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Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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sunnyj58
Novice
Nov 9, 2013, 10:21 AM
Post #1 of 13
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Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Hi all,
Just joined this forum as it seems quite active and ive got a major problem with my car.
The car is a 1999 ford fiesta encore. 1.25l engine.
So problems are that a few times (I think 4 now, spaced out over 2-3 months) ive gone to the car to discover a puddle where your feet go as the driver. I suppose quite a few times its really damp there but if im honest ive ignored it. But 4 or so times there have been quite big puddles. I looked for where the water could be coming from and cant find it. Everywhere around the door, window etc is dry.
Other problem I have is the thermostat gauge doesnt work. And also the heater only blows cold air. Now its starting to get cold outside this is causing a problem.
So today I checked my water level and saw it was a little low. But also REALLY dirty brown. Muddy water basically.
So I topped it up and for about 20mins or so I left engine on until water started bubbling. ALOT of air came out but it wouldnt stop. Also noticed the fan at front of car NEVER kicked in.
After 20mins or so I stopped car and all the water in the reservoir just went away. So I refilled it. Turned car back on and repeated. Did this twice and now atleast the water in reservoiris a normal colour. Also when I turned car off I could hear and kind of fizzling sound coming out of the reservoir.
Any idea of what the problem could be, or what I should do?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2013, 10:25 AM
Post #2 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Have you determined if the water leaking behind the carpet is coolant or just water? If the coolant is boiling in the reservoir, your overheating the engine.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 9, 2013, 10:27 AM)
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sunnyj58
Novice
Nov 9, 2013, 10:31 AM
Post #3 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Hi Thanks for the reply.
I dont think the water on the floor is coolant. I put about 3l water into the coolant today whilst trying to get air out. And the floor inside the car didnt get any wetter. Im pretty sure the water didnt just leak away onto floor either. But its so wet outside at the moment I suppose its a small possibility.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 9, 2013, 10:38 AM
Post #4 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Sounds like this coolant system has never been serviced. You probably need to perform a pressure test using a cooling system pressure tester to see if you have any leaks.
If you find any leaks, repair them. How are the hoses? If the hoses are original, they probably need to be replaced along with the coolant system being flushed out. The radiator may need to be replaced along with the radiator cap. The thermostat should be removed and replaced while flushing the system also.
With the ac turned on, does the cooling fan come on?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 9, 2013, 10:39 AM)
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sunnyj58
Novice
Nov 9, 2013, 10:57 AM
Post #5 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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I dont have the tools to do that. Are they expensive?
The hoses seem ok. Though I doubt theyve been replaced any time recently.
The car doesnt have AC. Just normal blowers. I think at one point I turnt them on and didnt notice the fan kicking in.
Though im sure at one point warm air was coming through them which is a first.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 9, 2013, 11:09 AM
Post #6 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Normally on a vehicle with ac and electric cooling fans, the fans will come on when the ac compressor is engaged or when the ac high side pressure is high enough on vehicles with pressure transducers. If you don't have ac, the fans only come on when the engine computer detects that the fans need to come on because of the engine coolant temperature reaching a certain temp. Some vehicles have a sensor that is also a switch that is used to turn fans on. Don't have that vehicle here in the states, so can't tell you how the fan circuit is designed, but you should focus on finding out if there are any leaks first and bringing the system up to par.
Some part stores have a tool loan program. You may be able to borrow a coolant pressure tester.
My suggestion is to have a reputable repair shop take a look at it to find out what is going on. They can diagnose it for a fee and you can decide if you want to perform the repair yourself when they give you an estimate. They should have all the tools and experience which means you don't have to spend money on buying test equipment and spending hours or days searching for information to troubleshooting it.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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sunnyj58
Novice
Nov 10, 2013, 3:28 AM
Post #7 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Deleted post as found what was looking for.
Still have above problems though.
