Coolant tanks keep blowing?

2016 FORD FOCUS
125,000 MILES • 1.0L • 4 CYL • TURBO • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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WALLY AB
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Car keeps going through tanks. Installed aftermarket one and it went after a week.

Then got OEM one and it started leaking again from the same spot on the bottom.

Could this be a thermostat issue and is it possible to replace it without replacing the whole assembly?
Jun 16, 2024 at 4:37 PM
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STEVE W.
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If you mean the reservoirs keep failing it could simply, be they were beat up in shipping. However, it could mean that there is pressure in the system. You say they both leak in the same place, could you take a picture and post it on here so we can see the damaged area?
If it's a mounting point it could be stress, if it's a hose bib it could be the hose is moving and flexing the tank and cracking it. Seeing it might make it easier to tell. You might want to watch the engine with it running. Have someone start it, hold the brake and put it in gear and step on the throttle, the engine shouldn't move very much, but age and heat could have damaged a mount so the engine moves and flexes in ways it shouldn't.
Jun 16, 2024 at 5:50 PM
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WALLY AB
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This was the first one that came with the car. Someone JB welded it and it started leaking. I then replaced it with a Dorman one which failed after about a week and returned it. Even the OEM one I bought from ford failed around the same area.

Jun 16, 2024 at 6:09 PM
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STEVE W.
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That is the area that the turbocharger cooling return line attaches. Your engine is stock with no "upgrades" correct? Excess heat from the turbo might be a contributing factor to failure. Has the engine temperature gotten higher?
Jun 16, 2024 at 8:01 PM
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WALLY AB
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I checked with my xtool scanner I don't believe the coolant temperqature has ever gotten higher than around 105.
Jun 16, 2024 at 8:32 PM
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STEVE W.
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That should be okay. Other than heat or physical damage I don't know of anything else that would cause it to fail in that area, there isn't anything to hit it that I can think of. If the turbo is running hotter for some reason it could make that area weaker and with the baffle it could expand and crack the plastic.
Jun 16, 2024 at 9:31 PM
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WALLY AB
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I took it to the dealer; they told me there is a weep hole when it builds up pressure. I got it exchanged but I'm thinking it may be a faulty cap) I ordered another.
Jun 17, 2024 at 9:02 AM
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STEVE W.
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A bad cap would cause higher pressure but in your picture that is a failed tank, not a weep hole.
Jun 17, 2024 at 9:37 AM
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WALLY AB
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This was the original one that came with the car. I have replaced the tank three times.
Jun 17, 2024 at 10:44 AM
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STEVE W.
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The cap could be tested but replacement might be cheaper. Let us know what happens.
Jun 17, 2024 at 11:29 AM
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WALLY AB
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I replaced the cap with a motorcraft one and drove for a while on the highway temp range was from 68-91.
Jun 17, 2024 at 11:35 AM
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STRAILER
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So, is the reservoir still okay and is the problem fixed with the radiator cap?
Jun 19, 2024 at 7:29 PM
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WALLY AB
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It is for now, but I'm hoping it doesn't happen again. I did get the upper rad hose to the thermostat and it was warm after driving.
Jun 19, 2024 at 8:40 PM
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STRAILER
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Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
Jun 20, 2024 at 9:26 AM