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alexlyons · 13-02-2012, 23:11

Noticed that my 2006 1.4 petrol focus is about 1.5cm down on coolant

it's pinky in the container, having never gone near coolant in a car (old polo never needed the stuff, always stayed the same) I'm not sure where to get it and whether to fill it to the max level or slightly lower etc.

In work we have blue universal coolant for the boats (diesel engines) I've a feeling its all the same but could be wrong, I have no intention of using the work stuff (which there'd be no issue with) in the car. Does the colour make a difference?

all advice appreciated

Wheelnut · 14-02-2012, 00:50

Yes, the colour does make a difference. This thread could get very bogged down in the various coolants but rather than get into that I would say that if you are doing a once-only top up and you don't know what to use, you would be better off using plain water. The dilution will be minor and won't cause a problem.

Plug · 14-02-2012, 13:32

1.5 cm isn't exactly going to make a hell of a difference if topping it up. As Wheelnut said the dilution will be minor and won't cause a problem. The leak could be the water pump or the thermostat housing. Just keep an eye on the coolant and see does it go down much.

Avns1s · 14-02-2012, 19:43

There is a clear "universal" coolant you can get in the motor factors that is compatible with all colours, made by Prestone if I recall correctly. 1.5cm is not much of a drop and unless it all dropped today, I wouldn't be getting over excited about it.

Bring it up to the max level with either the correct coloured coolant or the universal one, and monitor from there.

alexlyons · 14-02-2012, 22:50

Thanks folks, will go with water this time. I only got the car at the start of December and a mechanic friend looked at it and I rememeber him saying "all the levels are grand" and it's something I would have checked as well, so it's two months almost to the day were its gone down.

If it does go down again what should be the next action and what coolant should I use, ideally not the universal stuff if I was to start refilling it.

Wheelnut · 15-02-2012, 00:21

How far it above the MIN mark? There's really no need to top it up unless it's down to MIN. I notice that some garages seem to set the level half way between MAX and MIN and when you think about it, there's a certain logic to that. I have a Nissan and if I fill it to MAX the level will go down half way over the space of several weeks, then it will not go down any further. Maybe you don't need to top up at all, just keep it under observation for a while.

alexlyons · 15-02-2012, 08:10

It's 1.5 or 2cm below min

Wheelnut · 15-02-2012, 14:53

I misunderstood you, I thought it had dropped 1.5cm in total from MAX since you bought it. Yes you do need to top it up and you should start watching for a leak as Plug has suggested.

13-02-2012, 23:11	#1
alexlyons Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Home :) Posts: 1,946 Adverts \| Friends	Ford Focus Coolant Noticed that my 2006 1.4 petrol focus is about 1.5cm down on coolant it's pinky in the container, having never gone near coolant in a car (old polo never needed the stuff, always stayed the same) I'm not sure where to get it and whether to fill it to the max level or slightly lower etc. In work we have blue universal coolant for the boats (diesel engines) I've a feeling its all the same but could be wrong, I have no intention of using the work stuff (which there'd be no issue with) in the car. Does the colour make a difference? all advice appreciated

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14-02-2012, 00:50	#2
Wheelnut Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Out the road a bit. Posts: 517 Adverts \| Friends	Yes, the colour does make a difference. This thread could get very bogged down in the various coolants but rather than get into that I would say that if you are doing a once-only top up and you don't know what to use, you would be better off using plain water. The dilution will be minor and won't cause a problem.

14-02-2012, 13:32	#3
Plug Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,421 Adverts \| Friends	1.5 cm isn't exactly going to make a hell of a difference if topping it up. As Wheelnut said the dilution will be minor and won't cause a problem. The leak could be the water pump or the thermostat housing. Just keep an eye on the coolant and see does it go down much.

14-02-2012, 19:43	#4
Avns1s Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mayo (80m / 262ft ASL) Posts: 2,470 Adverts \| Friends	There is a clear "universal" coolant you can get in the motor factors that is compatible with all colours, made by Prestone if I recall correctly. 1.5cm is not much of a drop and unless it all dropped today, I wouldn't be getting over excited about it. Bring it up to the max level with either the correct coloured coolant or the universal one, and monitor from there.

14-02-2012, 22:50	#5
alexlyons Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Home :) Posts: 1,946 Adverts \| Friends	Thanks folks, will go with water this time. I only got the car at the start of December and a mechanic friend looked at it and I rememeber him saying "all the levels are grand" and it's something I would have checked as well, so it's two months almost to the day were its gone down. If it does go down again what should be the next action and what coolant should I use, ideally not the universal stuff if I was to start refilling it.

15-02-2012, 00:21	#6
Wheelnut Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Out the road a bit. Posts: 517 Adverts \| Friends	How far it above the MIN mark? There's really no need to top it up unless it's down to MIN. I notice that some garages seem to set the level half way between MAX and MIN and when you think about it, there's a certain logic to that. I have a Nissan and if I fill it to MAX the level will go down half way over the space of several weeks, then it will not go down any further. Maybe you don't need to top up at all, just keep it under observation for a while.

15-02-2012, 08:10	#7
alexlyons Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Home :) Posts: 1,946 Adverts \| Friends	It's 1.5 or 2cm below min

15-02-2012, 14:53	#8
Wheelnut Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Out the road a bit. Posts: 517 Adverts \| Friends	I misunderstood you, I thought it had dropped 1.5cm in total from MAX since you bought it. Yes you do need to top it up and you should start watching for a leak as Plug has suggested.