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Is the reservoir for the water pump the white plastic container on the left of the engine with pink solution in it? It has a max line at the back and min line at the front. The level of liquid in there is way below the min level, I take it that is a bad thing? Would this suggest a water pump leak?
Yes that sounds like the correct one.
I would be getting into a workshop ASAP to have it checked - nothing worse then having an overheat over the Christmas break!
Hi,
I filled the reservoir up on Friday and today the water level looks to be exactly the same. Would that suggest that if there is a leak it is very small?
At the moment yes. However it can become a massive leak in a hurry and the LF or L3 series engine which is fitted to the mondeo doesn't like getting hot! I would still be getting checked ASAP before the Christmas break.
Totally agree with snubs05. Your mechanic has identified a water pump problem and you've had to top up the coolant, so you're running a risk of cooking the engine if you continue to use the car. Have it checked ASAP.
Yup I 100% agree, if there is any kind of leak I will take the car to get repaired immediately. However I'm not 100% convinced about the mechanic and that's why I was testing the water level to see if it went down. It's been 5 days since I filled the reservoir and the level hasn't changed at all.
My issue is that every time I take the car for a WOF it passes but there is always something else that needs done. I used to have a warranty and the mechanic knew that when I took it in for it's latest WOF and he texted me to say he'd already contacted them about the water pump repair. However that warranty has expired now and I'm faced the with the full bill and I'm starting to get a little sceptical of the mechanic's readiness to phone the warranty company.
I fully realise the implications of the engine overheating and I check the water level every time I get into the car but I also don't want to be paying $450 for a an unnecessary repair.
Well I would have thought the answer was obvious then - take it to another mechanic!
The mechanic will know what he/she is looking out for - the tell tale white staining around the water pump which indicates it is leaking.
As said before, it will start off as a very slow leak. I would be taking it to a different mechanic and let them keep it over night if needed. Let them pressure test it etc.
There's nothing much more I can add here. A cooked engine will cost a lot more than $450.
The car has been down on coolant and someone's advised you the water pump is faulty. As I've already said, if you don't trust your mechanic, take it somewhere else for a second opinion, but in my view, you need to get it checked.