Will not start and coolant leak

Tiny
ORIGINALBRATSTL
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD ESCORT
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
A couple weeks ago I flushed my heater core because I had barely any heat. The flush went well. I have amazing heat now. A week after that my car started leaking coolant. The light would come on telling me to add coolant, but it was not overheating. But my temperature gauge is working because it will heat up to temperature and shows me that on the gauge. I would add fluid into it, the light would go off, it would be fine for a little bit. Put some cardboard under the car and learned that yes it was definitely leaking overnight. Added fluid and was driving one day and while driving the car shut down and I pulled over to the side of the road. It would not restart even after adding fluid into it and giving it time to cool off. I had my OBD with me, so I ran it, and I received a code referencing the camshaft sensor. (I will attach a photo).
Like an idiot I deleted my codes and I've never been able to get them to read since. I had the car towed and yesterday I looked to see if I could find the leak. I saw a drip coming off of the crankshaft pulley but was unable to see above that to try to find the source. I thought it was the water pump but just now I was recalling it pulling the code when I first had it shut off on the road. So now I am at a loss as to where I should start, and money is tight, and this is my only vehicle. Thank you, thank you ahead of time for any help.
Monday, February 28th, 2022 AT 2:30 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just to be clear, you found a leak but are not sure where it is coming from, but now will it not start?

So, the engine cranks but will not start?

I doubt the coolant leak is causing no start so let's start by checking the basics on getting the engine started.

This is going to be spark, fuel, compression and here are a couple guides that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Next, we can get to the coolant leak, and we will need to pressure test the system to try and locate the leak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

If these issues are related, then we could have a head gasket issue but let's start with this info and then we can get to that, but it may show up in the compression test so if you want to start with that then that would make sense.

Thanks
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Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
ORIGINALBRATSTL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Not sure if I mentioned it but when my car first shut off and then wouldn't restart, I had my OBD with me and I read the codes and it came back a camshaft sensor malfunction. The leak when I took the tire off and was finally able to look is dripping off of the crankshaft pulley, so I know the water pump is just above that. I actually went ahead and ordered a water pump gasket belt thermostat and camshaft sensor. They should be delivered today. My theory was taking off the exhaust manifold, getting the camshaft sensor taken care of and then I guess I will tackle the water pump. Ugh
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 7:18 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Haha. I totally understand the feeling. However, it sounds like a good plan.

Please let us know how it turns out.

Thanks
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
ORIGINALBRATSTL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
So, to be safe I changed the water pump, the camshaft sensor and the thermostat. Everything's back together and it's running smoothly except for now it is smoking in front of the block from the hard line I had to take off to get the intake off.
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Saturday, March 19th, 2022 AT 11:49 AM
Tiny
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Ugh. That most likely means it is cracked.

Can you get a picture of this line and I can help identify if you need. Thanks
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Saturday, March 19th, 2022 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
ORIGINALBRATSTL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay. So, the smoke wasn't coming from that hard line and I put some ceiling on it just to be safe. I have another post going at the same time that I attached a video to. I don't know if you're able to just look at my postings, but I just replied to the other guy about what it's now doing that I drove it around for a minute. I'm looking for the nearest bridge.
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Saturday, March 19th, 2022 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Haha. Just make sure the bridge doesn't have the concrete barrier because you can't get it through those. :)

That is fine about the other post, but we are going to have to keep each post to one issue so depending on what that post is about he may tell you that it is not related, and we need to get a new one started.

I will try to find it as well. Thanks
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Sunday, March 20th, 2022 AT 6:31 AM

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