Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


    
      
        Ford Scorpio Forum
        (https://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl)
      

        General >> Problems >> PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
        
(Message started by: rogo on Jun 20^th, 2006, 2:05pm)

Title: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by rogo on Jun 20^th, 2006, 2:05pm

I am worried that my wonderful 1998 Scorpio Cosworth has developed a fatal overheating problem!

I would be so grateful if someone out there could help.

The saga started a few months ago - a hose burst (the one on the LH side of the engine, viewed from in front, that runs out from under the underside of the front of the water reservoir across to the front of the engine and has a tee junction that goes down toward the bottom of the engine. it was on the teed off part running down where it burst.)

My garage said that this part was no longer available and did a "plumbers" repair using a short length of copper pipe and two jubilee clips. Unfortunately they managed to apply the clips twisted and they cut into the pipe and it failed and boiled over again a couple of miles into the journey home. They came out and repaired it again by the side of the road and filled up the system with water ( he muttered something about possible air lock?)

Ever since then the car can only be driven for a few miles before it overheats - the temp gauge will creep up to 3 o'clock and stay there - as it always did - then after 3 -4 miles begin creeping further up, slowly at first and then jumps up toward the red zone - then back down again and then back up - this continues, getting higher each time, until I stop and find the water has boiled and steam is forcing its way out arround the reservoir cap and the pressure is obviously far higher than it should be.

The garage initially said - thermostat or head gaskets - they did a CO2 ? test for head gaskets and said that it was negative - no gas in the water? There appears to be no contamination of the oil by water or water by oil.

After further head scratching and mutterings about a blockage, air locks, thermostat, their advice is - that, notwithstanding the negative CO2 test - it is probably the head gaskets or a crack or other engine fault - and I would be best advised to scrap it!

Can anyone diagnose from this description / suggest what it is most likely to be and solution - other than scrapping!

Many thanks

Roger

Title: Re: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by fordcos on Jun 20^th, 2006, 2:42pm

sounds like you need to find a garage that are more used to modern engines and a little more helpfull but definatly dont scrap it

Title: Re: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by Dave on Jun 20^th, 2006, 3:17pm

Hi Roger,

welcome to the site :)

I think you should check that the thermostat is opening properly as it could be stuck shut:

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/manual/cooling/Thermo24V.pdf

Put it in a pan of boiling water and see if it opens is the test I think. This problem can also cause funny temperature gauge readings IIRC.

Check that the fans are running - leave the engine running for a while while stationary and see if they come on - keep an eye on your temperature gauge!

Does the radiator look ok? Is it "ballooning"?

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/balloon.htm

Is the coolant full of bits/debris? The radiator may be blocked and need back flushing with a hose pipe.

Check the coolant reservoir cap as this can go wrong and cause water loss which can then lead to overheating (about £17 from Ford).

See how you go on :)

Cheers

Title: Re: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by Highlander on Jun 20^th, 2006, 3:36pm

Sounds like the stat as stated above

Check the small pipe from the top of the radiator to the reservoir for blockages (it should have one unless its had the wrong radiator fitted)

Water pump ? belt tensioner ok?

park the car facing uphill and run it to clear any possible airlocks

Title: Re: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by rogo on Jun 20^th, 2006, 4:11pm

Thank you gentlemen,

I will try all you suggest and hope that one or other of them does the trick- does it sound like head gaskets to you?

Roger

Title: Re: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by sector-9 on Jun 20^th, 2006, 5:19pm

Sounds more like an air-lock - easy to get on the V6. If it's only got plain water in it now then drain it all out (drain plug on radiator, think there might be one on the block too) and refill slowly with the correct strength mix of antifreeze.

Once filled, gently squeeze each of the hoses a few times and then top up again if it's gone down any. Leave the cap off.

Start the engine and let it run at idle until the cooling fans start then stop. Switch off the engine and refit the cap once it has cooled down.

Darren

Title: Re: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by davem on Jun 27^th, 2006, 2:06pm

You may have sorted it by now, but as one of Dave's suggestions mentioned, I would check both cooling fans are running. The fans on mine both seem to come on pretty much straight away but also, wait until the temp dial goes above half way (starting to overheat) as both fans should be running full speed now. If not (or only one fan), there's the problem, and it could be faulty fan, wiring to fans or fan relay.

Dave

Title: Re: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by howiedintheplace on Jun 27^th, 2006, 10:06pm

Sounds like air lock to me ;)

Title: Re: PLEASE HELP - 98 24v engine overheating
Post by jonnycab on Jun 28^th, 2006, 1:13am

If it's an airlock then I use the following procedure. It works a treat :-
1) Pull off the small hose that goes to the expansion tank.
2) Shove a transparent pipe approx 2 feet in length into it & attach it to the underside of the bonnet as high as it will go (air rises to the highest point) with gaffa tape.
3) Start the car & sit in drivers seat revving engine. When the engine warms up you will see any air bubbles in the cooling system expelled through the transparent pipe.
4) When no more air can be seen bubbling up, then the system should be air free.
Takes about 20 minutes :)
Hope this helps :)