Matt H Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 This question relates to my 1998 Ford Escort. After a 400 mile round trip this weekend to Centre Parcs and back, my escort has developed a problem. The car seemed to be fine, but today I get in to drive to work and the heater isn't blowing hot air. On the way home, the temp went right up so I pulled over to let it cool down. The oil filler cap had come partially off and a little bit of steam was coming out. Obviously the car was over heating. Any ideas? I've read just now that it could be trapped air or the thermostat that has gone? Worse case head gasket? Ta Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 After a 400 mile round trip this weekend to Centre Parcs and back, my escort has developed a problem. Matt I thought you had a girlfriend, why were you taking an escort to Centre Parks Mike btw. no idea about the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devan Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I had this in my Supra last month, found the water pump was leaking quite bad, and the coolant had emptied itsself so much that when i looked there was no sign of coolant in the radiator or expansion tank. I think no hot air is an early sign of coolant loss, but the car will overheat within 20 seconds of no hot air blowing. Thats what i found anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purity14 Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 If i tell you that you have a blockage and/or waterpump failure can we have a pic of you 'riding the whip' with your escort? Oh, grab your two pipes and see if one is cold and one is hot *grin* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Air lock or water leak or the worst case headgasket. Have you done anything to the car lately? Or as said above blocked rad or water pump fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted March 16, 2010 Author Share Posted March 16, 2010 Well I've just been out to inspect now it's cooled down. I looked at the water / coolant bottle and it was bone dry. I went in, filled a jug up with water and came out to fill the bottle. I went in to get a bit more water, and when I came back out it was empty again! I poured the water in and noticed it come out from under the car, pretty much directly underneath the water / coolant bottle. Those that have mentioned that it could be the water pump, do you know if that is located directly under the tank? Going to have a closer look this weekend in better light and see if I can spot a pipe or something. Thanks for the advice so far guys I thought you had a girlfriend, why were you taking an escort to Centre Parks Mike Aye I do, but me and 3 mates all piled in the escort at the same time was too much fun to miss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 when my water pump went on the Fiesta I could fill the expansion tank, but when the engine started it dumped it all immediately. I would imagine that the pump could fail either side though. Don't know where the water pump is located specifically on your escort. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devan Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Nope sorry i dont know where the water pump on an Escort is, worth a look on google though maybe. What year and engine is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Not sure where it is on an Escort, but on a previous Rover of mine (similar-ish age to yours I would guess) the water pump was down low on the side of the engine. It was driven by the cambelt and when it leaked, water appeared on the floor directly below the cambelt cover. Careful that the overheating hasn't warped the cylinder head, which will cause head gasket failure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devan Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Yeah its probably belt driven off the aux belt like on the Supra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thanks for all comments so far.. I quess I'll find out on Saturday when I jack it up. I'm presuming the pump is on the offside. If it's driven from the belt it should be there, which is where the water is coming from. What year and engine is it? It's 1998 and the Engine is the 1.8 LX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Engine bay pic would help Matt. PS a small mount of steam from the oil filler cap is relatively normal. Obviously if its like a Turkish sauna, thats not! Any creamy white stuff in the oil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Any creamy white stuff in the oil? :taped:This is Matt remember Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Engine bay pic would help Matt. PS a small mount of steam from the oil filler cap is relatively normal. Obviously if its like a Turkish sauna, thats not! Any creamy white stuff in the oil? I'll take a snap then. It was only a reletively small amout of steam, not what I'd expect if the oil was seriously overheated. Umm, no Rob, no cream in the oil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Thats a good sign, usually get a creamy white emulsion in the oil if the head gasket is gone (assuming its gone between oil and water jackets) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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