2005galaxytdiauto Posted January 21, 2011 Report Posted January 21, 2011 hi and thank you for looking at my post. i have recently bought a 2005 ford galaxy tdi 115 automatic from the auction. on the way home i noticed tghe heaters were blowing freexing cold. Aware this can sometimes be linked to a head gasket problem i kept an eye on the temperature gauge but the temp remained constant at half way. i've also noticed a whining noise from the engine which gets louder when i accelerate and goes away when i release the accelerator. i have kept an eye on the oil cap and no creamy deposits there or on the dipstick, likewise no oil in the coolant resevoir. i took the car to a trusted mechanic who advised the bottom pipe? remains cold even after the car has been started for over half an hour and the coolant spits out due to high pressure when cap is removed, with engine running. he also advised the thermostat for some unknown reason has been removed from the car, obviously by a previous owner. i have noticed receipts in the paperwork showing a headgasket fitted approximately 10 months ago. Please guys any ideas??? i have no idea where to go with this. the mechanic thinks head gasket problem. he's said if i put in a thermostat it may start over heating. Quote
sparky Paul Posted January 21, 2011 Report Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) Sadly, your mechanic may be right. Thermostats are sometimes removed by the unscrupulous to mask a problem with the cooling system, often a failing headgasket or heater matrix. It sounds like the coolant system is gradually pressurising with combustion gases, you should be able to get a sniffer test done to check for combustion gases in the coolant. This would confirm head gasket failure, note that oil/coolant cross contamination is not always evident. Replacing the thermostat would increase pressure in the system and may well make the problem worse. Are you actually loosing coolant, particularly on/after long runs? Welcome to the forum, by the way.:) Edited January 21, 2011 by sparky Paul Quote
2005galaxytdiauto Posted January 21, 2011 Author Report Posted January 21, 2011 thanx! nothing that i've noticed so far. i've not had to top it up. what are the chances of it being head gasket failure when it was replaced a short while ago by a reputable garage? Quote
chrispb123456 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Posted January 21, 2011 Sadly, your mechanic may be right. Thermostats are sometimes removed by the unscrupulous to mask a problem with the cooling system, often a failing headgasket or heater matrix. It sounds like the coolant system is gradually pressurising with combustion gases, you should be able to get a sniffer test done to check for combustion gases in the coolant. This would confirm head gasket failure, note that oil/coolant cross contamination is not always evident. Replacing the thermostat would increase pressure in the system and may well make the problem worse. Are you actually loosing coolant, particularly on/after long runs? Welcome to the forum, by the way.:) thanx! nothing that i've noticed so far. i've not had to top it up. what are the chances of it being head gasket failure when it was replaced a short while ago by a reputable garage?Totally agree with Sparky Paul, they may have replaced the head gasket but was that the only problem, diesel heads can suffer cracks or become porous.It is also known that cars that have been chipped have been known to develop cracks around valve seats.Whats the condition of the coolant, does it look brown rusty colour, is there any evidence of boiling over around the filler cap area.Water pumps on early MK2 had plastic impeller on the water pump which can shear off but don't think that applies to your year.Just hope you got it at the right price? Quote
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