Cooling system issues - Focaljet

**AtBlue5spZX3** · 10-02-2008, 01:33 AM

A few weeks ago a hose blew when I was out and about and fortunately I was able to effect an improvised fix and get me home. After that I decided I'd try to flush my coolant system and inspect all hoses and components. The manual did not help because....I could not find a radiator cap! Being lazy, I just decided to let it be.

Flash forward to this week. The car is losing copious amounts of coolant and it took me awhile to find the leak. In this case, it's a crack of sorts in a plastic valve that runs on top of the radiator right to left looking at the car, terminating near the left edge of the upper radiator. It was tough to find because when the car is hot, the leaking fluid INSTANTLY evaporates after hitting the exhaust manifold. This is having some issue with the pressurized system clearly. One night the overflow tank was bone dry and A LOT of fluid was under the car. I filled it to "max" tab and drove home. When I got home, it was COMPLETELY full and ready to overflow. When hot, and removing the cap, it makes all sorts of gurgling sounds and fluid rushes to the overflow (the only place to put fluid).

So, it seems I need to repair/replace that plastic valve thing on top. Does anyone have a part number or any input? A friend recommended repairing it, something he's well-versed in as a tech. I want to start hitting problems preemptively.

I included some pics, please forgive me for the quality, as they're taken with my blackberry and a flashlight at 2200hrs. The first, you can see roughly where the crack is oriented (not visible, on underside) at the knife's tip.

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-02-2008, 06:00 PM

I'm sorry I can't help you with the part number Sig, but that manifold went bad on me too. It split about 6 inches long across the top of the thing.

It was about 28 bucks as I recall though. Just take out the old and take it with you to Ford.

Sorry about your **** luck lately. I'm running a bit of it myself.

**AtBlue5spZX3** · 10-02-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddyzx3

Sorry about your **** luck lately. I'm running a bit of it myself.

Ha thanks buddy

10-02-2008, 01:33 AM	#1
AtBlue5spZX3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Western WA Posts: 11,540	Cooling system issues A few weeks ago a hose blew when I was out and about and fortunately I was able to effect an improvised fix and get me home. After that I decided I'd try to flush my coolant system and inspect all hoses and components. The manual did not help because....I could not find a radiator cap! Being lazy, I just decided to let it be. Flash forward to this week. The car is losing copious amounts of coolant and it took me awhile to find the leak. In this case, it's a crack of sorts in a plastic valve that runs on top of the radiator right to left looking at the car, terminating near the left edge of the upper radiator. It was tough to find because when the car is hot, the leaking fluid INSTANTLY evaporates after hitting the exhaust manifold. This is having some issue with the pressurized system clearly. One night the overflow tank was bone dry and A LOT of fluid was under the car. I filled it to "max" tab and drove home. When I got home, it was COMPLETELY full and ready to overflow. When hot, and removing the cap, it makes all sorts of gurgling sounds and fluid rushes to the overflow (the only place to put fluid). So, it seems I need to repair/replace that plastic valve thing on top. Does anyone have a part number or any input? A friend recommended repairing it, something he's well-versed in as a tech. I want to start hitting problems preemptively. I included some pics, please forgive me for the quality, as they're taken with my blackberry and a flashlight at 2200hrs. The first, you can see roughly where the crack is oriented (not visible, on underside) at the knife's tip. __________________ www.nra.org www.norml.org

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