Focus MK1 1.8 petrol - coolant query

[VR99]

Hi all,

The coolant level on my MK1 2004 focus ( 1.8 n/a petrol) seems a bit low or at least right on or.just below.min level. It's the large tank on left of engine bay with the pink colour coolant.
I don't do many miles..but want to.ensure.I don't let it drop too low.
What's the process to top up the coolant..do I need.to buy direct from.ford and can I simply.top.up.myself (with antifreeze in right portions/mix etc) or.does a mechanic need to.do it?
Thanks

[mighty kitten]

I would suggest pulling the plug leads out and checking you haven’t got a rusted core plug in the head leaking coolant

[VR99]

mighty kitten said:

I would suggest pulling the plug leads out and checking you haven’t got a rusted core plug in the head leaking coolant

Thanks for the suggestion...out of interest if that is the case how easy is the repair and ballpark figure for cost of repair at an indie?

[E-bmw]

Just top it up with a bit of (preferably) deionised water.

[VR99]

Cheers will try that.

I've also realised from reading around that trying to track the source of any potential leak can be a bit needle in the haystack....

[tapkaJohnD]

Pink coolant is a long-life version of OAT (Organic Acid Technology) antifreeze, usually yellow.

You can buy bottles of ready mixed coolant at Halfords or any other car accessory shop. Just top it up. If it's really going down fast - you can see the difference one trip makes - then you may ned to get garage advice.

John

[Coilspring]

As others have said, top it up, and keep an eye on how much it loses over time/mileage.

Then have a good look around all hose/pipe, waterway joints. A trail of pink crusty residue should be apparant at the site of any external leak.

[VR99]

Thanks guys..any idea if it's ok to top up using Preston's coolant (yellow bottle in Tesco) or should I stick with de-ionised water? I know the pink stuff is ideal but not sure IL be able to get the pink lifelong stuff before.my next trip.

[Coilspring]

VR99 said:

Thanks guys..any idea if it's ok to top up using Preston's coolant (yellow bottle in Tesco) or should I stick with de-ionised water? I know the pink stuff is ideal but not sure IL be able to get the pink lifelong stuff before.my next trip.

Don't mix, it's just ot worth it.

How much have you lost? 1 litre or less?, just use water. If continue to lose it, you will need to rectify and can then refill correctly. If still losing it, why waste it? If you don't lose anymore then you can drain and refill when you are sure, and ready.

[VR99]

Coilspring said:

VR99 said:

Thanks guys..any idea if it's ok to top up using Preston's coolant (yellow bottle in Tesco) or should I stick with de-ionised water? I know the pink stuff is ideal but not sure IL be able to get the pink lifelong stuff before.my next trip.

Don't mix, it's just ot worth it.

How much have you lost? 1 litre or less?, just use water. If continue to lose it, you will need to rectify and can then refill correctly. If still losing it, why waste it? If you don't lose anymore then you can drain and refill when you are sure, and ready.

Ok cool will use water for now. Not much ..I last topped up water mid last yr.will keep an eye too on the level.
Edit: I vaguely recall 5/6 years back maybe bit more than the car was at Kwik Fit for an MOT..they mentioned there is a potential coolant leak but that they couldn't track it down and said you can leave with us but it's tricky to find it so maybe just keep an eye....so maybe that ahem answers one of my questions. I tend to be a bit more on it now with basic car maintenance but wasn't before hence the lack of action taken.

Edited by VR99 on Sunday 5th May 13:17

[VR99]

VR99 said:

Coilspring said:

VR99 said:

Thanks guys..any idea if it's ok to top up using Preston's coolant (yellow bottle in Tesco) or should I stick with de-ionised water? I know the pink stuff is ideal but not sure IL be able to get the pink lifelong stuff before.my next trip.

Don't mix, it's just ot worth it.

How much have you lost? 1 litre or less?, just use water. If continue to lose it, you will need to rectify and can then refill correctly. If still losing it, why waste it? If you don't lose anymore then you can drain and refill when you are sure, and ready.

Ok cool will use water for now. Not much ..I last topped up water mid last yr.will keep an eye too on the level.
Edit: I vaguely recall 5/6 years back maybe bit more than the car was at Kwik Fit for an MOT..they mentioned there is a potential coolant leak but that they couldn't track it down and said you can leave with us but it's tricky to find it so maybe just keep an eye....so maybe that ahem answers one of my questions. I tend to be a bit more on it now with basic car maintenance but wasn't before hence the lack of action taken.

Edited by VR99 on Sunday 5th May 13:17

So it seems the potential coolant.leak is.worst than I thought...from.the outside.of the coolant tank it ' appeared' to be half full however that was just dried pink gunk stuck to the inside.when.i opened the lid it was near enough.empty. I filled it with the de-ionised water but seems IL have to get a.mechanic to check it out.

[mighty kitten]

Core plugs in the head and plastic stat housing are the common Leaks on these

[VR99]

mighty kitten said:

Core plugs in the head and plastic stat housing are the common Leaks on these

Ok I will have to take this to a garage as it's leaking v fast at the moment. After topping up the coolant yesterday I drove around 100-120 miles. This morning I checked and the coolant was v low already.
I topped up.with more water this morning and almost immediately as I was topping up I saw fluid leaking onto the ground from just under the area in the middle front of engine bay where you can see straight through to the ground.

[VR99]

VR99 said:

mighty kitten said:

Core plugs in the head and plastic stat housing are the common Leaks on these

Ok I will have to take this to a garage as it's leaking v fast at the moment. After topping up the coolant yesterday I drove around 100-120 miles. This morning I checked and the coolant was v low already.
I topped up.with more water this morning and almost immediately as I was topping up I saw fluid leaking onto the ground from just under the area in the middle front of engine bay where you can see straight through to the ground.
Spoke to a mechanic this morning..as he could only go by what I've seen and after having a quick inspection he suggested ordering a rad seal or something along those.lines from euro car parts because I'm looking to get rid of the car soon he.said if it's the radiator leaking then would act as a stop gap untill I get rid of the car. Any thoughts on this?

[steveo3002]

dont put rad seal in it ..it may work on tiny pin holes not when its gushing out

prob needs a rad ...wont be alot , get a used one if money is tight