1991Jeep_Man

Hey everyone. I need a little help.

My mother has a 2002 Ford Escape, with a 2.0 4 banger 5 speed manual. Closed cooling system.

Anyways, all is well with the engine. Sounds good, tranny is solid, no leaks... at least I dont think.

Her issue is kinda recent. It started with her heat going out. No heater. After checking various things, we found the coolant was low in the pressure bottle. Filled to the correct level, and all was right with the world again. Heater worked, no isses. (HOWEVER, even though the coolant was low, she NEVER overheated. Never showed signs of overheating! Driving performance stayed the same.)

Well, here we are about 3 weeks to a month later, and her heat went out again. Checked, sure enough the coolant was low. Filled, good to go. Never any overheating, no rough running, no milky coolant, no smoke from the exhaust, nothing. No CEL, no oil lights, nothing. Everything is fine!

What's going on here? I see no puddles on the road under the car. No leaks in the engine bay. I appreciate help ya'll, and my mother does as well!

mcguyver_xj

had the same issue with my girlfriends car '98 ford escort 2.0 4cylinder 5speed and let it go just kept topping it off well one day decided to go super detective and look around and sure enough the radiator had a super small leak caused by the plastic side tanks expanding and contracting hence slowly breaking the seal (common ford problem) replaced the radiator problem solved

1991Jeep_Man

I didn't even think a second thought to glance at the radiator. I will be sure to give it a good look around tomorrow. I also didn't know it was a common Ford problem... hopefully this will be the case. Im one of those guys who would rather find the fault and know whats wrong rather than be clueless. Thanks for the help!

mcguyver_xj

well i am just saying common ford problem to pick on fords but it happens a lot with radiators with plastic side tanks

Agent_Oragnge

check all the hoses as well. wifes nissan frontier had a hose not 100% sealed from the radiator and when hot would blow steam from the connection. the tell tale sign was the greenish "corrosition" (leftovers from her evaped coolant) around the end of the hose/rad.

never a drop on the pavement, just blew out as steam.

Zack92MJ

my leaks on the plastic radiator out part. Took me for ever to find it. Most days you cant even tell its leaking at all.

mcguyver_xj

also and since its 5 speed the side tanks aren't even used so the temp. differences are far greater as compared to if there was say the trans. cooler in use

jnicewan

I think the 4cyl still used the green coolant but if its gold coolant it usually leaves a white or yellow powdery trace/stain behind when it leaks then dries. Green coolant usually leaves a green stain.

Its a little hard to see the whole thing but the thing I see most on the 2.0 Zetec engine as far as a coolant leak is the thermostat housing. I have seen the housings warp and/or crack. The leak area is usually on the bottom portion. A small inspection mirror and flashlight will usually provide a decent way to see the bottom and backside of the housing. The thermostat housing is a 2-piece plastic housing on the back side of the cylinder head.