Marc D

what would cause too much pressure in the coolant system on a series 2? tried replacing the header tank cap but still have lots of pressure in the pipes. burst about 4 hoses in the past year and head gasket has started to go on number 4 (down 25psi on compression test) and i only replaced it last year with genuine ford gasket and new bolts also had head skimmed slightly. running thick auto specialists silicone hoses now so they dont burst and leave me without water and the temp needle in the red like the past few times

any help appreciated

zetec-Sam

iTrader: (2)

Cracked head/block?

weegaz22

head gasket will cause it too, just needs a break from water jacket to cyl and bingo

langer

iTrader: (1)

Is your fan cutting in?

studabear

Was the cylinder head pressure tested prior to skimming?

MARKYMARKONE

iTrader: (2)

hi guys

how is the head pressure tested as mine is doing the same thing

cheers dave

studabear

The machine shop/engineers do it when the head is removed.

Any decent machine shop will pressure test the head before skimming, as there is no point skimming a head if its cracked etc.

mgtkr1

just assuming the hoses are a1 then id inspect the rad. in the past (on bikes) ive found the smallest of leakage will cause a cooling system to pressurise thus o/heat.something like a clip not tight enough. or a pin prick in the rad. have you checked the water pump/thermostat? id check all the easy/cheap things before you throw another head gasket at it. such as the stat gasket/clips ect. maybe a header tank leakk/crack. bes to rectify before you bugger another head gasket up though.

Marc D

yer was pressure checked when skimmed and was ok. radiator is a brand new airtec one. got twin fans on permanent that came with my airtec front mount ic. cars at my local tuners at the moment having the abs removed and ive spoke to them about the coolant pressure issue and they suggested head gasket or cracked head/block so they are going to do cold and hot compression test and put a pressure tester on rad expansion tank. hoping it isnt cracked head or block

Marc D

update!!
just found out the bottom end in my s2 is fooked and the tuner was suprised it still ran and pulled so well lol. compression test results were 95, 100, 125 and 80. cylinder leak down results: 78%, 70%, 45% and 80%. said number 3 is about acceptable for a worn engine but number 4 isnt doing anything. he said if it had proper compression it would blow something up. number 1, 2 and 4 piston rings are leaking into the coolant system which explains why my hoses explode and why there is so much pressure. he wants to check my head make sure it hasnt gone porous. im suprised because it runs so smoothly doesnt misfire and managed 182 bhp at 1 bar of boost and 0-60 at ford fair of 6.83 lol. bit gutted tho because in service history it says it was rebuilt by power engineering in 1997 20,000 miles ago. blueprinted bottom end, stage 3 head and there own camshaft kit. im hoping head and cam are ok so i can swop bottom end for a decent one so i should make good power with my airtec fmic, stage 3 head and power engineering cam

wedge07

Glad its sorted mate. I got told my bottom end has a slight crack in it?? :-( mines held out for last 6 months at 15psi at 206bhp lol so if it goes not sure wether to zetec the bottom end or not lol. But would prefer to keep it 1600 cvh n see what power i couls squeeze out of it! What bottom end u gonna go for next mate?

wedge07

so u reckon this is the reason y my water is always really bubbling hot??