My fiesta lx 1242cc (2003)head gasket keeps filling up with water. I have had it pressure checked by a garage and no cracks or leaks could be found. I had everything replace (plugs etc)and it was running ok. The same thing happened again about 2 months later. The garage did the same things replaced all plugs checked for any leaks and still none can be found. I have been told that there is a known fault with fiesta lx 2003 models, something to do with the windscreen washer in the front window leaking into the engine?

louise wharton, February 2008

there is na known problem with water leaking through the windscreen washer jets where they clip into the bonet. New jets are available with a revised seal. A spot of silicone sealant works. The water drips onto the airfilter housing and tuns into the cam cover filling the spark plug recessed holes causing missfires damage to the leads,coil and in extreme cases failure of the catalytic converter. Ford ignore this manufacturing fault they have quietly modified the washer jets but wont tell you that the expensive breakdown that you have had to pay for is caused by a stupid inexpensive washer jet

Billy, August 2008

Hi, I didn't explain myself very well earlier, what has been happening is the plug holes are filling with a liquid. I am just repeating what the garage told me, as I don't know anything about car engines. At first he said there was a hole in the gasket, but after checking it he could find no cracks? I know the oil cap is clean because I check that. I have only re-filled the screenwash once since the last time it happened. I know that the plugs are sitting in liquid again as my car is missing so bad I can't drive it. I have it booked into a different garage in the morning. I have only had the car 9 months!!!

louise, February 2008

Hi Louise, when you say the head gasket fills up with water do you mean that water is collecting in between the camcover where the spark plugs sit? if that is the case it could be a hole in the washer jet tubes, if the head gasket has failed then your expansion tank would need constant topping up and if you remove the oil filler cap it will look like salad cream on the cap.

nigel, February 2008

sounds like the head gasket, sometimes cannot be found by pressure testing, never heard of windscreen washer leaking into the cylinder head ever, is ther water a sludgy white mixture if so head jasket

phil734, February 2008