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ford focus - v/slow coolant loss - drogers

My Focus (one owner from new (me)) is a 1.8 petrol January 2008 with 17,000 miles, the expansion tank over three months or so drops from max to below mimimun or under, it runs very well never overheats, someone said its head gasket another said its the core plugs - can anyone be more precise ? the Ford dealer couold not find a leak on pressure test

Thanks

Governor

Edited by drogers on 26/11/2011 at 20:14

ford focus - v/slow coolant loss - Peter.N.

If its the head gasket it will be blowing coolant out of the filler cap or overflow, check for signs of dry antifreeze around those areas. Providing it doesn't drop below the minimum level I wouldn't worry about it.

ford focus - v/slow coolant loss - bsm

My 1.6 Focus had the same symptoms. Only showed occasional fluid on ground below water pump / thermostat housing, I've replaced both now. Only slight dampness noticed through small window on pump I removed. The thermostat housing has an O ring on the right hand outlet which I think also had a small leak as I noticed antifreeze staining. The O ring on the left hand side is attached to the thermostat. Both quality parts obtained from motor factor Andrew Page at a fraction of cost of Ford parts.

Regards,

Mo.

Edited by bsm on 27/11/2011 at 13:12

ford focus - v/slow coolant loss - Roly93

We had this on our 53 plate 1.6 focus. It was the water pump gland dribbling slightly. Lived with it for a while, but eventually replaced the water pump.

ford focus - v/slow coolant loss - drogers

Thanks ladsIm not least bit mechanical myself and feel given its a slight issue I wont run out and spend money just yet, however I will monitor things and come the day I present it to a garae Ive got some solid ideas

ford focus - v/slow coolant loss - Singlish

I have a June 2007 1.8 Focus with exactly the same problem? I'm used to never topping up a sealed cooling system and so initially I was very concerned, six months later I'm more relaxed-however the car didn't use any water for the first 3 years and so somthing has changed!

Has anyone any ideas?

Regards

Andrew

ford focus - v/slow coolant loss - drogers

Just been look ing for other issues with same problem and on one page there is mnention of the plastic thermostat housinh leaking this apparently cost £140 to fix

I hope I can get by this years without this as so far Ive paid almost £2000 on problems on my 57 reg focus only 20K miles mine since new

I never expected such a high volume car to have so many resident problems on it I am thinking of poart exchanging it for an almost new Ki Ceed