Timpg

Hi chaps, I'm in a bit of a predicament regarding a 2005 fiesta flame 1.4 petrol. I purchased the car a few months ago as a work bus, but since then it's been issue upon issue. Basically as soon as I bought it, I serviced it myself, flushed the coolant system through, changed oil, filters etc etc. I then noticed a very small coolant weap coming from the rad, passenger side corner, I weren't entirely certain it was from the rad, more like old coolant from when drained the system. There was also a whine/ squeal coming from the what I diagnosed as being the waterpump. I subsequently changed the water pump, thermostat, lambda sensor, aux belts, which seemed to solve the problems..... for a little while. I left work yesterday, got halfway home and noticed the temp gauge shot up and the rad fan was running ( note: I had my suspicions that the fan wasn't running when it should??), I pulled over straight away and turned the car off straight away and popped the bonnet to find coolant spraying out of what I believed to be the rad, but as the fan was running it was difficult to tell as it was going everywhere!!! Question is, obviously I need a new rad, but is there anything untoward that could have caused this situation i.e faulty coolant sensor?? I have suspicions as the fan only came on when the car overheated when the rad spat the coolant out. Next question is: is a rad change a simple job beings that it's got aircon?? Cheers in advance

studabear

Can't see it being anyworse a job than a water pump on that model. If you replaced the water pump yourself you should have no bother changing a rad.

Timpg

Haha! It wasn't that bad to be honest, just a bit tight to get to that's all, beings that it doesn't run off the cam belt made it a lot easier. Would you suggest that a faulty coolant temp sensor is the cause of my issues??? Am I correct in assuming I can locate this on the cylinder head? Cheers

studabear

Cylinder head temp sensor from memory is between spark plugs. If you are replacing it get a genuine ford one.

Timpg

Yea iv looked about on other forums and they mostly suggested around the cylinder head area. Others stated under the thermostat housing.

Timpg

Just took the air box off and can't find anything obvious in regards to coolant temp sensor! Also do I have to remove air con pipes in order to remove the rad, I just had a quick look and it seems it's all one unit, I may be wrong!!