My 2002 Focus Diesel 1.8 Tddi had a water pump fitted at 50k miles and now seems to be using a small amount of coolant again (two years and 27k miles later).
Is it normal for some coolant to be used? I always thought the coolant was there for 'life' until it needed changing or you actually had a leak. I can't see a leak anywhere but the usage is only about 1 litre in the last couple of months.
I'm exepecting it to be the water pump again - not that I'm impressed with the replacement lasting such a short time. Are there any other known reasons for coolant usage on this car?
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It shouldn't use any -- it's either a hose weeping causing an external loss, the headgasket or a seal in the waterpump. A failed headgasket is also likely to pressurise the cooling system, does the header tank ever boil over?
I had an Escort that was losing coolant from a loose heater hose clip where it entered the bulkhead -- took AGES to trace it, I only noticed 'cos the sound insulation on the bulkhead was still damp after a week-long dry spell one summer.
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I ran an 02 TDDi Focus up to 99k and never once had to top up the coolant.
Cheers
DP
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I thought as much - I've never had a car that used any coolant before. I can't see any evidence of the expansion tank boiling over, when I take the pressure cap off (with the engine luke warm) I get a slight 'pffft' of air but no more than I would say is normal
I can't see any obvious signs of a leak, but its slow at the moment. I suppose I'll have to wait until it gets bad enough to notice or stuff appears in the oil.
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Coolant should be changed every couple of years. It acts as a lubricant for the water pump and stops corrosian.
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Coolant should be changed every couple of years.
That would depend on whether it's long life coolant or not.
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According the Haynes manual the (orange) coolant in mine only needs changing every 10 years unless there is a leak in the system - 4 years if the coolant is blue or green
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Approx 18 months ago my Ford Focus developed coolant loss. Eventually we discovered that there is a stainless steel water jacket incorporated somewhere in the exhaust system, as part of the emmissions control. Water was leaking internally and being evaportated via the exhaust. This showed when starting the car first thing in the morning with clouds fo steam coming from the exhaust for approx. 2 minutes.
My local garage spoke to Ford, who admitted that it was a known fault with Focus's.
A new unit cost about £180.
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