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coolant loss - possibly header tank cap

3.5K views 23 replies 4 participants last post by  ul9601  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi guys,

So I have been noticing the coolant smell recently when the car's up to temperature - quick read up the common 4 cylinder engine issue thread revealed there are 3 potential leak locations - header tank bottom hairline crack, thermostat housing crack & header tank cap seal.

I see sort of dried out residue around the header tank cap so I'm guessing that's where it's losing it. It's only small area that has the residue, maybe a square inch, so most of the coolant escapes in vapour form?

I had a quick look at the replacement cap on eBay - some are fairly cheap starting at fiver (ex-Latvia). Would they be any good? I'd have to pay megabucks for anything at the dealers here, so trying to avoid that. There are a few at 30-40 pounds for the tank & cap assy, perhaps that might be a prudent option as well. There is one listing which is for over 100 pounds (not mk 3 one), a bit nuts...

cheers
 
#3 ·
yeah we do but why buy second hand for wear and tear items? if it's out in the boneyard, there is a good chance it's stuffed anyway and it's not like i can check before i can buy.

funny thing is they even sell brake pads, oil filters and wheel bearings and stuff - i'm surprised they aren't selling used coolant and engine oil...
 
#4 ·
got me the new cap and made no difference. i still smell the coolant but no obvious leak anywhere.

smells stronger right hand side, closer to the expansion tank - no sign of visible leak or dried up residue.

should i replace the tank also?
 
#8 ·
Thanks for that????. now, re coolant loss, can't really advise as only got experience of diesel layout. On the diesel, the header tank never ever gets warm 'cos the diesel runs cooler than petrol, hopefully another TF-er will come along with some experience.
 
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#10 ·
i had the same problem,it will only leak when its up to full temp and been running a while its the header tank because the tank expands with the heat,and the gaps start to close when it cools down so it wont leak then,mines been ok since putting a new header tank on :driving:
was there a crack on the bottom of the tank? did you see any visible signs that it's leaking from there (like residue)?

i might have to get a thingyscope and take a look see...
 
#14 ·
the cracks are under the tank
Thanks!

Did you get a genuine ford item for replacement or some of those eBay pattern parts?

The price difference is quite a bit!

Cheers
the one in the pic replaced the original tank,that one was from gsf carparts and is only about 8 months old,so had to get another one to replace that,which i got from ecp its a vtech one think it cost abot 24.00 with a voucher code and thats been on about 2 weeks now.
 
#15 ·
I was only thinking of this issue a week or so back. Thought not had anyone with the

cracked header tanks for a long time.
 
#18 ·
If you've got to buy a used, why not try and get one from a diesel, as it won't have been thro' the same rigours that a petrol one will have done..
 
#19 ·
If you've got to buy a used, why not try and get one from a diesel, as it won't have been thro' the same rigours that a petrol one will have done..
Oh no what I meant was, a previous owner at some stage put a second hand one in there. I put in a new eBay job. But yes, it makes sense I guess, if I can find a diesel one - mostly 2.0 Duratec here and occasionally 2.5 V6.
 
#20 ·
The damn thing is leaking - not sure where though. Maybe the cap is not seating right or the damn thing has a built-in crack on the bottom.

I think Ford dealer here wanted to charge me NZD250 for one, I might have to go to a wrecker and have a look see, it's NZD14 there but a matter of finding a good one.
 
#21 ·
The fluid level should not get anywhere near the cap level. Escaping as steam maybe

but not drips/trails of coolant loss.

Easy test, use a rag or some tissue taped around the top of the tank. Short journey and

see if its wet.

The cracks often looked minor but the coolant heats up and the crack expands then it leaks

but when it cools it seals up again so no leaks when cold.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
I didn't need no tissue or whatever - while following the Haynes procedure I saw the steam rising and coolant spewing out the side seam!!!

I put the old one back in, drive around for a while and see if the engine's still ok before going out for a Ford one.

Requested refund on the item but who knows...
 
#24 ·
Told me I torque it wrong and would not refund me - well, that's after I told him I bought it in March, they changed the story from willing to refund saying it would have been a manufacturing fault. Obviously they know Paypal and eBay don't care after 3 months.

Lessons learned - 1) don't risk the motor with dodgy eBay jobs for critical stuff and 2) don't buy stuff from this guy:

insuppa-trading