Just come back from 40 miles and engine is REALLY HOT. We've had times where we can smell burning and I've thought nothing off it as normally we are behind a car and it goes.. even opened the bonnet before now and nothing. Anyway, pulled up and just wanted to check my washer injectors as they are crap. Opened the bonnet and the heat from the engine was unreal. I've also had hot air coming from the AC with it been switched off, sweating all the way back.

Coolant seems to be fine infact, hasn't even gone down since redone it which was about 2 months ago. Is there anything else I can check to see if I have any other problems?

What does your temperature gauge say?

17 minutes ago, Ryan_Tango said:

What does your temperature gauge say?

Doesn't have one. Not unless I'm missing something. It's mk7 fiesta.

Oh yeah you're right no gauge, Did you replace coolant with proper stuff or water?

1 minute ago, Ryan_Tango said:

Oh yeah you're right no gauge, Did you replace coolant with proper stuff or water?

It's got coolant a pink substance. If I'm honest I no doubt made a mistake and got some cheap rubbish as the place wasn't exactly helpful and was more bothered trying to sell me things for a VW.

Is there anywhere I can see to see if there is any blocks? I was thinking about draining the fluid again and mixing 50% - 50% as wondering if the fluid is too thick (sounds silly) I noticed oil has gone down a fair amount also (serviced 2 months ago)

Temperature gauge should be in the central area where the mileage is displayed etc. Mine usually warms up fairly quickly 10 mins and sits at 4 bars constantly when on short or long drives.

2 minutes ago, dave_k said:

Temperature gauge should be in the central area where the mileage is displayed etc. Mine usually warms up fairly quickly 10 mins and sits at 4 bars constantly when on short or long drives.

The 2008 - 2011 and think 2012 don't have tempature guages. :/

6 minutes ago, JayG90 said:

The 2008 - 2011 and think 2012 don't have tempature guages. :/

Ah ok. Better get it checked out by a good independent or ford, could just be something electrical sticking. Don't want to end up cooking the engine.

Possibly the thermostat sticking.

31 minutes ago, Bobr said:

Possibly the thermostat sticking.

cheap repair if it is then? going to take it in for AC regas (taking advantage of the deal the local dealer has)
starting to think because I had the AC on hot, BUT WASN'T on and wondering if that could be a cause.

They don't have a temp gauge!?  I know Ford like to be stingy but that's going a bit far lol... 

Engine will run hotter if the AC is on as it puts more load on the engine, but it sounds like yours isn't working anyway?

Have you got an OBD reader?  Even a free smartphone one will give you coolant temp as the PCM needs it, even if theres not a gauge on the dash.

Tom, looking at it after a good fight to get to the thermostat I think you might have answered my question to what I was thinking. The upside of things? I did a whole coolant fluid change, took most the car apart (over the top but what an awkward thing to get too) - ran the engine etc, aircon seems much better now for one and engine is slightly quieter. Hoping I might of sorted it and was been been a complete idiot. (what you get for been in a vaxhaull for a week I guess) :/

I really recommend getting an obd reader like Tom said.  You can use a free app like obd car doctor (android)  or numerous others to read temp sensors and check for dtcs.

 

A great bit of kit 

Also, if you think the car is starting to overheat (say stuck in traffic on a hot day), turn the blowers on hot and on max - the heater matrix acts as a secondary radiator, not ideal on a hot day as it would be hot air but I have the far passenger side vent angled towards the window so I can just drop the window slightly and close the other vents. I have only needed to do it once in my car as I was nothing the temperature nudge up slightly (although no where near overheating).

Seems really really odd Ford havn't given the driver a engine coolant temp, saying that it has more than my 1982 mini where the instruments consisted of approximate speed, approximate fuel, the indicator is on and low oil pressure with no water temp, you would have thought that over 30 years later they should be standard!

My last Fiesta had no temperature gauge.   I didn't realise when I bought it and as soon as I did realise I complained to the dealer who said that there was nothing that could be done.   I told  him that if I had known I'd never have bought the car.

On 11/06/2016 at 8:03 PM, JayG90 said:

Tom, looking at it after a good fight to get to the thermostat I think you might have answered my question

Was it the thermostat in the end? Hope so.

Would be useful feedback for others.

(Thermostats can usually be tested in a saucepan of water, on a cooker, with a thermometer, or just guess the temp, should open about 20C below boiling.)

On 14/06/2016 at 0:13 PM, Tdci-Peter said:

Was it the thermostat in the end? Hope so.

Would be useful feedback for others.

(Thermostats can usually be tested in a saucepan of water, on a cooker, with a thermometer, or just guess the temp, should open about 20C below boiling.)

I couldn't actually tell you. I took the thermostat out and tested it and was perfectly fine. Put it all back together and had a good clean of pipes etc (drained all fluid so thought may as well) and everything seemed okay, not been hot since.

Thanks for that. Good news.

It is possible the thermostat was stuck, they can do that as they wear. Maybe taking it out fixed it.

Keep an eye on the Temp, might be worth getting a new thermostat, most are only a few pounds, though I have seen some very high prices for them on some engines.

Peter,

 

17 minutes ago, Tdci-Peter said:

Thanks for that. Good news.

It is possible the thermostat was stuck, they can do that as they wear. Maybe taking it out fixed it.

Keep an eye on the Temp, might be worth getting a new thermostat, most are only a few pounds, though I have seen some very high prices for them on some engines.

Peter,

 

Think that is the problem, they charge with a housing which I wont need. I had the other half on the search as I was stripping it out and she managed to find me one for I think £1.89. Wondering if that's too cheap to be honest.

Does sound a bit suspicious. Usual price for a basic 'stat was about £4 I think.

You can test it before fitting. Also have a good look to see it is well made, any crimps, rivets or welds are sound. Don't want it falling apart and going down the water pump. That could be nasty! Same applies for a 'stat at any price though really.

Peter.