Hi CTC folks. I have a question about pressure-testing a cooling system. My 23 Bronco Sport Badlands has a known issue. The water pumps fail. Anyone with a Bronco Sport lives in fear it will strike them. Some owners have had 5 water pumps, proving Ford never dealt with the underlying issue, but just puts in known-bad water pumps as replacements. My coolant is now a bit under the MIN line when checked according to the manual’s instructions. About a half inch under. I plan to have the system “pressure checked.” Could that pressure test possibly damage other things? The vehicle is 29 months young with 12K miles. Any insights are welcome. (I have a great dealer who will do the work). No visible leaks. Car has heat and temp seems about normal. Possibly a bit longer to warm up than I’d expect. Thx
When a cooling system pressure test is performed, you look at what the pressure cap reflects as the max pressure, and that’s what the system is pressurized too.
This should cause no damage to the cooling system.
Tester
I’d sell it/trade it before warranty expires. Then get a new one. No worries.
Something that’s about to let go . . . such as a weakened plastic coolant component . . . will often leak during a coolant pressure test
How much coolant is it using? Adding a small amount of coolant with every oil change is not unusual. I’d only get the system checked if you’re adding coolant every month or two.
When you ask that the cooling system be pressure tested, also ask that the pressure cap also be tested. Coolant can escape from the cooling system as a vapor when a pressure cap becomes weak.
Tester
If the dealer does the pressure test and anything fails, are those parts covered by the warranty? I’m guessing that you are under 36,000 miles.
What is the nature of the water pump failure on your 2023 Bronco Sport?
Leak from the housing, o-ring leak, etc.?
Or is it a failure related to the plastic impeller? . . . the aftermarket pumps I’m seeing also seem to use plastic impellers, fwiw
Absolutely. I put relatively few miles on my car because I often have a media vehicle to use. I bought a Ford extended warranty on this BSBL that covers me until 2031, and by then, I will have gifted it or traded it in. I love the vehicle, but it is not known for its reliability.
For sure. Yes, it is under the full warranty still.
Excellent question. I will find out.
Great advice I will take. Thanks
This is a TSB for 2021 - 2024 bronco sport
Thank you! Mine is a 2.0, but still very helpful.
The cooling system is under pressure each time the vehicle is used (except for -20 F Minnesota), you can check for leaks everyday if you want.
Pressure can be increased to a higher pressure during a pressure test, there is no point in applying the same pressure the cooling system was under when the vehicle arrived at the shop. The normal cooling system pressure is 21 psi, the system should easily be able to handle 25 psi; however, the water pump is more likely to leak during warm-up, when the pressure is lower.
A technician will briefly inspect for “active” leaks, then move on to the next vehicle, techs don’t get paid for inspections.
Most of the water pumps I replaced were during an oil change visit, the leak is usually visible before there is significant coolant loss. If the reservoir is empty during a maintenance visit, the tech should look for the reason why, it is an opportunity to earn money.
Some examples of leaking water pumps (pressure test was not necessary):
Is that from a 2GR-FE?
Yes, lots of leaking 2GR-FE water pumps.
No, a cooling system pressure test will not cause problems, it will only aid in finding the cause of the coolant loss when done properly…
Most chain and independent auto repair shops, charge for and pay their technicians for coolant pressure test, dealers have there own set of rules… We used to charge x amount for and pay the tech 0.5 hours for a basic coolant check, if the vehicle needed further time, then we asked the customer for it and charged accordingly…
Not all coolant leaks are easy to find, case in point, I had a 95ish Explorer 4.0L OHV that had a Very slow leak, finally found it after removing the valve cover, had a cracked cylinder head…
Dealers pay their technicians the amount of labor time collected from customers, but the OP has a manufacturer’s warranty. Manufactures pay a certain amount to “Test and Replace” parts, they won’t pay to test every vehicle upon request; they won’t pay service writers and techs to “fish” for repairs.
Unless you see a leak overheat, or have to add coolant to get to the level it is keeping now, I would leave it alone. I have a 2012 Toyota Camry I bought new in 2011. Some time after I bought it I notived it was about an inch below the minimum level mark. I bought a gallon of Toyota extra long life coolant and addes about a cup of coolant. Next time I checked it , it was back below the mark the same amount/ I never used any more of the coolant before the required coolant change and have not added any since and it still keeps the same low level. Never over heated or shown any bad symptons after 14r years. Don’t fix what ain’t broke.