hi peoeple i own a escort estate 1.6 16v zetec or a r reg and it started blowing cold air, instead of hot so i done some test's, and noticed the fan wasn't cutting in, and that the coolant pipes where filling with air, after reliesing the air from the header tank.
so then i took the return off to the header tank, and cable tierd it to the bonnet and took the thermastate out, filled the rad up with water and then bolted the thermastate back in and started the engine to bleed it through to remove the air, after doing that, i got the water flowing, but still no fans kicking in, and dosn't really feel like any water is passing past the fan switch, and just foam coming out the return pipe to the header tank, with a dirty texture to it. There is no water, in the oil, so is it a suspect weeping gasket ? any ideas or surgestions would be greatfull

many thanks glenn

 

Is there a creamy substance under the oil filler cap?

Is it losing coolant?

 

I when and got a leak test done and the solution turned yellow from the gases in the header tank.

Any idea how easy the head gasket is on one of these to do never done one on these engines before.

 

If it had turned blue that would mean you're pregnant

No more difficult than most I expect - I haven't done one myself, but have taken a Zetec's head off and it was a pig to take apart with the engine OUT.

Hopefully a Zetec expert will be along shortly with some more constructive advice.

 

i had that turn blue 8 months ago LOL only 4 weeks to go

so i guess it will be even more of a pig with the engine in

 

they aren't too bad to do, you'll want a timing kit to time it back up ideally though, i wouldnt attempt it without myself simply because A) its a bit of guesswork, and B) because you don't know how well it was timed up on previous belt changes.

 

you can time these up easy there is a marking on bottom pully to work to and just get a piece on 6mm flat bar to lock the cams off i have a pic somewhere of it

 

You're meant to use a pin through the block to time the bottom end.