Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


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

        General >> Problems >> Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
        
(Message started by: gerryw on May 11^th, 2007, 5:23pm)

Title: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by gerryw on May 11^th, 2007, 5:23pm

Hi All,

My coolant is disappearing very slowly i.e. the water level warning light comes on after approx 800/1500 mls, and I only have to fill the header tank from the Min to the Max levels?

S0, has anybody got any ideas as I cannot see where it is leaking from and it must only be the slightest of leaks!

Regards
Gerryw

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by Snoopy on May 11^th, 2007, 5:29pm

Balloned rad gives these sort of symptoms well worth gettting under neath and having a good lok around, A peice of white kitchen paper ussually displays any water loss around if you touch it wher eyou might think. Especially if you have antifreeze in.

Otherwise its a case of looking around and finding a weep, another source is a core plug on the engine but hose sort are in my experience very rare.
Others will have other ideas I am quite sure.

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by cossiejamie on May 11^th, 2007, 5:43pm

Hi, I have to top mine up about every 30-40 miles. pretty sure its the rad, as the cosworths can balloon, probably due to the thrmostat. If you change the rad, its recommended to do stat as well. Mine doesn`t look swollen but there is a wet patch at bottom corner of rad, passenger side.
I would check the gearbox fluid just in case. Should be nice and pink, but think i read on here it can leak into that.
I`m no expert tho. I`m not sure what to do myself yet. Ford rad is £350 i believe, car spares £186, but i might get it re-cored yet.
For now i`m just topping up with water, been like it since i bought it last september and got no worse, what with me being skint and tight lol
Yours doesn`t sound as bad a leak as mine, but at least i know where its going.
Jamie

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by Highlander on May 11^th, 2007, 7:00pm

sounds like the heater matrix.

I've had a 2.3 radiator in a 24v for over two years now with no probs.
Thunderchild has done the same in his 24v recently and its running fine too.

simple replacement, the only thing you need to do is swap the coolant resorvoir for the 2.3 one as the 24v has the extra pipe going to the top of the radiator.

You'll pick up a new 2.3 rad on ebay for £45 ;)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-GRANADA-AND-SCORPIO-DOHC-2000-RADIATOR_W0QQitemZ150114091657QQihZ005QQcategoryZ21654QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by cossiejamie on May 12^th, 2007, 1:42pm

Thanks highlander, this sounds like its worth a go, for £45 quid i`d take a chance.
Anyone know how much a reservoir is and if its the same as the 2.0L?
Might try a few scrappers round brum see if any in
Thanks again
Jamie 8)

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by Kjetil S on May 12^th, 2007, 6:43pm

The reservoir is one of the few cheap thing ford have in stock, actually ;D

I replaced mine about a year ago, after my filler cap split in half. I don't remember how much I paid, but I remember being pleasantly surprised when they told me the price.

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by Highlander on May 12^th, 2007, 11:44pm

Yep the 2.0 and 2.3 use the same reservoir.

I have one you can have for the postage cost

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by cossiejamie on May 13^th, 2007, 3:52am

This all sounds too good to be true!
Are you telling me i dont have to fork out £350 for a rad after all? :o
Would you still recommend changing the themostat? And if so is it £13 or £45 from ford and a 6 month wait, from what i`ve read off here?
I`m now begining to think cossie rads only last about 7 or 8 years anyway, and a cheapo one will last at least half that time.
Conspiracy theory anyone? >:(
If you find out how much is the postage i will gladly take that res off your hands, if you will take a cheque? Obviously you can let it clear first. I`ve only had a computer for 1 month, no paypal and know not much about scorpsio`s or computers, so am at your mercy :-[
I think a pm might be in order, or can put my e mail up.
Thanks
Jamie

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by cossiejamie on May 13^th, 2007, 3:54am

And i cant spell scorpio`s, lol. :-[

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by Highlander on May 13^th, 2007, 5:13pm

Well it seems to work, two years plus in mine and Thunderchilds is working ok so far too.
I never changed my thermostat but its the more expensive one, the cheaper one will likely be for the Granada
Plus £350 for a radiator for a car thats worth £500-1000 seems a bit too much to me so its worth a go.

PM sent

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by cossiejamie on May 13^th, 2007, 10:07pm

AH, I have a problem. Just checked that link and it says all the auto ones have been sold. Don`t think it was like that when you put it up. Guess you have to be quick! Oh well back to square one. Looks like i`ll have to take a raincheck for now :(
Thanks anyway.
Does anybody know if a 12v will fit? I think Matt has one, and he`s only down the road.
Any advice greatly appreciated
Jamie

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by scorpio_man on May 13^th, 2007, 10:14pm

hi there

same thing applies, you need to change the header tank.

hth

copied from the mailing list....

Clive, for the sake of #20 or so, several owners have changed the expansion tank and cap, with positive results.

WRT to hose 6, I believe the rad you have been given is the 12v version, which is available from motor factors [and a lot cheaper].

I also went down this path, and couldn't see a need for the hose 6, [top hose is mounted higher] so just ordered an expansion tank for the 12v [cologne possibly?]. This has the single hose connector.

This mod survived on mine for about 3 years, until the petrol tanker wiped out my 24v....

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by cossiejamie on May 13^th, 2007, 11:40pm

Thank you scorpio man :D
I`ll ask Matt how much he wants for his 12v rad and header tank.
Any ideas what i should offer him?
Jamie

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by cossiejamie on May 13^th, 2007, 11:47pm

Stuart, thanks again for the offer. I`ve only just found how to read PM`s! :-[
As i say Matt is only down the road, and i`ll need the rad too.
Thanks anyway
Jamie

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by Highlander on May 14^th, 2007, 9:23pm

No problem ;D

Title: Re: Cossie (97) Coolant Leak
Post by cossiejamie on Jun 2^nd, 2007, 10:55pm

12v rad and header fitted on monday, no problems so far.
Hasn`t lost any water, overheated or burst the rad yet 8)
Will flush the system and actually use antifreeze soon when i`ve put a few miles on it and know for sure its ok :)