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Much obliged to you both.
Funny, but whilst I'm always very careful to use the right oil, I've usually been far less than conscientious when it comes to choosing antifreeze.
Sounds like draining the system and refilling anew with exactly the right stuff is going to be the best option.
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I use the Vauxhall long life antifreeze in my Astra and Focus.I you want to keep to the Ford product,take a look herewww.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Ford-Super-Plus-Premium...L
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Thanks again.
Just had a look at some forum comments and at one or two Youtube tutorials online. There are suggestions that the Focus cooling system is prone to develop airlocks if you fiddle with it, although admittedly most of that comment relates to the Mk1.
Its a long time since I last emptied and refilled a cooling system--it was probably on a Ford Escort Mk2--and although I know the procedure is fairly straightforward, I'd appreciate any tips or advice before I actually start the job.
Cheers.
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I think your biggest challenge will be draining the system.Access to any hose is very limited and you will need a special hose clip tool to make the job a little easier.
www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-VS166-Clamp-Pliers-Norma/d...2
Why not let your local garage do the job?Save the hassle.
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I do like a challenge, although the biggest hindrance to my DIY servicing aspirations (apart from a lack of experience) is that we live on a steep hill, and I don't currently have access to a level hardstanding.
So yes, I might consider using a garage for this one.
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There are suggestions that the Focus cooling system is prone to develop airlocks if you fiddle with it, although admittedly most of that comment relates to the Mk1.
So why bother? By refilling with waterbased liquid you will be introducing lots of fresh oxygen which, depite the much-trumpeted anticorrosion properties of the pink stuff, can't be a good thing.
In the past 12yrs I have never had to top up our 16yr old 112,000m Focus. It still looks as pink and clear as a gin & it. It's been hovering around the minimum mark for ages, so I at last added a measured 200mls from our garden water butt the other week.
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Well it took 2 days but in the end you have trotted out the same old crap yet again John F !
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Well it took 2 days but in the end you have trotted out the same old crap yet again John F !
This is just insultng and I have reported it as being offensive. By all means argue cogently against my intelligent opinions but do not be rude. Incidentally, I recently put a sample of my ever-so-now diluted coolant together with a thermometer in my ice tray. At minus 12C it remains liquid.
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Well it took 2 days but in the end you have trotted out the same old crap yet again John F !
This is just insultng and I have reported it as being offensive. By all means argue cogently against my intelligent opinions but do not be rude. Incidentally, I recently put a sample of my ever-so-now diluted coolant together with a thermometer in my ice tray. At minus 12C it remains liquid.
Like has been said on here more times than I care to count, it is not the antifreeze quality of the coolant that is the problem. It is the anti corrosion inhibitors that do wear out over time.
I've removed waterpumps from cars that have never had a coolant change and are overheating to find the steel pump impellor is all but gone due to corrosion.
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Agreed: Andyp, that was needlessly offensive. Next time contribute something positive to the discussion.
Yiou must have a better class of water butt than ours, John: I don't think the car would fancy some of the gunge in there any more than I would!
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Yiou must have a better class of water butt than ours, John: I don't think the car would fancy some of the gunge in there any more than I would!
Thanks, Avant. I do clean my butt annually ;) and the tap is a good few inches above the gunge. On a dry day, all particles have either sunk or floated. And it is a slate roof, so no concrete contamination and certainly no corrosive chemicals as found in mains tap water.
I had a good lol at the comment about corroded steel impellors! The coolant would have long since turned from pink to the ferrous oxide orange one used to see 50yrs ago if that were the case. It's cheap plastic impellors that are the problem these days.
It seems folk don't realise that you need the oxygen in the air and water for corrosion to take place. Once it has been used up, corrosion will cease. There is virtually no air exchange in the expansion tank, it merely expands and contracts between the max and min marks according to the temperature and pressure. That is why my 16yr old pink coolant is still perfectly satisfactory.
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I had a good lol at the comment about corroded steel impellors!
Honestly, I can't believe how you dismiss this FACT when mostly what you write on this forum is ridiculous and often downright dangerous advice.
If you wish to neglect your cars or to carry out dangerous working practices, that is upto you but, please do not advise others to do the same as it might cause them financial loss or injury.
I often laugh at you ridiculous claims of your "well serviced cars" because JohnF, That refers to the fact you have actually done some servicing to them but, according to what you write you do nothing apart from occasional fluid level checks and top ups.
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If you wish to neglect your cars.......
.......according to what you write you do nothing apart from occasional fluid level checks and top ups.
I take great care of our cars - that's why they last for so long and have cost so little to maintain and repair. I do indeed do as little as necessary, but yesterday I replaced the front pads on my 36yr old 'unrestored' TR7, one of which was down to its last millimeter thickness.
Perhaps you should read what I write more carefully, Wackyracer.
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Perhaps you should read what I write more carefully, Wackyracer.
I'd rather not read any of your posts but, unfortunately this forum does not appear to have the ignore facility.
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Gentlemen, gentlemen, please. I'm dismayed that my innocent post has become the catalyst for so much unrest. :0(
My antifreeze is also pink and clear, but the level isn't what it might be, and its only going in one direction. I suppose I have two choices: stick a bit more of the same Ford fluid in the expansion tank to top up the level, or empty and start again with a compatible product.
I've more or less decided that I'd quite like to take the second option and have a go at changing the coolant altogether, and if air DOES get in during the refilling procedure then surely there must be a way of getting it out again?
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The coolant bleeding procedure is fairly easy on these.Once the old fluid is drained,then fill with new to max level on expansion bottle.Run engine until the coolant starts bubbling in the bottle (cap off).Turn off engine and allow the coolant to settle into the system and the level to drop.Continue this procedure until all air is removed.Make sure heater is switched to hot.You may find the cooling fan switches on sporadically until the system is bleed adequately.
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Thanks very much for that.
I suppose there's also the potential, especially if this is the first time that the coolant has been changed, for the radiator drain plug to leak when refitted.
I'll cross that bridge (and probably return to this thread to ask for suggestions) if and when I come to it.
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Sorry,radiator drain plugs went out with the Morris Marina.Circa 1970s !
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Sorry,radiator drain plugs went out with the Morris Marina.Circa 1970s !
Oh not they didn't!
1998-2004 Vauxhall Astra-G had a radiator drain plug, don't know about later models I haven't kept cars long enough since then to find out.
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Sorry,radiator drain plugs went out with the Morris Marina.Circa 1970s !
Oh not they didn't!
1998-2004 Vauxhall Astra-G had a radiator drain plug, don't know about later models I haven't kept cars long enough since then to find out.
My1998 Ford Escort has a radiator drain plug with a very handy captive device
Still used once every three years.
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My 2007 Saab 9-3 has a rad drain point. And a block drain point. Very useful
True that lots of cars don't though.
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My antifreeze is also pink and clear, but the level isn't what it might be, and its only going in one direction. I suppose I have two choices: stick a bit more of the same Ford fluid in the expansion tank to top up the level, or empty and start again with a compatible product.
You have a third choice, the one I took.
However, if the level keeps dropping after a top up of a few mls of pure water you have a serious problem.
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