Help needed. Cooling system problems.

Hello all.

I have a R reg ford escort. Bit of a shed. I'm not that clued up on cars so not sure of the right words to describe different parts etc. apologies in advance..

Today I was out and about when I heard a sort of bubbling noise coming from the engine. Anyhow I stopped and had a look and it was the water container thing (where the water and coolant goes) The water level was very high despite not being over filled. There is a hose that goes into the side of the container and it looked as if the water was bubbling through it or as if air was being blown into the raised water in the container therefore bubbling up the water. I removed the cap to relieve the pressure and drove home. I allowed the engine to cool and checked the water level which had seemingly drained away! There was no sign of a leak on the road so the water is still there somewhere. I topped up the water and left the cap off. Not sure if I was right in doing so. I started the car and let it run for about 15mins. Checked the level again and it was rising. Nearly came out the hole so I switched the engine off.

I'm told it may be an airlock in the cooling system. Does this sound right? Not wanting to ignore the advice I was given, but wanted to see what other people though who had more car knowledge than me..

Anyway that's about it. Sorry if it doesn't make sense or if I have posted in the wrong section.

Any advice will be gratefully received.

Cheers.


UPDATE.

Just ran the car again without the cap on the water container for about 10mins. The water in the container raised up and overflowed. The hose that runs into the container near the top was kind of shooting bubbles or water into the container and was making a loud rattling noise. So to clarify, the water level in the container was high enough to cover the hole where the small hose runs into the container. Through that hose came either water or bubbles/air. Hard to tell which because of the water level. There was bubbles/foam on the top of the water. I switched off the engine and it continued, but the water slowly receded. Any ideas please?

Thanks. Really hope someone can help me.

when it gets hot , does the radiator fan come on?
Also, does the radiator get hot?

The fan came on when I was out and about, but since I've been home it hasn't come on at all. The radiator was coldish. Not stone cold though.

Water is brown too if that means anything.

At this stage, I suspect that your thermostat has failed...preventing cooling water flowing through the radiator. When this happens, the water in the engine locally boils and is forced out of the expansion bottle.
The other scenario is a blown head gasket, which will have the same effect of expelling coolant. You don't want to see any oil in the coolant....rusty water means that the coolant hasn't been changed in ages - but better rust than oil!
John

So I need to drain it yeah? Will check the thermostat but not sure where it is located on my escort. It's an R reg. 97 I think that makes it. Could be wrong.

Thanks for your help..

Should be where the top hose goes into the head.

Drain the system by removing the bottom hose on the rad, and pouring water into the expansion bottle to flush it.
Take the thermostat out, and heat it in water - it should start to open at around 90 deg C.
If you are unsure about the 'stat, fit a new one anyway, and fill up the coolant system for a check. (No need for antifreeze at this stage). If normal service is resumed, drain down again and add antifreeze at a 50% mix.
John

Nice one thanks alot. Will give it a go and post the results.

Cheers!

Oh yeah forgot to say: the top hose that runs into the container gets very hot. The hose at the bottom of the container is cold. As is the radiator. The fan does not kick in anymore.

I am assuming it's still the thermostat. Just been quoted £11.98 for a new thermostat but he reckons I'd be stupid to try to fit it myself. Money making I think that's called!

Cheers

UPDATE. I was just told by the fella next door who reckons he know's it all that I should just take ouyt the 'stat as they are more of a hinderance than a help. Not sure about that!?!

By all means test the car with the thermostat out, but it would be daft to leave it out all of the time...you would get condensation inside the engine which would cause a sludgy build up called mayonnaise.
Also the engine would be overfuelled because it would think it was too cold.
Thermostat replacement isn't usually a big deal but I can't comment on that particular car...but as Peter says its likely to be where the top rad hose joins into the cylinder block.
Good luck with it!
John

Drained the system. Fitted a new thermostat but problem still there. Water in the expansion bottle seems to boil up. There seems to be very little pressure coming from the top of the 'stat housing into the small hose. I checked the small hose for blockages but seems fine. There doesn't seem to be any oil in the water I drained out. Slightly sticky if anything.

The heaters don't heat up. Just blowing cold air. Tried bleeding the system with the cap off the expansion bottle and the ehating on full. The water just seemed to boil up and overflow. The fan still doesn't kick in. The radiator is cold as is the hose underneath.

I'm kind of lost for ideas now.

So, it seems like you have either a circulation problem or cylinder head gasket failure.
Don't be too concerned about the poor flow from the stat housing - if I remember correctly its just a bleed really.
If the water blows out immediately on starting up, suspect head gasket failure, but if it waits a minute or two for things to heat up, it could be a broken water pump - not particularly common on Fords but it does happen.
Check for evidence of water in the oil too.
Head gasket failure usually displays itself by oil in the coolant, but a garage would 'sniff' the coolant, looking for traces of exhaust combustion.
John

It takes a good 10-15 minutes to boil up and overflow. I'm thinking pump now. I take it that'll be a biggish job and will cost a few quid!

The oil looks good. Bit dirty but no obvious sign of water in it. Checked the dipstick and under the filler cap.

Cheers

Hi Mark
I think if the pump was goosed the engine would overheat long before 15 minutes......check that the main radiator isn't blocked, will you, and keep flushing the block out.
I guess your engine is the 16v Zetec - in which case the water pump is driven by the timing belt.
John

Evening John.

To flush it out do I just keep pouring in water with the hose dissconnected from the radiator or do I do the bleedin thing again? I need a watering can I think as I'm pouring water in using the kettle which takes ages. Also wondering how the blockage is cleared? Will the water being poured in do it?

Sorry if that sounds stupid. I know nothing about cars other than what I'm being told on here, so I changed the thermostat by what is said here. Your good, clear advice is a great help.

We are being told all sorts by different garages. From water pump to head gasket. Nightmare.

Cheers John.