Car drinking coolant
Discussion
My car seems to be getting through a fair amount of coolant.
I bought a used car and checked the levels, and when I did it I found that I couldn't see the coolant level in the reservoir (as it was below the bottom of the tank) so I put some coolant in. It took a 1L bottle to fill up to the max line (it was a little warm but not too hot). I then used it as normal and probably drove for around 45 mins that evening. The next morning I checked on it and found that the level was below the min line, so I put another 500ml in to bring it back up to the max (it was cold this time). Checked again this morning- same thing, another 500ml (it was cold again although I did around 2 hours driving yesterday after filling up.
Could this be an issue, or could it just be that as it was low, over the last few days, the coolant has just been filling air bubbles from when it was very low and it will stop using coolant at an alarming rate?
Info:
No puddles found under car when it's been parked for any amount of time
No smoke coming from exhaust (except a little bit of white when cold but I'm under the impression that is normal
The car is a 2007 Ford Focus ST (2.5T)
If you need any more info, let me know.
I bought a used car and checked the levels, and when I did it I found that I couldn't see the coolant level in the reservoir (as it was below the bottom of the tank) so I put some coolant in. It took a 1L bottle to fill up to the max line (it was a little warm but not too hot). I then used it as normal and probably drove for around 45 mins that evening. The next morning I checked on it and found that the level was below the min line, so I put another 500ml in to bring it back up to the max (it was cold this time). Checked again this morning- same thing, another 500ml (it was cold again although I did around 2 hours driving yesterday after filling up.
Could this be an issue, or could it just be that as it was low, over the last few days, the coolant has just been filling air bubbles from when it was very low and it will stop using coolant at an alarming rate?
Info:
No puddles found under car when it's been parked for any amount of time
No smoke coming from exhaust (except a little bit of white when cold but I'm under the impression that is normal
The car is a 2007 Ford Focus ST (2.5T)
If you need any more info, let me know.
Get the system pressure tested. My wifes 1 series was gobbling through coolant, and whilst there was no obvious sign of a leak, the technician narrowed it down to an issue with the EGR cooler unit.
It may not be as terrible as you think. Get it investigated with the proper diagnostic tools.
It may not be as terrible as you think. Get it investigated with the proper diagnostic tools.
Keep topping it up, but realistically there's only two places for it to go - out through a leak, or out through the exhaust.
Leaks don't have to leave puddles, is it tiny and only when the engine is hot/pressurised? Going as steam, so radiator, leak onto somewhere hot etc
Worth also looking for mayo on the oil filler
Leaks don't have to leave puddles, is it tiny and only when the engine is hot/pressurised? Going as steam, so radiator, leak onto somewhere hot etc
Worth also looking for mayo on the oil filler
Had a similar prob on the Volvo
Finally gave in and took it to garage......Head Gasket
my symptoms were NO gunge on oil filler cap
Oil and water no cross contamination
However after a run and i released to header tank cap it foamed up like i had filled it up with fairy liquid!
Plus after leaving it overnight it was under pressure
i was suggested it could be a warped head, or a liner split!!!! Try and eliminate wherever you can, but my money is the gasket
And take it to an indie with a good feedback, save money and get a new best mate at the same time
Finally gave in and took it to garage......Head Gasket
my symptoms were NO gunge on oil filler cap
Oil and water no cross contamination
However after a run and i released to header tank cap it foamed up like i had filled it up with fairy liquid!
Plus after leaving it overnight it was under pressure
i was suggested it could be a warped head, or a liner split!!!! Try and eliminate wherever you can, but my money is the gasket
And take it to an indie with a good feedback, save money and get a new best mate at the same time
There is one thing to remember when "looking for puddles" as was implied but not specified above, hot coolant from a hot engine will have evaporated away to leave no puddle by the morning.
Try putting a sheet of cardboard under the engine likely areas as it will still leave a stain/water-mark on this even after it has evaporated, this is obviously assuming it isn't pooling somewhere on top of a shelf on a hot engine & evaporating off before getting to the floor, but this you should be able to see.
Try putting a sheet of cardboard under the engine likely areas as it will still leave a stain/water-mark on this even after it has evaporated, this is obviously assuming it isn't pooling somewhere on top of a shelf on a hot engine & evaporating off before getting to the floor, but this you should be able to see.
2.5T ST is renowned for head gasket failure. There are some key checks to do before buying to be sure you're not lining yourself up for a big bill. One being; is it running standard boost. If your boost pod shows higher the 3/4 on full throttle in 2nd and 3rd gear then it's over boosted. It's a significant factor in causing it but high mileage / abused engine, it might have happened anyway.
HGF might also cause the block to crack so do not just assume an indie garage knows what they are looking at - requires a block mod to fix, but it's not cheap = 700-1k depending on who you get it done by. Get it checked by a specialist to be sure you are not forking out for a new head gasket (all labour as parts are pennies). Then find out the block was cracked and your still consuming coolant!
AMT-Fordmazda is based in Guildford, where I had my old ST worked on. Great guy does a lot of work on ST / RS products.
HGF might also cause the block to crack so do not just assume an indie garage knows what they are looking at - requires a block mod to fix, but it's not cheap = 700-1k depending on who you get it done by. Get it checked by a specialist to be sure you are not forking out for a new head gasket (all labour as parts are pennies). Then find out the block was cracked and your still consuming coolant!
AMT-Fordmazda is based in Guildford, where I had my old ST worked on. Great guy does a lot of work on ST / RS products.
Edited by ACB85 on Monday 2nd July 09:51
ACB85 said:
2.5T ST is renowned for head gasket failure. There are some key checks to do before buying to be sure you're not lining yourself up for a big bill. One being; is it running standard boost. If your boost pod shows higher the 3/4 on full throttle in 2nd and 3rd gear then it's over boosted.
Ok, I'll check the boost.ACB85 said:
HGF might also cause the block to crack so do not just assume an indie garage knows what they are looking at - requires a block mod to fix, but it's not cheap = 700-1k depending on who you get it done by. Get it checked by a specialist to be sure you are not forking out for a new head gasket (all labour as parts are pennies). Then find out the block was cracked and your still consuming coolant!
AMT-Fordmazda is based in Guildford, where I had my old ST worked on. Great guy does a lot of work on ST / RS products.
Ok, I'll keep an eye on it and it sounds like I may be paying them a visit.AMT-Fordmazda is based in Guildford, where I had my old ST worked on. Great guy does a lot of work on ST / RS products.
Thank you for your advice
You'd be much better off signing up to STOC forum, you'll get much much better advise. The 2.5T ST engine is not renowned for head gasket failures at all, it's renowed for cracked liners however which will present very similar syptoms to a HG fail. Usually it'll be difficult to start, white smoke out the exhaust and use coolant, it'll sometimes misfire as well.
Could be any number of things though, worst being cracked liner (new engine time), best being split hose somewhere. Impossible to tell from your description but you'll get much better help on STOC, or taking it to a specialist. I've used Automodz in Notts for block mod on mine, highly recommended if you're from that area.
Could be any number of things though, worst being cracked liner (new engine time), best being split hose somewhere. Impossible to tell from your description but you'll get much better help on STOC, or taking it to a specialist. I've used Automodz in Notts for block mod on mine, highly recommended if you're from that area.
zedx19 said:
you'll get much better help on STOC, or taking it to a specialist. I've used Automodz in Notts for block mod on mine, highly recommended if you're from that area.
OK, thank you. I'll head over to STOC and see what they have to say, and yes, I live in notts so I'll check out Automodz, that's really helpful thank you!Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff