Coolant Problems?

[OuterMongolia]

Just been driving my Ford Transit around the mountains of North Wales. Before I left on the long journey home I checked the coolant and oil level . I noticed the coolant level had dropped . So I topped it up with water - about a litre or so before the long journey home .I put this don`t to the steep gradients up and down . After the long journey home I checked the coolant again . I noticed the coolant water had gone from clear to a red rusty muddy brown colour and there was a lot of pressure in the coolant tank when I took the cap off . Do I have anything the worry about ?

[rikki19]

They can leak from the hose connections , pump and the drain plug assuming you don't have a hole anywhere . I would drain it , inspect the plug , hoses and reservoir itself , use a radiator flush and refill with plain water to test at temperature before refilling with red coolant . If it's a replacement ( plastic and aluminium radiator ) usually the plug and hole it threads into , are plastic and don't cope with the plug being removed several times . If the drain plug is sealing ok you might be better off removing the lower hose and emptying / flushing that way.

[ake]

What age? What engine?

[OuterMongolia]

Is a 1999 LWB 190 2.5 Engine . The water hasn`t gone a rusty brown colour ! I thought that was the case in the dark when shone my torch into the tank in the dark .But on looking in the day light of the morning.I was mistaken because the coolant has a reddish anti -freeze ! .But the water seems to be more Cloudy than normal but i can still see the bottom (of the tank ) . The mechanic doing my service said the water pump had a (slight ) leak when doing a service 2 - 3 weeks ago ! Should I get it sorted .When I got home something was dripping ono the drive way I am now thinking it was coolant as it has eveaporated !

[AndyG]

Water pump is giving you warning of retirement

When was the timing belt last changed
Maybe worth doing them together

[OuterMongolia]

Water pump is giving you warning of retirement

When was the timing belt last changed
Maybe worth doing them together

Is the water pump a big job then ?

[blue estate]

Water pump is giving you warning of retirement

When was the timing belt last changed
Maybe worth doing them together

Is the water pump a big job then ?

On a mk5 yes as you need to remove timing belt

[AndyG]

Not that big a job (depending on your skills) but access to these items means removal of the front cover of the engine

[AndyG]

I'm pretty sure the pump can be changed without having to "touch" the timing belt, but it would by now be contaminated anyway so best change it

[OuterMongolia]

I have no choice except to get it sorted otherwise the engine will be ruined I assume ? Does the contamination ruin the timing belt ?

[ake]

I have no choice except to get it sorted otherwise the engine will be ruined I assume ? Does the contamination ruin the timing belt ?

Yes

[OuterMongolia]

Strange thing is I went out in the van yesterday ,only short trips nothing more than ten miles in one go ,for about 30 miles.When I got home I didn`t see one drop come out . Though this is a lot different from a journey of 150 miles and three or four hours when I came back from North wales ,when it appeared to be leaking bad when I got home ! It is recommended to get it sorted before my trip to france and spain in november ?

[ake]

Most definately

[OuterMongolia]

Saw this on ebay I take it is the right part ?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-TRANSIT- ... 1433716112?

[ake]

Yes