Argh! Please help! I'm at my wits end!

I have posted previously in a thread called Which thermostat? and this is a continuation to the next problematic phase.

As previously stated, my mk1 2001 focus 1.6 zetec se was running fine until I said 'it's the most reliable car I've ever had'...... 3 days later, the temp gauge kept shooting into the red. Trying to find the correct part was harder than it should have been, so I had to drive with no thermostat for a trip or two - the car was perfect, apart from being exceptionally cold. With new thermostat installed I thought we were off, but no! the temp gauge would (quicker than before) go to half way, then jump into the red and has done so at every test drive inbetween the replacement of each part. So far the things that have been done are (all new):

Thermostat, radiator, water pump (timing belt and tensioner), cylinder head temp sensor.

During CHT test drive, a misfire developed! New sparks, HT leads and finally coil pack. Sorted. Having now thought the car was running sweet and as should be, I got new tyres and had the tracking done, as well as mot and insurance.

On the drive to work guess what? Yup, temp shot to the red! 

The journey had been quiet with no signs of trouble. 12 miles in, I was warm as blowers work fine, listening to good music and happy.....until I reached the bypass and accelerated. I had just got to 5th gear,approx 50mph and noticed a loss of power, the wipers slowed and the dashboard lights dimmed. The temp gauge jumped to the red. I promptly pulled into layby and was about to switch off, to notice that everything was back to normal. This happened several times in the remainder of my journey. After work, I started her up and noticed again that the a/c unit keeps switching on even though it's not switched on in the car. This was noticed after the radiator was changed - haven't used a/c since I got the car  5/6 years ago and coz it needs regassing. This made the engine work but the car could sit at idle and make no difference to temp. I disconnected it anyway and checked voltage. Now a new alternator and battery have been fitted due to overcharging alt, and flat battery.

Running on drive for 30 minutes = cold pipes apart from the one under the inlet manifold. The fan was also switching on and off even though the rad pipes were cold. Took for drive and all was well until under load - accelerating up hill. The temp gauge shot to red again. Did up and down hill 7/8 times and every time I got to 45/50mph in either 4th or 5th gear on the hills, I would lose power and the temp gauge would shoot into the red. Ease off to turn round, pull over or go back down hill, power and temp back to normal. All the pipes and header tank were now hot to touch and the fan was engaging. The system was also pressurised.

Now that you're up to date, questions. What the ? is going on? Should water be squirting into header tank at all times when engine is running as I haven't noticed the water moving at all. Why can I drive the car only to have problems going fast or on a hill?

air lock? Dodgy thermo?Dodgy water pump?Dodgy rad?

it's costing an absolute fortune! Help!

 

 

 

Did you replace the coolant reservoir cap? If cap does not seal properly it may cause temp gauge to go to red.

New cap eh? Even though the system is pressurised? Right on, will try that

Can you believe it? I've spent so much time, effort and money on this and haven't gotten anywhere! Really frustrating. 

I went back to the start -car was overheating so thermostat is first port of call. I decided that I shall drill a 2.5mm hole in the rim of thermostat just to make it the same as the one taken out, though I haven't worked out how to make a jiggle pin thing to go in it yet......Anyhow I am very upset to discover that this brand spanking new thermostat, in nice shiny plastic packaging and a cardboard box DOESN'T OPEN!

Have I now spent all my wages,  replaced practically everything under the bonnet, spent countless hours under a tarpaulin and reached untold limits of stress because of some faulty beepin beepin thermostat? Have I now actually damaged the head because of all the test runs and consequently the heat build up in the block? 

Lesson learnt - test test test! I just presumed that it would work!!

On 1/31/2020 at 12:30 AM, Verity Ferret said:

Can you believe it? I've spent so much time, effort and money on this and haven't gotten anywhere! Really frustrating. 

I went back to the start -car was overheating so thermostat is first port of call. I decided that I shall drill a 2.5mm hole in the rim of thermostat just to make it the same as the one taken out, though I haven't worked out how to make a jiggle pin thing to go in it yet......Anyhow I am very upset to discover that this brand spanking new thermostat, in nice shiny plastic packaging and a cardboard box DOESN'T OPEN!

Have I now spent all my wages,  replaced practically everything under the bonnet, spent countless hours under a tarpaulin and reached untold limits of stress because of some faulty beepin beepin thermostat? Have I now actually damaged the head because of all the test runs and consequently the heat build up in the block? 

Lesson learnt - test test test! I just presumed that it would work!!

Wow, you're right about the learning though.  You're far from being the only person to have learnt this lesson the hard way.  Fingers crossed that another new thermostat gets you sorted mate.