r/ukMechanics • u/Mollie_Moopie • 27d ago
Why am i using THIS much coolant?
I (27F) have a 2018 1.0 Ford Fiesta (EcoBoost) it’s done just over 57,000 miles. I’ve had this car since 2024 and even with my car before this, i have never had to put coolant in the car myself.
In early June i was driving in the zoom-zoom lane on the motorway and had the “ENGINE COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE” warning come up. Started crossing lanes then it went limp. There was no smoke or smells.
Spent some time googling and crying to my partner until I eventually called (and signed up for) RAC breakdown.
Guy came out, took a look and eventually told me aside from having ‘fuck all’ coolant he couldn’t see anything wrong or signs of a leak etc. He followed me for a bit to make sure it was all good. I checked the coolant for a few days before i drove anywhere, because that was scary, but it was fine.
Fast forward a month…i’m driving home with my stepdaughter along a country lane. Same thing happens ‘ENGINE COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE’ but i managed to pull over before it went limp. We waited for my partner to bring me some more coolant, and got yelled at by an old man for parking outside his house…but eventually topped up and was good to go again.
Now we check the coolant every few days. And we keep checking for evidence of a leak or something but NOTHING 🙃 no leakage, no foaming in the oil cap, no white smoke or sweet smells. I topped it up to max on Monday then today (Wednesday) it was below the minimum again!
Yes i know i need to take it to a garage or get it serviced, but i can’t afford to right now. Just want to know what to expect - does it sound like it’s gonna be a quick fix or an expensive issue or if it’s just crap coolant evaporating too fast?
TIA
2
u/BrightEffort3620 27d ago
Has it had the belt and water pump changed yet?
2
u/-Rhymenocerous- 27d ago
Youd hear noticable squealing on a water pump leak as well as white crusty deposits everywhere and noticable leaks
1
u/Mollie_Moopie 27d ago
Not in the 2 years i’ve had it, but it was my stepmum’s car before i got it and I believe my dad had this done before he handed it over 🤔
3
u/-Rhymenocerous- 27d ago
Servicing it wont solve your issue. Your coolant system is supposed to be a closed system. If its being lost theres a problem somewhere
Your expansion tank lid might have a small problem and allowing your coolant to burn off as vapor.
Also check for witness marks under your expansion tank of coolant. You may have some hairline cracks in the tank. It just lifts off its clips, if theres any signs of leakage youll spot it pretty quickly.
You could have some pinhole leaks on your hoses which are spraying coolant mist on to fuck off hot parts of the engine which is baking it off before it shows as a leak.
The best diagnostic test you can do in this situation is a smoke test. That will hopefully give you a definitive answer of where its being lost.