Hi
I’ve got a problem with Daughters Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 1999. Cut a long story short it’s not been used whilst she’s been away at university for 3 years. I’ve just occasionally run it and moved it up and down the drive. Decided she now wants to use it again.
Did some basic work on it and submitted it for an MOT. Ran fine for 12 miles there, temp gauge needle has always been in the middle, no experience of overheating etc. I did fix a leaking hose on it prior to the MOT test. The tank split on the seam, went with one heck of a bang !
So halfway through the MOT whilst it was running the expansion tank burst, sending steam everywhere. Temp gauge normal, fan didn’t cut in. Fitted a new tank, filled it with water, let it burp, and drove it 12 miles home with the heater on full blast, very warm air. No problems, no major pressure build up in the expansion tank.
Had a good look and found a few leaks, cleaned fittings, new clips, new thermostat, and plastic housing (could see coolant stains, common problem). Filled with water (no coolant), burped. Only run on the drive for a while, temp up to normal, top up water.
Problem is with the cap off water is boiling, temp gauge normal, no fan cut in, all hoses warm, except stat to radiator bottom hose, and bottom of radiator. I’ve disconnected the fan switch to prove the fan circuit works. Dropped both old and new stats in boiling water prior to fitting, both open at same temp.
So I’m suspecting this sounds like a blocked rad or pump restricting cooling but why isn’t the temp gauge going over halfway and kicking the fan in.
I know just water will boil sooner than coolant mix, but seems strange. Also now the heater won’t blow warm air, despite pipes by bulkhead being warm. Also no steam from exhaust, no emulsifying of oil, so don’t think it’s a head gasket.
Any ideas what the problem is ?
I’ve got a problem with Daughters Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 1999. Cut a long story short it’s not been used whilst she’s been away at university for 3 years. I’ve just occasionally run it and moved it up and down the drive. Decided she now wants to use it again.
Did some basic work on it and submitted it for an MOT. Ran fine for 12 miles there, temp gauge needle has always been in the middle, no experience of overheating etc. I did fix a leaking hose on it prior to the MOT test. The tank split on the seam, went with one heck of a bang !
So halfway through the MOT whilst it was running the expansion tank burst, sending steam everywhere. Temp gauge normal, fan didn’t cut in. Fitted a new tank, filled it with water, let it burp, and drove it 12 miles home with the heater on full blast, very warm air. No problems, no major pressure build up in the expansion tank.
Had a good look and found a few leaks, cleaned fittings, new clips, new thermostat, and plastic housing (could see coolant stains, common problem). Filled with water (no coolant), burped. Only run on the drive for a while, temp up to normal, top up water.
Problem is with the cap off water is boiling, temp gauge normal, no fan cut in, all hoses warm, except stat to radiator bottom hose, and bottom of radiator. I’ve disconnected the fan switch to prove the fan circuit works. Dropped both old and new stats in boiling water prior to fitting, both open at same temp.
So I’m suspecting this sounds like a blocked rad or pump restricting cooling but why isn’t the temp gauge going over halfway and kicking the fan in.
I know just water will boil sooner than coolant mix, but seems strange. Also now the heater won’t blow warm air, despite pipes by bulkhead being warm. Also no steam from exhaust, no emulsifying of oil, so don’t think it’s a head gasket.
Any ideas what the problem is ?
