I've got a 52 plate fiesta and last week the engine temp warning light came on on my way to work, i topped up the radiator as it was a bit low and all seemed fine. However, the light came on again this morning and the level is low again so i'm assuming i've got a leak. Can anyone give any tips on where to look first and what's the best way to find out where it's leaking?
Leaking Radiator
- Thread starter AndrewSchofield
- Start date
Sponsored Links
Hi Andrew, look for crusty deposits on the radiator core top and bottom, and also where the radiator pipes leave the rad and go into the engine block....any leak should be fairly obvious if its coming from there. If there isn't any obvious sign the leak could be coming from the water pump under the timing belt cover - not so easy to see! If the car has a curious pong inside, the heater matrix could be leaking. Cheers John
Leaks from the cooling system usually show a deposit remaining after the water has evaporated; alternatively, you may be able to see where the leak is occurring if you do a visual check with the engine warmed up and running.
Check the oil filler cap, too. An emulsion of oil and water means that coolant is finding its way into the engine oil. A compression test would confirm if you have a leaking gasket.
I've a number of times found that Holts Radweld is very effective for dealing with minor leaks; in several cases, repairing leaks on other people's cars. Curiously, they've always seemed to assume that it's obtainable free.
Check the oil filler cap, too. An emulsion of oil and water means that coolant is finding its way into the engine oil. A compression test would confirm if you have a leaking gasket.
I've a number of times found that Holts Radweld is very effective for dealing with minor leaks; in several cases, repairing leaks on other people's cars. Curiously, they've always seemed to assume that it's obtainable free.
Sponsored Links
Thanks guys - i haven't noticed any smells inside the car so i'm happy to rule out the heater matrix problems. I'll have a good look at the radiator and the pipes to and from the engine and hope its just a loose pipe or something. I didn't 'inspect' the oil filler cap but from memory, it appeared to be clean - unless - did you mean on the inside of the filler cap??
Head gasket sounds alarming - and expensive - would i notice any other ill effects other than just losing coolant if the gasket has gone? Does a replacement head gasket mean i'll need to get a second mortgage?
Anyone want to buy a Fiesta??? I'm sick of it!!
Head gasket sounds alarming - and expensive - would i notice any other ill effects other than just losing coolant if the gasket has gone? Does a replacement head gasket mean i'll need to get a second mortgage?
Anyone want to buy a Fiesta??? I'm sick of it!!
Don't despair, failed head gasket is worst case scenario, get thc car upto running temperature, and park it over a big piece of cardboard, leaving the engine running.
Simple question, are you topping up too much? any excess above normal level will be blown out.
Wotan
Simple question, are you topping up too much? any excess above normal level will be blown out.
Wotan
Wotan - def not overfilling, i filled it up to about half way between min and max marks on the header tank - within 6 days the engine temp warning light is on again and the header tank is almost empty!!! Definately losing coolant quite quickly somewhere! If it stops raining i'm going to have a look at lunchtime and see if i can see any obvious leaks under the bonnet before i move it and get everything wet through with rain!!
Andrew
See my post Fiesta no heat.
I have 52 plate Fiesta.
Loosing coolant couldn't see anything - left car on sheet of cardboard etc.
Turned out to be a crack in the expansion tank only leaked when under pressure and evaporated so no drips.
g.
See my post Fiesta no heat.
I have 52 plate Fiesta.
Loosing coolant couldn't see anything - left car on sheet of cardboard etc.
Turned out to be a crack in the expansion tank only leaked when under pressure and evaporated so no drips.
g.
Cheers G - will check out your post in a moment - how did you find the crack in the tank then - or is that in your thread? so how's your experience of owning a 52 plate Fiesta been? I've had mine from new and its been pretty much a case of one thing after another going wrong - seriously put me off ever buying a Ford again.
Back to topic - i've looked under the bonnet at lunchtime and all pipes are bone dry. Took 3 pints to top back up to the minimum level so it's lost 3pints in about a week (10x 12mile trips, to and from work). The bottom of the radiator, just below where the bottom pipe comes from the radiator was very wet (the roads were dry when i drove to work and been parked up since) - could this be where the drain plug is? Could it be a washer or something relating to the drain plug causing the prob? Can't see anything until i get it up on ramps or jack it up so going by what i can feel at the moment!!!
Also - checked the oil filler cap (inside and out), just looks like oil on it to me!?! Assume this is a good sign in relation to the head gasket!?!
Back to topic - i've looked under the bonnet at lunchtime and all pipes are bone dry. Took 3 pints to top back up to the minimum level so it's lost 3pints in about a week (10x 12mile trips, to and from work). The bottom of the radiator, just below where the bottom pipe comes from the radiator was very wet (the roads were dry when i drove to work and been parked up since) - could this be where the drain plug is? Could it be a washer or something relating to the drain plug causing the prob? Can't see anything until i get it up on ramps or jack it up so going by what i can feel at the moment!!!
Also - checked the oil filler cap (inside and out), just looks like oil on it to me!?! Assume this is a good sign in relation to the head gasket!?!
Andrew
I had to take it to a garage for pressure testing and they struggled to find it like a numpty I took it to a Ford franchise.
They found the leak (£85) same night I picked it up the car boiled over.
Took it back they said rad was now leaking (did they put too much pressure in?) anyway advised me not to drive the car away - new rad (£240). So I am not a happy bunny!
Apart from that I have had the car for 4 years. Got it just in time for its 1st MOT - has passed 3 since and only expense a light bulb!
So it has been pretty good but has only done 52K
But after latest repair rad fan keeps kicking in and running even when idling.
It's going back on Wednesday they're going to stick the laptop on it and get some diags.
But they have assured me that it can't possibly be anything they have done or to do with the recent repair.
Funny it wasn't happening b4.
I think more expense is coming.
G.
I had to take it to a garage for pressure testing and they struggled to find it like a numpty I took it to a Ford franchise.
They found the leak (£85) same night I picked it up the car boiled over.
Took it back they said rad was now leaking (did they put too much pressure in?) anyway advised me not to drive the car away - new rad (£240). So I am not a happy bunny!
Apart from that I have had the car for 4 years. Got it just in time for its 1st MOT - has passed 3 since and only expense a light bulb!
So it has been pretty good but has only done 52K
But after latest repair rad fan keeps kicking in and running even when idling.
It's going back on Wednesday they're going to stick the laptop on it and get some diags.
But they have assured me that it can't possibly be anything they have done or to do with the recent repair.
Funny it wasn't happening b4.
I think more expense is coming.
G.
This happened to me with mine - only it was the day after not the same night and it was after i'd picked it up when it was BRAND NEW!!! Had it less than 24hrs and Ford had to take it in and replace the radiator!! Luckily it was under the warranty otherwise i'd have been non too chuffed!! Allsorts gone wrong since than and it appears that trend isn't about to change. Mine's done under 60k miles too!
Yes indeed: take the filler cap off and look at the underside.
Yeah had a look - no water spots or anything other than what looks to me like oil!?!?
Andrew, if the bottom tank of the radiator is wet then I think you've found the problem...if the tank is plastic, they often fail where the tank is crimped onto the radiator core, or where the jubilee clip has been overtightened. I don't think you'll find a drain plug here. Ring around for quotes - buy ye not from Ford. Motor factors will do you a good deal, or you can get yours reconditioned by a specialist. Cheers John
Cheers John - Gonna get it up on ramps tonight and see if i can see exactly where the leak is coming from. Got a local Motor Factors that usually do reasonable prices on everything, and wouldn't go to Ford - they've had enough of my hard earned money for one lifetime!! Is it easy enough to DIY change a radiator then?
Sponsored Links
