Overheating - 99 Escort

[volfe]

I have been battling this overheating problem for far too long this summer.
History:
The car got hot going into New Orleans one fine May day.
Took the back roads to my destination and added water... lots of water.
Had a shop diagnose a leaky radiator. Price tag too high, drove it home (90 miles). Only had to refill/ it got hot in Slidell at the midway point - and home.
Had a friend change out the radiator, thermostat, radiator cap, and o-ring on the thermostat. Still hot.
Had a local shop diagnose the head gasket. Took it elsewhere due to high quote. New shop couldn't prove it was the head gasket, changed out sensors and such for the fan and cooling system.
Got it back for a week - drove it hot. Went to New Orleans and back and had to add 16 oz fluid. Hrm. Drove it there and back following weekend... had to refill about all the fluid. Took it to shop.
Head gasket.
10 days later, still running hot (they wont let me take it as reheating the head would void its guarantee).
So meanwhile, I've spent a lot and have almost every part replaced (grumble).
Radiator
4 thermostats
radiator cap
sensors for fan.
some component for the a/c

They are thinking that the fins are shut on the condenser and wont let air through to the radiator. Wednesday they are going to try to run it without the condenser... My thinking is that, it was fine like that before...

A coworker suggested the heater core, is that viable?

My mechanic is running out of ideas.
Does anyone have some suggestions for them?

Thanks for your time.
Maia

[12Ounce]

One question that needs to be answered is : "Where is the water going?"

The head gasket is one possible answer. But not the only one.

While you are seeking the answer to the above big question, I would suggest the following:

1. You should not be adding plain water to the system ... as this will cause rapid rust and further complications. Pre-mix some plastic jugs of coolant and keep them on board. Pre-mixing antifreeze can be expensive ... instead use a "water pump lubricant/protectorant" available at NAPA or other stores ... just as affective as anti-freeze during hot weather and a lot cheaper.

2. Try running with your pressure cap installed, but loose, until you isolate your problem. This eliminates any pressure gain in the coolant system. Now some engine/radiator layouts won't let you do this, but yours might be OK. IF you can run this way, it should help keep coolant in the system and avoid possibly forcing coolant into the engine oil when engine is shut down.

3. Keep observing the oil ... if any indication of coolant is there, the party is over, you've got a head gasket (or worse) issue and driving is not going to do the engine any good.

[AzTumbleweed]

Sounds like a head gasket to me. The coolant gets pushed out the reservoir overflow. There is a test that any radiator shop should be able to do. It checks for exhaust gases in the coolant. You might have that done somewhere. Was that a new radiator? I think I'd run it with the thermostat out just to see what happens. I'm curious where you are losing the coolant at.

[volfe]

my apologies I forgot to add the head gasket to the list.
It is new now and they can find no leaks but its still hot...

so...
radiator is new
thermostat is new x4
sensors for cooling
head gasket
timing belt is now new
water pump is working fine they assure me
um really I've no ideas.

What do heater cores have to do with it?
What else could it be?

Maia

[AzTumbleweed]

Is it boiling over? If not it could be the gage

[12Ounce]

If it were the heating coil, you would expect visible leaks either inside or outside the cabin.

The gage might cause false information, but would not cause water to disappear unless it itself is leaking.

I still suggest you run awhile with the cap loose.

[mightymoose_22]

Where is the water going....
1. Into the engine oil via headgasket.
2. Out the reservoir overflow.
3. Out a leak from the cooling system (hose, radiator, heater core).

1. Is there coolant in the oil?
2-3. If you sit the car at idle for awhile can you see the coolant dripping to the ground? Look to see where it comes from. If idle doesn't do it, rev it up a bit and see what happens. Check to see if the carpet on the passenger side floor is wet... if so, your core is leaking (pretend you know nothing about it and sell it).

Was the radiator new or was it repaired? Just because it is new to you does not mean it is "new".

When does it overheat? Does it take awhile or does it rise to high temp steadily? Does it pause at the normal reading for awhile and then suddenly jump up? Does the fan ever come on?

Run the car at idle for awhile and keep an eye on inisde and out... try to provide more info.

[mightymoose_22]

One last thought... when adding coolant, be sure to do it through the reservoir. If you always add into the radiator you could be creating air pockets that interrupt circulation.... not likely... but maybe...

[volfe]

I want to thank everyone for their replies

It was the head which turned into a minute crack in the block.
Now... my car is sitting in the shop with no engine, I was overcharged nearly twice the quote, I ordered an engine they told me would fit but didnt, and am deciding what legal action to take.
<grumble>

Thanks though!
Maia