Overheating

[Killian]

Hi 

my 1.6 transit connect seems to be building pressure in the cooling system and blowing water out at cap then temperature gauge goes up 3/4 ways and van goes into limp mode 

I changed temperature sensor,thermostat and cap on expansion tank

Did anybody else come across this problem?

 

[Beta Don]

Head gasket??

 

Don

[Mike Chell]

Since you've replaced the thermostat ... here's my opinion.

You're not "building pressure up"  ... your radiator cap is failing.   Cooling systems are supposed to build pressure to about 13 PSI above atmospheric.  You get and extra 3 degrees before boiling for every pound of pressure you build.

If you're blowing pressure out, it's because it's not being allowed to build and you're losing pressure too soon.  This, in turn, lets the coolant boil at a lower temperature, creating more outflow through the capture reservoir.

 

If you have a head gasket leak, you would also have excessive water coming out the exhaust pipe ... all the time, not just at start up.

 

[G B L]

They make a tester that sniffs the radiator for the presence of combustion gas. It is a good way to test for a head gasket problem.  Compression leaks do not always show up in the exhaust. 

There was an overheat Recall on the 1.6 engine.  You should check to see if yours is covered, if so take it to ford.

Edited August 6, 2018 by G B L

[mrtn]

8 hours ago, G B L said:

There was an overheat Recall on the 1.6 engine.  You should check to see if yours is covered, if so take it to ford.

 

1.6 gasoline only. If OP has a 1.6 diesel then no.

[Mike Chell]

10 hours ago, G B L said:

Compression leaks do not always show up in the exhaust. 

You are correct, compression leaks don't.  But head gasket leaks that vent into the cooling system DO. 

You can't get leaks into the cooling system without having leaks back into the cylinder.

[Beta Don]

8 hours ago, Mike Chell said:

You are correct, compression leaks don't.  But head gasket leaks that vent into the cooling system DO. 

You can't get leaks into the cooling system without having leaks back into the cylinder.

It's been many years, but I've had head gasket leaks which did exactly what the OP says he has  -  Blowing water out of the radiator  -  and never had any sign of water in the exhaust.  How can water leak back into the cylinder when the engine is running??   . . . . and how can any water leak into the cylinder when you shut it off when all the water has been blown out of the cylinder head??

 

Maybe some engines DO put water in the exhaust with a blown head gasket, but I can tell you for sure, it's not always the case

 

Don

[Mike Chell]

Maybe not, Don. 

However, there is a moment in the operation of any internal combustion engine when there is very low pressure (strong vacuum) in the cylinder.  If there is a leak between the combustion chamber and the cooling system, then it will draw coolant into the cylinder during each intake stroke.

There might not be enough to notice in the exhaust (rarely, but possible) but it's getting in there.  Since there's already a gallon of water vapor being created for every gallon of fuel you put through there, it can be easy to miss the coolant in the exhaust ... but most people can smell it.

If an engine with a head gasket leak is left to sit for a week or so, the coolant in the cylinder will start to corrode the cast iron scraper ring, which then eats into the cylinder wall in plated cylinders.  If there's still a cast iron sleeve in that engine, the cylinder itself will start to rust.  I've seen it many, many times.

Edited August 6, 2018 by Mike Chell

[G B L]

Every body is correct here.

If there is s combustion leak into the cooling system the Tester I have will tell you for sure.

[Killian]

Got head gasket checked it’s ok 

so now with new thermostat and new cap it still does the same but not all the time 

So hard to understand what’s going on 

Thanks for all the replies 

[G B L]

Electric fan Switch or Circuit ?

['14 Connect]

Hello,, on the '14 or newer Connet 2.5L has anyone notice that the coolant needle goes from ice cold say in the morning  to the middle (normal operating temp) within like 60 seconds of driving. Its not overheating and never goes past the middle but it's crazy,,,, most every car takes at least 5-10 minutes of driving from cold to get to the middle normal mark! 

[Fifty150]

The needle is not accurate and indicates no exact temperature.  Don't worry too much about it.  Listen to the idle.  Look at the tachometer.  When you start the car cold, the idle will drop from 12XX to 8XX RPM as temperature reaches 100 Fahrenheit.  This is very fast, compared to cars with old technology.   At or about 150° F, the car goes from open loop to closed loop, and idle reduces to around 7XX RPM.  That needle is probably now where it indicates that you are okay - in the middle.  

 

  If you really want to fixate on the issue, set up some gauges with real numbers, and you can look at the temperature as you are driving.  You will also find that motion creates adequate airflow through the radiator, and the electric fan doesn't turn on much.  

[Don Ridley]

I would measure the temperature sensor resistance as the engine warns. It may be starting at the "hot" resistance value. It may work ok as long as it responds to temperatures above the thermostat setpoint.

 

...or don't worry about it until it causes a problem.

[sKiZo]

Ah ... limp mode. Didn't know the TCs had that. Came on my Olds Aurora where it's supposed to deadhead every other cylinder when triggered. Never had the opportunity to test it.

 

Thermostat replaced - wonder if these have a vent hole? That has to be at the top or the unit won't work properly. 

[Ash Vince]

Hi Killian have you sorted this problem? My connect 1.6 has exactly the same symptoms as you described.

 

[Jmariano]

On 12/6/2020 at 8:54 PM, Ash Vince said:

Hi Killian have you sorted this problem? My connect 1.6 has exactly the same symptoms as you described.

 

Have you figured something out? I have same problem

[MrAspli]

Anybody solved the problem?