Overheating and coolant loss

DECLAN MCGOVERN

MEMBER
2011 FORD MONDEO
2WD
MANUAL
135,000 MILES

I have had my vehicle for six months and twice now on long journeys the engine overheats and loses power. The header tank is empty so I fill it up but an hour later the same thing happens and the tank is empty again. It only happens on long journeys could someone please help? It is really putting me off as I love the car.

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,471 POSTS

Sounds like a failing radiator or water pump. The coolant just cannot keep up with the heat generated. Using an IR thermometer to check the temperatures across the radiator would show if this were the case.

Another cause of this same issue would be a partially plugged exhaust. That traps the heat in the engine and slowly overwhelms the cooling system.
An exhaust back pressure test would show if that was the case.