2009 WS Fiesta using a lot of coolant

[Spinner77]

Put in half a litre of coolant a fortnight ago.

Just checked, and the level was only a little above the bottom. Put in other half litre, which brought it almost to minimum mark.

I can't see any leaks. Nothing on the driveway.

Any ideas?

Engine seems to be running well. It has a three months to go before a service. Should I just keep adding coolant, or take it in now?

[Bargey]

Have you checked the dip stick to see the colour of the oil or the oil filler cap? If the oil looks milky that indicates it getting in the engine usually via the head gasket... that's not good!
Is there black water spatter marks on the driveway from water coming from the exhaust when starting up?
My advice is sooner rather than later. My daughter just paid $1200 to have fuel system on Colt completely re done, including replacing the fuel cap ($40) she lost 18 months ago, which led to the $1200 bill.
Good luck.

[mik]

6 or 7 years old imo is getting to an age when small problems show up on cars , this is a time when you need to have a very close look at your cooling system, small problems in cooling systems if left to go bad can end up costing you a lot of moola .
If anything is going to strand a motorist , it is more often than not a cooling system in poor shape,
often when services are done the engine cooling system just gets a glance over , and because a lot of the cooling system is out of sight you can still get caught out.
i agree with Bargey, get it done sooner.

[Spinner77]

Thanks, guys.

I had checked the oil. Colour and level are fine. No other sign of leakage.

No black spatter on the driveway, starting up or otherwise.

I am taking your advice and having it sent in.

[Bargey]

Originally Posted by Spinner77

Thanks, guys.

I had checked the oil. Colour and level are fine. No other sign of leakage.

No black spatter on the driveway, starting up or otherwise.

I am taking your advice and having it sent in.

Great because they indicate a big problem.

Your service guy should do a pressure test on the coolant system which will point to a/the problem.

Hopefully it will be a loose hose clamp or similar that's weeping and nothing significant or expensive.

Let us know what he finds.

[Spinner77]

Thanks, Bargey.

[Spinner77]

The cooling fan turned out to be cactus.

$700.

[Spinner77]

Lesson learned — I should have had the engine running when looking under the lid!