VCT losing water

Jack91 · 29-01-2015, 09:56 PM

Hi all.
Got an AU1 XR6 (VCT) losing coolant. Its dropping at the rate of the whole coolant reservoir every 5-6 days. Never used to do it. Only started after a couple of long drives over holidays.

I cant see any leaks at all. Replaced the reservoir cap. Hoses look good. Trans is fine. Not leaving any on the ground. The only thing that happened was a month or so before it started dropping I replaced the radiator after a burst with another second hand unit, but that doesnt appear to be leaking either. Ive looked when the car is cold and when its hot. Running out of patience guys, help please!!

Dinoquad · 29-01-2015, 10:06 PM

Watching this.....
My ute also got thirsty.
Did all the usual, header tank and cap, new water pump, bars leaks...
Strangle a red rooster @ midnight facing north on a full moon......

Beginning to think cracked head or head gasket after it got hot.
I'll do another compression test before I go mental.

Jack91 · 29-01-2015, 10:26 PM

Was thinking the same thing. Odd for an AU though with less than 300K.
No water in my oil though, and the motor is A1 otherwise. Didnt see any leaks around the head but I havent got the light in there around the back yet. I figured I would have seen water or the thing would start to get hot all the time now if it was that.

FOCUSonTHIS · 29-01-2015, 10:54 PM

Is there steam coming out of the exhaust pipe? If so cracked head though the exhaust side. I had this issue with my EF XR6.

Maka · 30-01-2015, 04:14 PM

Any misfiring? If so check your plugs for discolouration & fouling. Also check your heater pipes back from the firewall down. Good luck!

cheer's, Maka

mik · 31-01-2015, 07:33 PM

Around 14/15 years old head gaskets are probably at or near the end of their service life, I'm thinking head bolts might have lost a bit of tension too.

Dinoquad · 03-02-2015, 05:04 PM

Torque converter is the issue on mine.
Flow on heat results in the auto needing a rebuild.
The excess heat forces the water out.
Be fixed next week.
Simple really.
Only money!
Lol. Been thinking for ages the economy and performance, especially up hills used to be better.

"A going Ford used to be the going thing. Now one that is 15 years old has issues occasionally. It is a normal thing."

Dinoquad · 12-02-2015, 07:52 PM

So, just spend money.
I replaced the radiator on mine the day before I got the torque converter and gearbox checked.
That was a good call on both counts.

Where the aluminium radiator core meets the plastic on the ends, was where mine was intermittently loosing water. I couldn't see it until I pulled it out.
Which also explained why the bars leaks sort of worked!
Everytime the top radiator hose flexed, under load, it'd let water out
Red Devil supplied me with a copper core unit, a paltry $225 @ mates rates.

The torque converter had more rattles than Gina Rienhards kids!
The resulting heat had started the 2/4 band and some of the clutch packs to start de-laminating their coatings. Also fixed was the engine breaking module.
Lol. I never knew it ever had any engine breaking!
Big thumbs up to Brendan @ South Pine Automatics.
Really looked after me when I was down and out.

It runs so smooth now, up hill and down, and I will confidently put the slipper in without fear of overheating anymore!
One very happy Falcon owner!

Jack91 · 15-02-2015, 10:38 PM

Yep. Replaced with a new ally rad. Fixed. Leaking around top of core like yours.