Hi guys, tried searching around but couldn’t get a lot of info regarding these issues.

theres a few things going on with my Zetec s 2010 and I’m not sure if they are connected.

1. Large amount of white smoke coming from exhaust system (Aftermarket power flow system) seems to increase on acceleration but is almost constant from around 2500rpm at most speeds.

2. during the smoking sessions, the cars “chugs” and doesn’t allow speeds in excess of 45mph, almost feels as though it is going to just stop, then builds up speed as normal at random intervals.

3. Since happening today, my ESP amber warning light is on constant. It won’t allow me to turn it back on, if I do it just switches off immediately.

4. What seems like water leaking from under the bonnet, this has only started within the last 10 minutes but I did have the air-con on.

 

so is it completely done? Have a feeling the smoke is due to leaking coolant (head gasket broken?) but would this explain the rest of the issues? I took it too a local garage a few weeks ago and he said he couldn’t see any issues, the problem stopped for about 2 weeks, now I’ve gone on the motorway it’s started again! 

 

Sorry its long long but any help is really appreciated 

is this petrol or diesel?

yes it sounds like it could be head gasket leak,  is coolant level ok? ,   does oil on dipstick and in filler hole look ok or is it milky?   If petrol car I would suggest the spark plugs need removing and compression test doing on each cylinder.  if diesel then a compression test is not so easy. 

It’s a 1.8 petrol, should of specified that sorry!

coolant level is lower than it was prior to this happening, oil looks okay, normal brownish colour. It’s not been overheating on temp gauge but has been very hot to touch bonnet.

 

thanks I’ll have to see if I can get a compression test done