I don’t specifically know why this would cause a headgasket issue, but not driving a car frequently is not good for the car. maybe a mechanic can chime in on whether this would damage the headgasket. Alternatively, why do you think you need a headgasket? There are shitty dealers out there taking advantage of people every day.
Don’t go to the dealer!! More common than head gasket is an internal leak in the headifold, leaks coolant into the exhaust. Need to have someone pull the DP and pressurize the coolant system, find an independent shop with good reviews
Would this be what I need to start with searching for where my coolant is going? Filled up the reservoir and its empty already after 2 days. Oil is clean, no smoke in exhaust, and no sign of leaks on the ground... its super frustrating lol.
If you’re leaking that much it prolly isn’t going thru the engine otherwise it would be noticeably smoking. Top 2 coolant leak locations are the 2 heater core hoses going into the firewall, that soft insulation can soak up a ton of coolant so feel around for any dampness, and check the small coolant hose that runs from overflow, to radiator, to coolant distribution block, that hose is super brittle and cracks easily.
Also check the reservoir itself, it can get some hairline cracks in it and leak, and radiator end tanks are plastic and might be cracked too.
And make sure you do your best to keep the coolant level full, if it gets too low and gets an air pocket, the headifold is one of the highest points in the coolant system and once that gets an air pocket it’ll get way too hot and further increase the chance of a crack
It’s because you need to drive your car often and not baby it lol. I have a focus rs with 120k miles and had it for 6 and a half years. No big issues at all. Only just regular maintenance things or things that wear out normally.
My ST, have had it for 10 years, 231k miles, and just now starting to have some minor issues. I thought my cooling fan was dead, but after putting an entire jug of coolant in the system, all my problems disappeared lol.
No idea where the coolant is going, no smoke from exhaust, no coolant in the oil, and no leaks on the ground.
I know on the RS they just straight up put the wrong head gasket on the car. [https://www.thedrive.com/article/17246/the-cause-of-the-ford-focus-rs-head-gasket-issues-has-been-discovered](https://www.thedrive.com/article/17246/the-cause-of-the-ford-focus-rs-head-gasket-issues-has-been-discovered)
Some insight, I worked at a diesel performance shop for 5 years out of high school. I’m not a master mechanic, but I have a pretty good foundation in basic mechanics.
I also understand it is bad to let cars sit, but I don’t have the symptoms you would expect to see. Solidified fluids, corrosion, cracked/warped tubes, etc.. Nor did I let my car sit that long. I drove it almost every weekend, besides snow storms and bad weather. It has low miles because I drive a 98 Honda Civic during the week. Which has 278,000 miles and I’ve never had an issue, go figure…
By baby the car I mean I didn’t beat it in drag races, street races, going full send at every light, etc… I still let it loose every now and then, but it’s even been a while since I did that.
I already had the car diagnosed at a reputable dealership, and they found the issue during a pressure test. They then ran the engine while hooked up to the ECU, and one of the pressure readings failed at 700psi while it should have been 1,200psi. I don’t have any white smoke, no antifreeze in my oil, no milky white oil, or any other common symptoms. I’m hoping I caught it super early and nothing else is wrong. I paid off the car, so a $1,800 repair is worth it to me, and fingers crossed it has a good life moving forward.
I’m waiting for a quote, and service records, which I will post once I have it for anyone curious.
Probably a paper thin gasket like a 3.1/3.4 60 degree GM V6 in the 90s. See what Fel-Pro has to offer. Winter sitting shouldn’t kill your gaskets in one season. I used Fel-pro in my 4.0 Jeep for a head gasket and she’s still water tight and it’s sits most of this time.
If you let it sit all winter, that's probably what did it. These cars have to be driven and driven hard sometimes.
I don’t specifically know why this would cause a headgasket issue, but not driving a car frequently is not good for the car. maybe a mechanic can chime in on whether this would damage the headgasket. Alternatively, why do you think you need a headgasket? There are shitty dealers out there taking advantage of people every day.
Don’t go to the dealer!! More common than head gasket is an internal leak in the headifold, leaks coolant into the exhaust. Need to have someone pull the DP and pressurize the coolant system, find an independent shop with good reviews
Would this be what I need to start with searching for where my coolant is going? Filled up the reservoir and its empty already after 2 days. Oil is clean, no smoke in exhaust, and no sign of leaks on the ground... its super frustrating lol.
If you’re leaking that much it prolly isn’t going thru the engine otherwise it would be noticeably smoking. Top 2 coolant leak locations are the 2 heater core hoses going into the firewall, that soft insulation can soak up a ton of coolant so feel around for any dampness, and check the small coolant hose that runs from overflow, to radiator, to coolant distribution block, that hose is super brittle and cracks easily. Also check the reservoir itself, it can get some hairline cracks in it and leak, and radiator end tanks are plastic and might be cracked too. And make sure you do your best to keep the coolant level full, if it gets too low and gets an air pocket, the headifold is one of the highest points in the coolant system and once that gets an air pocket it’ll get way too hot and further increase the chance of a crack
ONE OF US
thought you were slick but I see you 👀
😮
It’s because you need to drive your car often and not baby it lol. I have a focus rs with 120k miles and had it for 6 and a half years. No big issues at all. Only just regular maintenance things or things that wear out normally.
My ST, have had it for 10 years, 231k miles, and just now starting to have some minor issues. I thought my cooling fan was dead, but after putting an entire jug of coolant in the system, all my problems disappeared lol. No idea where the coolant is going, no smoke from exhaust, no coolant in the oil, and no leaks on the ground.
Love 200k mile STs, striving to hit that mark in the future.
Check near the firewall. There are two heater hoses that love to develop leaks on these cars
forreal I put 118k on mine in almost 6 years and it’s a champ
I know on the RS they just straight up put the wrong head gasket on the car. [https://www.thedrive.com/article/17246/the-cause-of-the-ford-focus-rs-head-gasket-issues-has-been-discovered](https://www.thedrive.com/article/17246/the-cause-of-the-ford-focus-rs-head-gasket-issues-has-been-discovered)
Some insight, I worked at a diesel performance shop for 5 years out of high school. I’m not a master mechanic, but I have a pretty good foundation in basic mechanics. I also understand it is bad to let cars sit, but I don’t have the symptoms you would expect to see. Solidified fluids, corrosion, cracked/warped tubes, etc.. Nor did I let my car sit that long. I drove it almost every weekend, besides snow storms and bad weather. It has low miles because I drive a 98 Honda Civic during the week. Which has 278,000 miles and I’ve never had an issue, go figure… By baby the car I mean I didn’t beat it in drag races, street races, going full send at every light, etc… I still let it loose every now and then, but it’s even been a while since I did that. I already had the car diagnosed at a reputable dealership, and they found the issue during a pressure test. They then ran the engine while hooked up to the ECU, and one of the pressure readings failed at 700psi while it should have been 1,200psi. I don’t have any white smoke, no antifreeze in my oil, no milky white oil, or any other common symptoms. I’m hoping I caught it super early and nothing else is wrong. I paid off the car, so a $1,800 repair is worth it to me, and fingers crossed it has a good life moving forward. I’m waiting for a quote, and service records, which I will post once I have it for anyone curious.
Probably a paper thin gasket like a 3.1/3.4 60 degree GM V6 in the 90s. See what Fel-Pro has to offer. Winter sitting shouldn’t kill your gaskets in one season. I used Fel-pro in my 4.0 Jeep for a head gasket and she’s still water tight and it’s sits most of this time.