xr6 coolant light??? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

EddyBigShoes · 04-14-2003, 17:47

Two days ago the coolant light came on, the one that tells you the coolant level is low. I checked the coolant level and it's perfect, the temp is prefect even after a really long hard drive.

Anyone had this problem, could it be the sensor is stuffed? or is there a chance there's a blockage somewhere in the engine?

svo347 · 04-14-2003, 18:56

you probably have a bit of crud between the sensor pick up, if you havent done it for awhile you might as weel do that long earnt coolant change & fix the sender whilst your at it

Just Doug · 04-14-2003, 19:11

I had the same problem in my EL. I cleaned the sensor pick up, but it still happened. What I then found was the float was full of coolant, which had leaked in through a pin hole. If you get the coolant out of the float and seal it up with silicone or glue, should fix the problem. The float is made from a cheap plastic, and won't last forever.

Martin · 04-14-2003, 19:40

Make sure its actually the coolant light and not the Window washer light first, they look similar....

EddyBigShoes · 04-14-2003, 21:48

Where about's is the sensor pick up? is it on the overflow bottle?

Martin, nup definantly the coolant light

Kieron · 04-14-2003, 21:58

Its on the side of the overflow tank, from memory 2 wires lead into it.
Use a screwdriver to unscrew the white ring. Once removed, pull the sensor out Coolant will piss everywhere) and inspect it for dirt, you will easily see the metal contacts.

They ain't cheap neither, I think rrp is around 40 or 50 squid

Oh yep, make sure coolant is cold.

04-15-2003, 04:34

I'm using water in my XR6 atm, and it looks a bit cruddy.. Is coolant any better? My dad's a mechanic, and he's always used water..

If i were to change to coolant, would i need to flush the system completely, then add the collant?

Rollin · 04-15-2003, 06:03

Quote:

I'm using water in my XR6 atm, and it looks a bit cruddy.. Is coolant any better? My dad's a mechanic, and he's always used water..

WHATTHEFUGGENHELLAREYOUDOING!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!

really, are you BEGGING for your head gasket to sh*t itself???????

its a well known fact with the I6 that due to the IRON block and the ALLOY head if you dont use proper coolant you get electolysis happening which eats away the alloy and stuffs the head!!!

get the water out of the car asap and get some coolant in there! the stuff i use is called RCI 100, can be used from straight mix down to 33%, i use it straight. it says its good for 250,000km but i change it every year (along with gearbox oil/diff oil/brake fluid)

i havent been using it long enough to make a judgement on how good it is at stopping corrosion but it seems to be ok - its definately 1000000% better than tap water!!!

drain all the water out by taking of the bottom and top radiator hoses (turn the heater to 'hot' so the heater core empties as well) and totally remove the coolant reservior from the car, remove the sensor as others have said (you will prolly need a new rubber seal, mine tore when i pulled it out) clean it with a rag and use a hose on full blast to clean out the crap from inside the coolant reservior.

again put water hose into the top radiator hose to flush the radiator and then in the bottom rad hose to flush the engine.

drain as much tap water out as you can, refit everything and fill with appropriate amount/mix of coolant - when you buy it make sure you get a brand that says 'for alloy head engines'.

chilliXR · 04-15-2003, 06:31

Had the same problem, low coolant light came on now and again on a trip from Brisbane to Sydney. The first few times I s**t my self and pulled over, only to find the level was fine.
I considered just taking the globe out of the dash after Ford quoted $50+ for a replacement!
They could at least make the sensor tough enough to last more than 80 000k's!
Just wait until you try to replace a light in the heater/vent controls - after a couple of hours removing everything, I discover a couple of the globes are soldered into a circuit board! Mad rush to the shops on a Sunday arvo to get some!

TopGhia · 04-15-2003, 13:11

Quote:

I'm using water in my XR6 atm, and it looks a bit cruddy

If it is a darkish colour, that's aluminium being washed off the head. Cast iron engines will give a reddish colour (iron), aluminium gives it a darker greyish colour.

This crud will gravitate to the coolest part of the engine - the radiator - and will eventually block it.