Adding coolant/d.water?

[alphasparky353]

I have a 2015 2.0 ecoboost escape and over the last three and a half years I have added about 16 oz of distilled water to keep it topped up . My plan is to now add full strength coolant for the next period of time to keep it in a good ratio. Good plan or?

90k km ( 55k miles )

 

[krismoriah72]

Shouldnt have to add water/coolant..its a sealed system.. here is a TSB for your vehicle..

3/30/2018 6275 - 2015-2018 Various Vehicles - 2.0L EcoBoost - Engine Runs Rough With Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 And/Or P0316
Some 2015-2018 Fusion/MKZ/MKC/Escape/Edge vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a runs rough condition with DTCs P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P0316. This may be due to coolant intrusion due to corrosion on the engine block. To diagnose this concern, with the engine at normal operating temperature, pressurize the cooling system to 138 kPa (20 psi) and hold for 5 hours. If the coolant pressure drops 27.57 kPa (4psi), remove the spark plugs and inspect for coolant in the cylinders. If coolant is found in any of the cylinders, replace the engine long block assembly. Follow normal prior approval process for your Dealership. However, follow the diagnostic repair procedure in this article to determine correct repair. For claiming, use causal part 6006 and applicable labor operations in Section 6 of the SLTS Manual.

 

[Donald]

The coolant is a pretty closed system. None should be needed. Although the "cold" coolant level at 0F and 80F (winter and summer) will be a little different due to expansion.

So if you are loosing coolant, then you need to have it addressed.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Originally Posted by alphasparky353
I have a 2015 2.0 ecoboost escape and over the last three and a half years I have added about 16 oz of distilled water to keep it topped up . My plan is to now add full strength coolant for the next period of time to keep it in a good ratio. Good plan or?

90k km ( 55k miles )


I think I understand your question. Yes, if you added water one time, add straight coolant the next. In the future you should mix up some 50/50 water and coolant to add, or buy pre-mixed coolant which is more money but convenient. The other posters are concerned you have to add and rightly so. Look for seeps anywhere there is a gasket like at the thermostat housing and check for cracks especially in the plastic over flow tank. Let's hope it's just a seep somewhere.

 

[E150GT]

They say coolant is a closed system but all 3 of my Mazdas since 2009 have required periodic top offs. My truck requires a periodic top off too.

 

[alphasparky353]

Thanks everyone. I have no drivability issues and wonder if I'll be ok. I mean 16 oz in 55k is so little, closed system or not.

 

[Rand]

All 3 subarus ended up needing 4-8oz yearly for each vehicle.

The jeeps have the pressurized overflow.. and I didnt have to add to the 2017 in 20000 miles, the 2019 is too new to tell.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

It's not a "closed" system. The radiator cap is a two-way pressure activated valve. Coolant expansion has to go somewhere. The water component of the coolant can evaporate to atmosphere from the overflow tank, which is also open to atmosphere.

 

[alphasparky353]

It is indeed a pressurized system including the overflow.

 

[HowAboutThis]

It evaporates. Like anything. It's not an air tight seal in the overflow tank. Just like brakes, air gets in over time. On a new car, I would be anal about mixing before topping off. On my wife's 2005 on the other hand, I add water one time, coolant the next, then water, then forget which I added last time and add whatever, then something else, then at this point it's been about 50-60k miles so I drain and refill.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Originally Posted by Yah-Tah-Hey
It's not a "closed" system. The radiator cap is a two-way pressure activated valve. Coolant expansion has to go somewhere. The water component of the coolant can evaporate to atmosphere from the overflow tank, which is also open to atmosphere.


Hey Yah Tah Hey! It's a 2015 Ecoboost so probably no radiator cap and it probably has a sealed overflow tank. As far as I know, Ford got rid of radiator caps and sealed the tanks with O rings over 12 years ago.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Originally Posted by Snagglefoot
Originally Posted by Yah-Tah-Hey
It's not a "closed" system. The radiator cap is a two-way pressure activated valve. Coolant expansion has to go somewhere. The water component of the coolant can evaporate to atmosphere from the overflow tank, which is also open to atmosphere.


Hey Yah Tah Hey! It's a 2015 Ecoboost so probably no radiator cap and it probably has a sealed overflow tank. As far as I know, Ford got rid of radiator caps and sealed the tanks with O rings over 12 years ago.
Thank you for the input Snagglefoot.