50/50 ratio is out of whack.

How often should I check it??? Does the little Fordikins need water every DAY???!!!

Goddammit, I am fed up. Since getting it back I have to now replace the instrument cluster cos it's screwed. Now this.

Where should I check??? Does anyone else have this problem? And even though the water disappears, why doesn't the temp gauge rise (I do when I'm outta water!).

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

4.9 EF Futura · 10-28-2004, 22:34

It's gotta be going somewhere. Pressurised cooling systems are a law unto their own.

Could be something simple like the cap on the overflow bottle. If not sealing properly, system will not pressurise properly and will have boiling point too low, which causes all to boil and overflow.

bindi · 10-28-2004, 22:36

But wouldn't I notice it when I stop? I lift the bonnet - nothing that I can see.

'cept I did notice the SLIGHTEST leak near the convertor again, but nothing like what is going missing. I am paranoid though, if I fix it will I blow the head again???!!!

THEONE · 10-28-2004, 23:15

check ya water pump

rawlinna · 10-29-2004, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

But wouldn't I notice it when I stop? I lift the bonnet - nothing that I can see.
'cept I did notice the SLIGHTEST leak near the convertor again, but nothing like what is going missing. I am paranoid though, if I fix it will I blow the head again???!!!

Coolant leaks can be frustrating.. and you won't necessarily see a leak when you stop and open the bonnet.
But don't get paranoid about fixing a leak.. Get paranoid if you dont (which is probably what you meant)

I pressure tested an EA a couple of weeks ago that was loosing coolant with no signs showing after being checked when driven and still hot.
The owner was worried about it being a head gasket.
A few minutes with a pressure tester on the system and a leak showed at the back of the water pump.
We changed the water pump and it's been ok since.

Some leaks can stop when the car stops, although a slight leak, as you mentioned at the converter, could be larger when the car is on the road.

Find a garage or radiator shop who can pressure test it while you wait and watch.
Watch under the car for anything tell-tale and trace it back to the source if it's a really tricky one.
Check inside in case it's a heater core.

Sometimes, with spark plugs out after half an hour can show if it's an internal leak into a combustion chamber, but it'll often show in the colour of the plugs as well.

needturbo6 · 10-29-2004, 03:45

the heater switch (i think thats what its called) is a common problem as it is made out of metal and plastic, the metal bit corrodes and leaks where the plastic connects.

u will find this in between the passenger tyre and back of the engine.
if its still the half metal/plastic one u may as well replace it, only $20/30 from ford i think, and it should be a one-peice plastic design

i doubt it would completly fix ur problem but maybe part of it.

Yagz · 10-29-2004, 05:25

Drive it to a mechanic shop, pull in there. Pop the bonet, ask him for a pressure test. That will show u where the water is coming from.

If you can't see any leaks, chances are it's another headgasket and it's going into the cylinder head. If the car splutters and stalls when u start it after the pressure test, thats whats happening.

Again, i think it's a simple leak from somewhere.

Good luck, cooling systems are a real prick, but once you get them sorted, they are usually reliable.

useless · 10-30-2004, 03:07

Absolutely as above...go to a radiator place and get it tested.They wont lie to you if you have ahead gasket leak because they want to sell you a radiator