Where Has The Water Gone?

[Ian Anderson]

A friend at work is having a problem with his Ford Focus and it is losing coolant. He is an engineer and seems to have gone through things fairly methodically but is still losing water. Has anyone had something similar on a Focus and if so wher should he look?

thanks
Ian

Roger's diary of events
Any ideas?

At the moment I'm flummoxed.



FORD FOCUS COOLANT LOSS



First sign of trouble was steam coming from under hood in traffic.

Temperature gauge ok.

Arrived at destination and steam still apparent.

Opened hood 5 minutes later, after steam had stopped.



Filled up with water, (about 3 litres)

No obvious leaks.

No water in oil or oil in water.



Next 2 days,

Four journeys 15 miles.

After each one, water level was low, filled with 1 or 2 litres.



Next day, 30 miles, temperature gauge ok.

Opened hood, no steam, header tank empty.

No evidence of leaks.

Filled header when cooled (about 2 litres).



Return 30 miles, from cold. Temperature gauge ok

Opened hood, no steam, header tank empty.

No evidence of leaks.

Restarted engine, released cap, Some steam but not much.

filled with water and replaced cap.

Ran for 10 minutes idling.

temperature gauge ok

Coolant level stayed the same

No steam visible, no leaks apparent under the hood or inside the cab.

One hour later, water level slightly lower. No water in oil or oil in water.



Latest 30 mile journey, temperature gauge ok.

Opened hood, no steam, header tank empty.

No evidence of leaks.

Haven't filled with water yet.



Other observations

I noticed, one day, a "squeal" from under the hood. Sounded like a belt slipping.

When I looked later everything seemed ok and belt tension seemed ok.

Hasn't done it since.



Also, a couple of times at night I noticed the headlights dim momentarily and then restore.

Also felt a momentary hesitation.

On my most recent journey I felt a momentary hesitation.



Makes me think of water pump.

 

[Lynn Larsen]

1. Test or replace temperature sensor

2a. IF Sensor is OK THEN Pressure (probably head gasket) is forcing water out of cooling system; probably through the header tank.

2b. IF Sensor is not OK THEN:
..........A. With cool engine, remove thermostat, disconnect return hose to rad.
..........B. Fill system and start
..................B1. IF water flows, pump is OK, look for other reason for overheat
..................B2. IF water does not flow, replace pump

Regards,
Lynn

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Current Focus or Mk1?

Different engines. Current uses the I4 Duratec, whilst the MK1 generally had the old Zetec in it.

Brett

 

[Ian Anderson]

Brett

Not too sure it is on a 53 plate if that gives a clue

thanks
Ian

 

[Jac Mac]

Cooling system has small{tiny} leak or pinhole in an area like, by-pass hose, heater hose prior to tap,water pump or radiator hose. Could also be in some of the' hard' lines that service these components. Reason that steam did not show for a couple of days or trips was coolant had dropped to a very low level and simply topping up the header tank would not have been enough which is why the problem did not resurface until after the 3rd/4th top up.

With all this steam/moisture under the bonnet its not surprising that some electrical problems are starting to show up or belts slip.

How do you find it? On the next FINE day, make sure the RADIATOR is absolutely full & HEADER tank up to the full mark. Drive the car until the car is well warmed up then return home and park in level area and place sheet of flat plastic under engine bay. Visually check for a small jet or stream of coolant anywhere from motor, hoses or any component that has coolant. Could be a Freeze plug, If you find nothing allow car to cool then inspect plastic sheet for water drops etc which may give you a clue as to location of leak and allow you to narrow down search area.

Good Luck
Jac Mac

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Could be as simple as radiator pressure cap not seating correctly, or wrong spring pressure, or small leak from welch plug.

 

[Bill Bayard]

Ian,

Try some cooling system leak detector. It is a fine, powdered dye, which when added to coolant, shows bright fluorescent green (WAY brighter than typical antifreeze color), wherever there's a leak, no matter how small or large. A tiny bit of this stuff goes a long way.



Bill

 

[John]

Ian,

While I don't have a Ford Focus, I had a similar problem with one of my cars years ago. I think the problem is that he's "burning water". While it may sound strange, a small leak in the head gasket could allow water to leak out of the cooling system into the pistons and be burned and discharged out of the exhaust system as steam.

The first thing to check is the oil - you say you tried this but I'm wondereing if you should not rechck it. Oil contaminated by water turns a chocalate brown. The acid test is to run a compression check - you may have to check all the cylinders. The cylinder with the leak should show compresion values that are off the chart because of the expansion of the water when when compressed.

Also check for excess condensation out of the exhaust pipe!

John

:dead:

 

[Ian Anderson]

Guys
Many thanks for your input and I have been asked by Roget to pass on his thanks.

He advised he has found the problem and can now get it fixed

Hi Ian,

I have sussed it!

Last night I did a 7mile journey immediately after getting petrol.

Filled header before the 7 miles.

At destination no leaks and same symptoms as before.

About ½ hour later topped op with the customary 2-3 litres and then 7 miles to supermarket.

Saw a puddle forming!

Lifted hood and saw water dripping from the water pump!



I now have concluded that my journeys include a lot of high speed bits so engine producing lots of heat.

Thermostat opens and pump leaks water when full cooling circuit involved.

Water leaks until below the level of the pump shaft but enough water to cool the head where the sensor is.



The short journeys catch the leak whilst it is still happening.



I feel much happier because I can now see why 2 litres of water have disappeared without trace.

Next step will be to have the pump replaced.



Roger


So any Focus readers may avoid the same thing with water disappearing

Thanks again
Ian

 

[Mark Clapp]

Do check the radiator cap as Pete suggested. My car was also low on filler tank water due to the cap no longer holding the specified pressure and allowed steam to escape.

 

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

Water leaks until below the level of the pump shaft but enough water to cool the head where the sensor is.
Roger

Hopefully that's it, but be cautious of your temp sensor(s), I've seen a Cosworth that was low on water, got very hot, but guage read 'low to norm' as the sensor was not immersed in fluid. The needle would fluctuate with the water flow. If the sensor gets too hot (how hot varies), it can be irreversibly damaged. In the case of the ECU sender, this may give poor running, eg, the ECU might think engine is freezing cold and richen mixture accordingly. I've seen this too and the 2.0Turbo barely made 5miles on a gallon (cruising) whilst spouting flames from its exhaust continually...

Fingers crossed.