Ford Focus 1.6T Ecoboost Coolant Leak
Discussion
Hi all
61 plate, 1.6T Ecoboost, done 61k.
Started with coolant leaking after being run for a while, topped back up and no leaks appear.
A search suggests the Thermostat housing needs replacing. Does anyone have any experience of the above? Hopefully it's not the same issues that some of the 1.0 Ecoboost engines have suffered
Thanks in advance
61 plate, 1.6T Ecoboost, done 61k.
Started with coolant leaking after being run for a while, topped back up and no leaks appear.
A search suggests the Thermostat housing needs replacing. Does anyone have any experience of the above? Hopefully it's not the same issues that some of the 1.0 Ecoboost engines have suffered
Thanks in advance
I don't know that engine so I have no idea how common it is to leak at the stat housing, but there are so many ways for the cooling system to leak that I'd prefer to track the leak down before trying to fix it. If the leak is temperature sensitive a cold pressure test might not show it, but that would be the first thing I'd try.
I recently sold an Ecoboost 1.6 180 estate, on a 62 plate with 34,000 miles on the clock, that I had owned for around three and a half years having bought it with 5000 miles on the clock .
During this time I experienced the coolant level dropping on a regular basis. Over the last two years my average mileage was 5000 a year. I would have to top up the coolant every two months or so or sometimes more frequently, it could drop as low as the minimum level. It seems to drop more on shorter journeys.
Four trips to the Ford dealership while still under warranty, they pressure tested it and could find no problems. There was no gunge in the oil, there were no signs of leaks, the filler cap was new.
I now understand it could be one of two problems, the water pump seeping (no signs of coolant loss) or water crossing into the cylinder heads during cold starts. Apparently the RS can have a similar fault. The design of the cylinder head can allow coolant to cross if the gasket is not perfectly aligned, or has warped slightly or is imperfect. A modified cylinder head gasket can remedy the problem.
On cold mornings you will get exhaust steam, this is normal, So it is not as apparent that the white steam continues longer than it should. Of course once the engine is warm and expands the leakage stops... until the next cold start.
While Ford are aware of this problem with the RS and now fit a modified gasket, so few 1.6 180s were sold Ford are 'unaware' of the problem with this particular engine.
I sold the car in December, it was reliable but the leak remained. That could be the problem.
During this time I experienced the coolant level dropping on a regular basis. Over the last two years my average mileage was 5000 a year. I would have to top up the coolant every two months or so or sometimes more frequently, it could drop as low as the minimum level. It seems to drop more on shorter journeys.
Four trips to the Ford dealership while still under warranty, they pressure tested it and could find no problems. There was no gunge in the oil, there were no signs of leaks, the filler cap was new.
I now understand it could be one of two problems, the water pump seeping (no signs of coolant loss) or water crossing into the cylinder heads during cold starts. Apparently the RS can have a similar fault. The design of the cylinder head can allow coolant to cross if the gasket is not perfectly aligned, or has warped slightly or is imperfect. A modified cylinder head gasket can remedy the problem.
On cold mornings you will get exhaust steam, this is normal, So it is not as apparent that the white steam continues longer than it should. Of course once the engine is warm and expands the leakage stops... until the next cold start.
While Ford are aware of this problem with the RS and now fit a modified gasket, so few 1.6 180s were sold Ford are 'unaware' of the problem with this particular engine.
I sold the car in December, it was reliable but the leak remained. That could be the problem.
Thanks for that. It's been fine ever since the original issue, Coolant has been checked on a weekly basis and hasn't dropped a ml since it was topped up.
We've had the car for 3 years now and it's been a Superb little run-around. We've only needed to service it & fit rear brake pads during that time.
We've had the car for 3 years now and it's been a Superb little run-around. We've only needed to service it & fit rear brake pads during that time.
Hi - wondering if you found a fix for this?
My partner noticed the heater wasn’t working in our 62 plate 1.6T ecoboost over the past few days. Had a look today and the coolant was way below minimum., just 10-15 mm at the bottom of the expansion tank. Added 500ml of Ford coolant for a trip to Guildford Ford and back to get some more, just checked coolant level and it’s back where it was this morning before top up.
Engine temps didn’t go past midway point (just below).
My partner noticed the heater wasn’t working in our 62 plate 1.6T ecoboost over the past few days. Had a look today and the coolant was way below minimum., just 10-15 mm at the bottom of the expansion tank. Added 500ml of Ford coolant for a trip to Guildford Ford and back to get some more, just checked coolant level and it’s back where it was this morning before top up.
Engine temps didn’t go past midway point (just below).
cornershop said:
Engine temps didn’t go past midway point (just below).
I expect you'll find that the actual engine temps were way above normal and you're increasing the risk of engine damage every minute you run it like this - just that the sender for the gauge is no longer seeing coolant flow.cornershop said:
Hi - wondering if you found a fix for this?
My partner noticed the heater wasn’t working in our 62 plate 1.6T ecoboost over the past few days. Had a look today and the coolant was way below minimum., just 10-15 mm at the bottom of the expansion tank. Added 500ml of Ford coolant for a trip to Guildford Ford and back to get some more, just checked coolant level and it’s back where it was this morning before top up.