(This post was edited by sunnyj58 on Nov 10, 2013, 6:07 AM)
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sunnyj58
Novice
Nov 16, 2013, 7:24 AM
Post #8 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Quick question here all.
Does the temperature sensor control the temp gauge inside car?
What does the thermostat control?
Which one would be responsible for controlling the radiator fan at front of car?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 16, 2013, 7:55 AM
Post #9 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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The computer controls the fan through the same coolant temp sensor that is uses for fuel mixture and many other things. That will usually set a code when that is bad. Some car use it for the temp gauge and some have a separate sender for the gauge.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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sunnyj58
Novice
Nov 16, 2013, 8:35 AM
Post #10 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Ok so I thought this would be better with pics..
This is the thermostat.. guessing it shouldnt look like this?
http://postimg.org/image/y9zgufg6p/
Next I want to ask what this sensor is?
http://postimg.org/image/jq77227nx/
Is this the temp guage sensor?
http://postimg.org/image/3w6hz1iu9/
Also.. this is the engine, my car is a 1999 ford fiesta finesse 1.3l. Just making sure this is a MK4 engine?
http://postimg.org/image/rwh4ve1lj/
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 16, 2013, 8:51 AM
Post #11 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Not sure on this engine, but the thermostat could be under that housing in the first pic.
The second pic is an O2 sensor.
Not sure what you are trying to point out in the third pic.
We don't have that vehicle here in the states, so can't tell you which engine that is.
Did you have the system pressure tested for leaks?
The coolant system on that one looks a little neglected. If you can't id the engine, don't have any service literature, don't have the tools, or can't id the parts on the engine, you really need to get it to a repair shop for diagnosis.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 16, 2013, 8:53 AM)
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sunnyj58
Novice
Nov 21, 2013, 9:17 AM
Post #12 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Hey all,
So little update.
Today I replaced the thermostat and flushed the cooling system. Took about 5 flushs before water would run clearish. Was really filthy with a horrible smell.
Cleaned the thermostat housing up but must have dislogded some rust because when I put the hose back on it would leak. Manage to use a little electrical tape a makeshift fix until I can buy a new thermostat housing.
But after all this normal problems remain. Not getting any heat inside car, temp gauge doesnt move, and no matter how hot car gets the radiator fan doesnt kick in.
Also noticed the thermostat housing seems to get alot hotter than it used to. Also noticed the bottom hose coming of coolant reservoir was cool for along time.
I tried to bleed the system thinking maybe it still had trapped air inside after being flushed. Left the car to idle for about 15-20mins and all that happened was the coolant looked like it started to bubble coming out of the reservoir. The fan still never kicked in.
Unsure if it was bleeding it, or if the coolant was just boiling. Only at this point did the bottom radiator hose get warm.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 21, 2013, 10:21 AM
Post #13 of 13
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Re: Car heating/fan problems and other bits
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Mostly general comments on this: Cooling system was that rusty and took so long to run clearish you put it suggests there could still be lots of crud that really won't flush out well or perhaps at all. Heater core should have shown it can flow thru if you flushed it properly.
Once thermostat is back in it's a plug to purge out air for refilling. A real issue/problem on some and some just will not cooperate without vacuum filling or would have to look at other ways. You can't count on the recovery tank to draw back and purge a system of air. If the pressure cap is on that tank or radiator it too must be good. Hold pressure as expansion of heat happens and allow coolant to return to the engine when it shrinks when cooling. Just leaving it running probably overheated it. Sensors could be covered with debris and slow or inoperative too for fans or gauge. They will be erratic if not in liquid.
If pressure tested (do that) and will not hold pressure (even just cold sitting there) you do need to find out where and why. Pressure testers usually come (who knows what is available and with what for you) an adaptor to test caps as well.
Careful with all of this. Overheating isn't good for anything on top of the initial problem so don't allow it because of air purging problems.
Some if you just let it warm a bit and shut down multiple time if system is intact will purge out air, draw back coolant only and other will not,
T
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