Mondeo Cooling System problem

[derekpara]

Mondeo 'W' reg 2ltr Auto (petrol).

After a fairly lengthy journey with my my coolant bottle to the maximum mark I switch off and park. A few minutes later there is a pool of coolant under the vehicle on the opposite side to the coolant bottle. On inspection, the coolant has gone down, but the bottle is not completely empty.

I have had the car for ten years and this has only recently started to happen. What could be causing the problem and how should I deal with it ? And please don't tell me to take it to a main dealer.

Cheers.

[derekpara]

I forgot to add that there are no leaking pipes, connections etc and the radiator was replaced two years ago.

[Clanad]

Is your car equipped with airconditioning? If so, was it running before you noticed the "leakage" under the car? Condensing water running out of the airconditioner area is not uncommon, in fact, to be expected.

If, on the other hand, that's not the problem... check your exhaust color on start up.. Could be you have a broken head gasket allowing coolant into one or more of the cylinders. If that's the case, there'll be a tell-tale puff of grey to white smoke on start up.

I'm in the U.S. so I'm assuming most cars are relatively the same, regardless of country of origin...

[derekpara]

Thanks, Clanad. It has air-con but this was not in use. Never noticed white exhaust on start-up either. Wondering if it could be an air lock in the system.

D

[AlBags]

Check for leaks from all cooling hoses.
Look for where the leak is coming from.
Top up resevoir to max mark when warm or cold .. and leave it.

They're the first things to do.

[derekpara]

AlBags. I've found the leak; it's coming from a hosed housing on the right of the engine block as you look at the Mondeo from the front. Not sure whether this is the water pump or thermostat housing. The Mondeo is a four cylinder petrol.

[AlBags]

Can't remember layout .. only ST24.
I think this will be thermo block.
Problem 'could' be corrosion between hose and connection stub (alloy)
or a gasket .. or at worst a crack in housing (highly unlikely) or a pinhole near swollen hose end.
Drain down enough to check by pulling hoses, and check for bad connections.
If pinhole, you 'might' have enough hose to retrim last 1-1/2" and refit. Use new flat hose clips .. or the spring steel ones.

[derekpara]

Thank a lot, mate.

Cheers.

D

[derekpara]

Albags. For you information, it was the thermostat housing that had distorted due to 10 years of temperature fluctuation and the rubber seal had also broken. The whole thing is only hard plastic. My local garage changed it for £114. ( £84 main dealer part and the rest labour)

Cheers

D