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        General >> Problems >> Coolant Leak
        
(Message started by: TaperOne on May 17^th, 2004, 11:27am)

Title: Coolant Leak
Post by TaperOne on May 17^th, 2004, 11:27am

Dear All,

First, great website. Info found so far has been very helpfull.

Just bought '98 2.3 Ultima estate. Paid top money, but came with full history (127k) and it drives like it had 50k on the clock. Anyway, to my problems (with the car that is). I discovered that overnight, a very small amount of coolant was appearing under the car. On investgation, I found a very small weep from a blanking plate bolted to the rear of the cylinder head. Whilst the weep is not a real problem, the smell from burnt coolant coming through the vents is (the Missus thinks it smells like a bad curry!). The problem is one of access. I can get my hand round the back of the engine, but there is not enough clearance to use tools. Is it possible to remove the plastic engine bulkhead? I have had a close look and it seems impossible without removing the air con pipes. Failing that, its a head off job! I am going to try using something like wynns stop leak, but would rather replace the O ring.
The only other problem is, boy is it thirsty! Average of 15mpg in the first week! Mind you, as always, new toy, got to try it out, so I will be monitering this is the near future. Onboard computer rarely shows below 19mpg, though I dont really trust the computer reading.

Otherwise, I'm still luvin it!

Cheers

TaperOne

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by Richard on May 17^th, 2004, 11:46am

15 mpg,I thought 20-22 was bad on my 2.3,as for the leak not sure sorry.

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by TaperOne on May 19^th, 2004, 12:08am

Hi Richard,

Thanks for reply, sorry not to respond sooner. I have started a new posting 'bulhead removal'
regarding the problem.

Cheers

TaperOne

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by Eddie on May 21^st, 2004, 2:35pm

Curry pong is almost surely a leaking heater matrix.

Removing top section of engine bulkhead is only useful for disconnecting feed and return pipes from matrix-gives a bit more access.
otherwise its complete removal of dash as per instructions on site to get matrix out and replace. :'(

eddie

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by TaperOne on May 21^st, 2004, 3:40pm

Hi Eddie,

Thanks for the reply.

My first thoughts were the same as yours. But no evidence of leak from heater matrix so checked rear of the engine. Using a combination of mirror and 2000 candle power torch I managed to get a view of the back of the Head.

At the rear of the cylinder head is a large blanking plate that I assume is blanking of the coolant feed when the 2.3 engine is mounted transversly (Galaxy). This blanking plate is sealed with O ring which is weeping. The plate is held on by three torx screws. This is why I want to remove the bulkhead so I can replace the O ring. I was hoping that someone has done this and can give me some guidence. I am tempted to use Wynns Stop Leak, but I think thats a bodge. Rather do it properly if poss.

Cheers

TaperOne

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by Eddie on May 23^rd, 2004, 5:47am

Sorry,see what you mean,hot coolant drying on block and wafting inside=curry pong.

The top bit of the bulkhead is removable,a couple of self tappers. I only had a vacuum pipe to cut to complete removal. Air con pipes are another problem though,which I aint got?

eddie

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by ambrose427 on Sep 20^th, 2004, 8:44am

TaperOne,
My '96 2.3 Ultima Saloon has a similar coolant leak (which is not coming inside the car) and need to investigate further.

With regards to your earlier comment "I have started a new posting 'bulhead remova' regarding the problem."
I can't seen to find this anywhere on the site. Can you point me in the right direction.

Cheers,
Ronnie

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by TaperOne on Sep 20^th, 2004, 9:46am

Hi Ronnie,

Quite suprised to see this thread come up again. The thread that I started on 'bulkhead removal' (spelt correctly this time) was presumably lost when the server went belly up, but I got little response on that one. The Wynns Stop Leak worked for about 4 weeks, but then the weepng started again. I have since had a further look at the problem and it may be possible to just get a small torx key onto the bolts if the EGR system is removed. This will allow a bit more space behind the head. If the bolts are realy tight though, it may still be a head off job, or dsiconecting the Air Con and removing the bulkhead. Either way, I am not looking forward to tackling the job. At the moment I am putting up with the pong as the amount of coolant being lost is minimal. Be interesesting if any other members have any thoughts on the problem. How bad is your leak and is it coming from the same place?

Cheers

TaperOne

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by ambrose427 on Sep 20^th, 2004, 11:48am

Hi TaperOne,

The leak appears to be coming from the rear of the head, although it's difficult to see exactly where due to lack of space. I can see a small trace of the coolant going down the nearside of the bell housing. I'm currently topping up the coolant by about half a litre a week.

Had a pressure test done a couple of weeks ago by the local Ford garage, but they couldn't find anything wrong. Just grateful for any info/ideas on this subject again.

Cheers,
Ronnie

Title: Re: Coolant Leak
Post by TaperOne on Sep 20^th, 2004, 1:06pm

Ronnie,

From what you have described, it sounds like you have the same problem as I have. If you squeeze your hand in behind the back of the cylinder head from the passenger side (make sure the engine is cold), you should be able to feel the blanking plate which is about 7cm in diameter and is held in place by three torx mushroom head bolts. If you feel at the bottom of this plate, you should get a wet finger(?). Be warned, space is limited. The way I confirmed it was to balance a small vanity mirror at the back of the engine leaning against the bulkhead and using a seriously powerfull light source, you can get a look at the back of the head and should be able to see a witness of the coolant seeping out. One things for sure, Ronnie, you are loosing about three times the amount of coolant as I am. HTH

Cheers
TaperOne