2014 2.0 Escape Coolant Loss!

Ford Models Forum Ford Escape
1

Need some advice on what to do next, really having a hard time deciding what to do.

I have been having coolant loss on my Escape for the past little while now. No codes, No misfires, No white smoke, yet. However it is going down in the reservoir and likes to stay right around a few notches below the Min Line, before I fill it up.

I had a mechanic take a look (Not dealership) and he told me he could not find any external leaks and he believes it is internal as in leaking into engine somehow or transmission etc.

Car has 199,513ish kms, about 121k miles or so.

  1. Should I sell it while it still doesn’t have any drivability problems?

  2. Should I get a second opinion? The mechanic did not run a pressure test, he spent about 2 hours examining the rad, hoses, water pump etc and couldn’t find any leaks. Could take it to a dealership but then I’m just down $200 or so for them to tell me what I’m worried I already know.

Could use some advice, I haven’t heard about many 2.0 Escapes prior to 2017 having coolant intrusion but I am worried that this is the case.

2

Sell it if you don’t have the funds to replace the engine. This sounds like the beginning of a coolant intrusion.

3

Logan said:
Sell it if you don’t have the funds to replace the engine. This sounds like the beginning of a coolant intrusion.

While I understand the sentiment I hate to think of OP simply dumping it on some other unsuspecting person. But I don’t have a better suggestion.

4

@Austin
I wouldn’t sell it privately, more so trade it in or like a cash for cars company etc. I would feel too bad putting what could be a big problem to another person

5

Evanderjay said:
@Austin
I wouldn’t sell it privately, more so trade it in or like a cash for cars company etc. I would feel too bad putting what could be a big problem to another person

Oh I get it. Believe me I’m not judging at all. But the reality is this subreddit is filled with people who bought a used Escape at a dealer only to start experiencing issues only days or weeks later. In hindsight, it’s pretty clear the previous owner traded it knowing it had issues they didn’t want to deal with. It’s understandable though. It’s a tough call. Wishing you the best.

6

@Austin
Thanks, I think I will get a second opinion before making any decisions. Here’s to hoping it’s a separate leak that wasn’t visible with dye or a pressure test.

7

I’ve had my 2014 104000 miles for 10 years. If I break down the cost of it it’s like paying to lease a car. Every year it gets cheaper. At this point I don’t think it owes me much and I plan on driving it until it’s worthless. You’ve already got basically no trade in value on that thing and it might not be the head gasket. So I say keep driving it and don’t be an ahole like ford.

8

@Christine
This is a very good point, there is always the other option that it isn’t the head gasket. Fingers crossed

9

Evanderjay said:
@Christine
This is a very good point, there is always the other option that it isn’t the head gasket. Fingers crossed

Fingers crossed for all us Ford owners. I have read some people have had luck with a product called K-seal. Maybe that would help.

10

@Christine
Used k-seal unfortunately but, fortunately it has worked thus far. But, I’m sure I’m on borrowed time lol

11

Jonathan said:
@Christine
Used k-seal unfortunately but, fortunately it has worked thus far. But, I’m sure I’m on borrowed time lol

What engine and year does it have? Glad to hear it has worked thus far

12

@Evanderjay
2014 2.0. I did have a hairline crack on the bottom of the reservoir at first. I also flushed out the heater core. Process of elimination I guess.

13

Jonathan said:
@Evanderjay
2014 2.0. I did have a hairline crack on the bottom of the reservoir at first. I also flushed out the heater core. Process of elimination I guess.

Any other signs you could give me a heads up on? Do you think it’s leaking into the engine somehow in ur case? Or just a phantom leak somewhere that’s hard to locate

14

@Evanderjay
Some white smoke on start up for the first 10 minutes comes and goes. Has a smell that probably shouldn’t be there. Has a bit of acceleration issue and putting. That could be a separate issue. Haven’t looked into changing or pulling any spark plugs or wires. I got an transmission fault error at one point. Changed out one of the maxi fuses for that. Everything I searched pointed to head gasket type issue so that’s when I did the kseal. Just a hot mess :joy:

15

@Jonathan
Good to know thanks for the info, did u ever check any codes with a code reader?

16

Evanderjay said:
@Jonathan
Good to know thanks for the info, did u ever check any codes with a code reader?

P0301 last time I had them read

17

My 2014 needed an engine replacement for coolant intrusion at less than 60K miles. My third party warranty covered it, I was lucky.

18

Hudson said:
My 2014 needed an engine replacement for coolant intrusion at less than 60K miles. My third party warranty covered it, I was lucky.

Good thing it was covered, did you have the 1.6 or 2.0 engine?

19

No coolant on the ground at all?

20

Brandy said:
No coolant on the ground at all?

Not that I have noticed, is it possible the engine splash shield, the piece of plastic protecting the engine from water etc on the bottom, is preventing it from dripping on the floor?