Mk 6 Zetec Coolant Loss Issues

[sean.round]

Hi,

I have recently bought a Fiesta Mk 6 Zetec with the 1.4 Duratec Engine. I'd had the car about a week an noticed that the coolant had dropped well below the minimum mark. The AA came out to it and a weekend in a garage later, the car has had a new expansion tank. I've now had the car back a week, done about 350 miles and the coolant level has dropped from above the seam on the bottle, to about 5 mm above minimum. It appears to still be loosing coolant somewhere. I can't see anything and am probably going to get it back into the garage. Before I do, I have a couple of questions:

- What is a typical coolant level from peoples experience?

- Where could it be leaking from?

- I also have a very hesitant idle. Could that be associated?

The car is on it's second engine, and I reckon, the second one has done about 20,000 miles from having spoken to the garage that replaced it.

I could well be panicing here but something just doesnt seem right to have lost that much coolant so quickly...

If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it..

Sean

[btmaldon]

Have a look at the thermostat housing. As these are plastic these days they tend to warp. It will be obvious if the seal is leaking.

When the expansion tank was changed, did they fit a new cap. This may be losing a little pressure.

[sean.round]

Have a look at the thermostat housing. As these are plastic these days they tend to warp. It will be obvious if the seal is leaking.

When the expansion tank was changed, did they fit a new cap. This may be losing a little pressure.

Thanks for the quick response!

Thermostat housing is okay according to the garage who have seen it, it was the first thing they looked at..

I put a new cap on it (purchased from ford) on Saturday morning and it has lost fluid since then...

Sean

[Mordey]

Had same problem with a Mazda. Losing water but no leaks to be seen. Turned out to be the head gasket

[sean.round]

Had same problem with a Mazda. Losing water but no leaks to be seen. Turned out to be the head gasket

That is my worry.... Thing is, it has been pressured tested by 2 AA Patrols and the Garage it went to for the bottle and they all say it looses nothing. I don't see how I can be loosing that much coolant and there be no evidence of head gasket leak.... Hence why it got ruled out?

How common is HGF on these?