Hello everybody, let me start by saying that I'm no mechanic, and only know what others tell me about cars.

We've got a 95 Ford Escort with 190+KM. The other day I brought it in to have the heater looked at ( it was only barely blowing warm air on High ). They cleaned the fan resistor and it was working fine after that. While they were checking that out, a pressure test was done and a pinhole leak was found in the head gasket ( that's what they told me anyways ). Rather than change it, they said to put leak sealer in ( quick fix ). Drove away happy. Got about 5 Km away from the garage and the fan on high again was blowing ice cold. Turned around and went back. Cleaned resistor again, everything seemed fine.

One week later ( we don't drive much 15Km total for the week ) we were going to town, the weather was nice, shut off the heat, immediately started to overheat. Took it back to the garage right away. They said it was the rad cap. Changed it. got about 1Km away and overheating again! Grrr! Went back. Now they say it's the head gasket.

Any thoughts?

The rad fan is working, there's no sign of foamy oil but the dipstick is usually covered with oil, today I started her up without the rad cap on and noticed about 3 bubbles in 5 min but only after it had warmed up, coolant levels are staying normal, no smoke from the exhaust or steam from engine.

Now a week after the garage, and only two days of driving and 5 days of sitting I started her up. The temp gauge stayed right where it's supposed to. Shut off the heat inside the car and it still didn't climb. I'm still worried about the head gasket, and I'm thinking of attempting to change it myself. I've already ordered Haynes and Chilton's for the 95 ford escort. Is this something a beginner can do? I'm no mechanic, but I did help a buddy change the tranny in his truck. We got that running again.


Thanks a ton,
Patrick Pond

When you get your haynes or chiltons maual, go over the procedure a few times before you begin work.
Make sure you have all the tools you will need as well as your replacement parts. Gaskets ,new head bolts etc.Keep the book open and near you as you do the work so you can reread something as often as needed. Follow the step by step instructions to the letter and examine the illustrations often and you'll do fine.It would be worth it to have your head pressure tested and checked to make sure it's flat before you reinstal it. Hope this helps...

Hey, thanks for the vote of confidence! I think I will attempt it. I am also going to have the head checked by a local machine shop in case it needs to be re-surfaced, or replaced. Is this a job that can be done by a beginner? We're not really in need of this car, but we want to keep it. We just don't want to pay $1500 for a shop to do the work.

patpond,
From your description it sounds like a thermostat may be sticking. The symptoms don't point to a head gasket.

Alvin

I would'nt replace the head gasket quite yet.
First thing you should do is replace the thermostat because it's cheap and easy, while your doing that back flush your heater core. Then replace with new coolent that's mixed 50/50 with water.

That "resister cleaning" sounds fishy.

Before you go and tear your car apart. You can do your own cheap home pressure test.
Grab a spry bottle and fill it with a soapy mixture. Use a little bit of car wash soap (about a cap full) and fill the rest with water. Start your engine and spray a small amount around the head. If any bubbles start to appear you know you have a leek.

Be careful not to spray on sensitive areas like your alternatior and starter.

If not then it my be your thermostat. If it is I suggest you get a performance one put in. It may cost more but they are more accurate and will last a very long time, if you don't drive the snot out of your car.

Thanks everyone! I'm going to give the cheap gasket test a try. I should let everybody know, I haven't driven the car since I posted my first message here. I started it only a couple of times to warm her up within about 3 weeks. The other day I decided to give it a try, and took her for a spin.

I let it warm up for about 20 min. ( it was cold out ). I noticed the temp was only about 1/3 of the way from C. That has always been the normal position for our car. I then decided to try letting her run without the heater on. So I shut it off and kept a close eye on the temp. Nothing. I checked under the hood for any fluid. Nothing. I did do a check of the rad for any air bubbles about 2 weeks ago. Saw a couple. Checked the exhaust for any white/blue smoke. Nothing. Checked for any burning fluid smell ( oil, antifreeze etc. ) Nothing.

So, I went for it. I didn't take it far, but the temp never climbed. It got to just a little below half-way.

Could it have been the leak sealer they put in the car working through?

Any ideas would help tons! I wouldn't want to get into a head gasket job if I don't need to.

Thanks!

A head gasket leak is almost always internal leaks between oil ports, cylinders, and water ports, this "cheap" head gasket test more than likely isnt going to do you any good.

Change your thermo, flush your coolant system, and report back with your findings, we'll help you out.

Thanks for the help everyone! Turns out it was the radiator. There was a huge blockage and had to be replaced. She's working fine now, besides a rough idle. That can be expected at 194 000km though.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the help everyone! Turns out it was the radiator. There was a huge blockage and had to be replaced. She's working fine now, besides a rough idle. That can be expected at 194 000km though.

Thanks again!
Your heater core is clogged with the quick fix you used. Since the temp gauge is in the heater hose, you are not getting flow and consequently no temperature reading -- even tho the engine is warm. Need to take it to a radiator shop and have them pressure clean the heater core and the whole system. You will then get good coolant flow and a temp reading. See my thread on an overcooling problem. This was a hard lesson for me. Could be the thermostat but I seriously doubt it. Good luck!