Hi all

I have a mk2 2006 ford focus sport 1.8 TDCI

 

over last 2 or 3 months or so I've been getting this problem.

 

I fill the coolant bottle to top or just above maximum, after driving 5 minutes or so I open the bonnet and the bottle is empty or bare minimum. I can then drive the car for 2 weeks or so without any overheating, still getting heat in the car and I always have plenty of bottles of tapwater in the boot in case of an emergency. after driving around for 2 weeks or so I refill fill the bottle to be on safe side, only for the bottle to be empty again within 5 minutes of driving but can still drive without any problems for weeks !

 

the coolant bottle was replaced with a brand new one not long ago

any ideas to the cause is greatly appreciated as always

 

 

regards

sounds like you have a leak elsewhere.

Could be the reservoir cap, or could be a split elsewhere in the cooling system, a hose for example.

Really you need to get under the car and look around.

25 minutes ago, jeebowhite said:

sounds like you have a leak elsewhere.

Could be the reservoir cap, or could be a split elsewhere in the cooling system, a hose for example.

Really you need to get under the car and look around.

Hey

If it were a leak then why is my coolant bottle emptying out so fast whereas the rest of the water in the car seems to remain ?  surely the remaining water would empty out as quickly as that in the bottle if it were a leak ?

 

Cannot see any split hoses or water under car or it's components. I've looked many times under car but cannot see any traces of water leaks

 

what are you thinking ?

 

thanks

You're probably just over filling it.  Don't forget water expands with heat, it is designed so the cap let's out any excess.

As long as it's not below the minimum mark it'll be fine.

so the pink coolant leaves the system, but the water you have put in there is staying?!?

If you are replacing the lost coolant (regardless of how it is lost) with tap-water, then you are asking for trouble!  Over time it will diminish the strength of the anti-freeze in the system and result in the coolant freezing over winter, potentially cracking the block.

Couldnt agree more with Jamie's sentiment.

I'd definitely start by looking at replacing the cap. Ford loves nothing more than providing duff caps which deteriorate quickly! - easy to obtain and fairly cheap to replace.

If the seals gone then the fluid will just evaporate out into atmosphere. The remaining fluid already in the system will just cycle until eventually that evaporates too.

How is your oil? milky coloured? frothing at the dip-stick? it has to be going somewhere unless your gasket on your waterpump/thermostat has perished and its pouring out when you give it the beans. My Vectra Turbo did that. Wouldn't drip a single drop on the drive and if I drove nice the level stayed where it was meant to be. However, the second I gave it the beans 3 or 4 times in a run it just disappeared, empty!