@Evanderjay
Yes, I remove my splash shields since I change my own oil.
There’s several places these things sprout leaks from.
Hard part is finding them.
Possibly a small crack in the radiator end caps or somewhere else up higher, where
It could be allowing coolant to evaporate off.
My 1.6 L had SO many misfires, got those fixed only for it have the coolant intrusion not just once, but twice. The second time it happened, it cracked something with the engine and I could no longer afford to fix it and also pay my car payment. The car became one problem after another and the coolant intrusion did me in the second time. I would not invest in the vehicle and would consider getting something different. You have a reason and a right to be worried.
I’m quite literally working on a 2015 2.0 for the same issue. The mechanic believing that there’s coolant intrusion inside the engine is irrelevant. He should be using a scope camera to verify. You paid him for a diagnosis, not his beliefs.
In my case, the coolant reservoir was the issue. Once the system was pressurized, there was some hairline cracks underneath it that were leaking coolant. In addition to this, there is a heater core hose behind the engine you can’t really see that is known for leaking on these models.
The coolant intrusion issues for the 2.0 didn’t start until 2017 when Ford revised the block design. I’m not saying that that isn’t your issue, I just think it’s very unlikely given your model year and engine.
To me, it sounds like your mechanic knows that the Escape has coolant intrusion issues, and since he couldn’t easily find a leak, and just assumed that was it without going through and fully confirming it.
I would personally get a second opinion, but I also don’t want suggest you spend more money on it if there is a bigger issue. That being said, if you do get a second opinion, make sure the findings are documented so you can go back to the first mechanic with them to dispute what you were charged.
@Ramsey
Thanks for the detailed answer, given the cars age it’s definitely possible the coolant reservoir is cracked or another hose is leaking etc didn’t even think about the heater core. The mechanic charged me $60 cad so he also seemed stumped and reflected that in the price I guess.
I will take it to a more certified mechanic and spend time explaining to the situation and ask for a pressure test or possibly to dye the system to find leaks. The car runs well otherwise, and I do really like it. Really hoping it is something else causing the leak.