Engine Coolant Problem?

[swindon-dave]

Hello. I'll start by saying i'm not overly technical, and so this may look a bit ditzy to read :)

I have a Ford KA ('99), bought second hand from a second hand dealership in december. The other week i noticed the engine coolant was running low, in the tank/bottle thing on the right side under the bonnet. So i filled it up, and obviously didn't do up the filler cap properly, as it is no longer there. Neither is any of the anti-freeze which i poured in on sunday, which by the looks of things appears to have splashed out onto all other things under the bonnet. I poured in another half bottle, with the engine off, and that dissapeared from the tank and down into wherever it goes. There's some on the floor, though i assume this just comes from the residue left after it all escaped due to the lack of the cap. I guess my question is:

- Is the apparent lack of coolant even after i've topped up something to be worried about?

- And if not where can i get a replacement cap from / what can i use as a replacement?

Apologies if none of that was overly clear :)

Thanks

[artscot79]

Hello. I'll start by saying i'm not overly technical, and so this may look a bit ditzy to read

I have a Ford KA ('99), bought second hand from a second hand dealership in december. The other week i noticed the engine coolant was running low, in the tank/bottle thing on the right side under the bonnet. So i filled it up, and obviously didn't do up the filler cap properly, as it is no longer there. Neither is any of the anti-freeze which i poured in on sunday, which by the looks of things appears to have splashed out onto all other things under the bonnet. I poured in another half bottle, with the engine off, and that dissapeared from the tank and down into wherever it goes. There's some on the floor, though i assume this just comes from the residue left after it all escaped due to the lack of the cap. I guess my question is:

- Is the apparent lack of coolant even after i've topped up something to be worried about?

- And if not where can i get a replacement cap from / what can i use as a replacement?

Apologies if none of that was overly clear

Thanks

welll theres a lot there first the coolant unless im wrong with the ka should sit between the min/max marks not all the way up to the max mark as the coolant expands and will reach the max level on its own so it depends how low was low next what colour was the coolant and what did you top up with was it orange/green did you top it up with coolant or water and if so was it the specified coolant you cant mix two coolants together they usually turn into a gel and cause major problems so hopefully it was just water you put in ? the problem you have is that there was no pressure in the tank as the cap was missing the pressure is needed to raise the boiling point of the coolant and maintain flow through the system you could have done serious damage to the system also its now full of air as well ide recommend you go to ford do not drive the car and get coolant and a new pressure cap the system will need to be filled and bled for air if you arent confident then have some one do it for you but dont drive the car hopefully no damage has occured to the head or you have bigger issues.