Engine temps didn’t go past midway point (just below).
Check to see if your car Is subject to the new recall of Focus, Kuga and Fiesta ST built between 2010-2014, over cooling issues. https://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/...My partner noticed the heater wasn’t working in our 62 plate 1.6T ecoboost over the past few days. Had a look today and the coolant was way below minimum., just 10-15 mm at the bottom of the expansion tank. Added 500ml of Ford coolant for a trip to Guildford Ford and back to get some more, just checked coolant level and it’s back where it was this morning before top up.
Engine temps didn’t go past midway point (just below).
The fact that the Fiesta ST has the same engine .....
Thanks for this. I checked against Ford Etis using the reg, and it’s showing as an “oustanding field service action” to check cooling system.
Last weekend Ford advised they cannot see the car until March, so as car is still under warranty, said we could get AA man to check it over.
He couldn’t find a leak but took the expansion cap off, and brought it to temp to allow it to burp. We topped it up and it hasn’t come down since, even after 80miles covered by the Mrs. Although I get a whiff of burnt coolant entering the cabin now and again, so will keep the March appt to get it checked
Last weekend Ford advised they cannot see the car until March, so as car is still under warranty, said we could get AA man to check it over.
He couldn’t find a leak but took the expansion cap off, and brought it to temp to allow it to burp. We topped it up and it hasn’t come down since, even after 80miles covered by the Mrs. Although I get a whiff of burnt coolant entering the cabin now and again, so will keep the March appt to get it checked
Could be seepage in the cylinderhead, like the problem with the ST the cylinders are free standing and movement can damage the gasket. This in turn leads to coolant leak and white smoke.
Incidentally i put a thread in here regarding the recall that has just come out for these engines .
Incidentally i put a thread in here regarding the recall that has just come out for these engines .
I have just fallen victim to Ford Focus 1.6 ecoboost coolant problem. I got the recall notice on Friday 23rd March 2018, car goes on fire on Sunday 25th ... two days later, its almost like the car read the notice.
I did check the coolant level on Monday 19th March (day off for st patricks day) and it was just a little short of MAX, but hardly in need of any coolant.
Drove about 200 miles that week, including 25 mile on sunday to my mothers house. I did hear the electric fan when i stopped but thought, well i was in traffic and some cars do this, not usually the focus though. Two hours later i drive 1 mile , stop at traffic lights and i see smoke coming from the bonnet. I thought it was the car exhaust in front. I pulled over, lifted the bonnet, and there are flames, the rubber boot and the wiring harness to the crankcase sensor is on fire. Temp on dashboard has never changed from normal, no electric fan operating and the car is so hot it is on fire!
Managed to get a resident with a gallon of water to put the flames out, while i switched off the engine. I waited half an hour, and put warm coolant back in in hope more than expectation it would start, no chance!
Car was then towed to a ford dealer (left outside as it was sunday), on monday they tell me they dont want to fix it, but try Trustford. Three Trustford garages tried i get one that might look at it on Thursday, though later they tell me next week, after Easter.
Surely this is something Ford will fix, i have no idea what damage was done, but to just drive a car and it go on fire is alarming, with no warning,. If i had gone shopping and left it after a short drive i would come back to an inferno.
I wonder what you guys think, is this something ford should cover?
Car is Nov 2013 with 38K on clock
I did check the coolant level on Monday 19th March (day off for st patricks day) and it was just a little short of MAX, but hardly in need of any coolant.
Drove about 200 miles that week, including 25 mile on sunday to my mothers house. I did hear the electric fan when i stopped but thought, well i was in traffic and some cars do this, not usually the focus though. Two hours later i drive 1 mile , stop at traffic lights and i see smoke coming from the bonnet. I thought it was the car exhaust in front. I pulled over, lifted the bonnet, and there are flames, the rubber boot and the wiring harness to the crankcase sensor is on fire. Temp on dashboard has never changed from normal, no electric fan operating and the car is so hot it is on fire!
Managed to get a resident with a gallon of water to put the flames out, while i switched off the engine. I waited half an hour, and put warm coolant back in in hope more than expectation it would start, no chance!
Car was then towed to a ford dealer (left outside as it was sunday), on monday they tell me they dont want to fix it, but try Trustford. Three Trustford garages tried i get one that might look at it on Thursday, though later they tell me next week, after Easter.
Surely this is something Ford will fix, i have no idea what damage was done, but to just drive a car and it go on fire is alarming, with no warning,. If i had gone shopping and left it after a short drive i would come back to an inferno.
I wonder what you guys think, is this something ford should cover?
Car is Nov 2013 with 38K on clock
Edited by martxxxxxxx on Monday 2nd April 21:21
Edited by martxxxxxxx on Monday 2nd April 21:43
martxxxxxxx said:
I wonder what you guys think, is this something ford should cover?
Doesn't seem to me that this is anything to do with the recall. It sounds as if there has been a wiring fault, perhaps a live wire has worn through and shorted out. You will probably need to repair the loom, which could take a few hours for an auto electrician but doesn't sound like a huge deal. Is the vehicle still under warranty?Edited by GreenV8S on Monday 2nd April 23:16
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