Focus mk1 overheating

condra

Hi all,

Recently my 2002 Focus (Zetec) started overheating very quickly. Just to be safe, I'm not driving it at the moment because it's gotten so bad.

After only a mile or two, the fans will go on full blast, very loud, and the coolant starts boiling.

The engine temp gauge in the car also goes up into the red after just a few miles.

Coolant and oil are at almost max levels.

Any suggestions as to what might be the problem would be appreciated.
I'm not looking for a definitive answer, but even to have some suggestions would be very useful, especially if I bring it to my local mechanic, who is about 90.

Thanks

Muckie

You've come to the right guessing place.

Could be as simple as a thermostat, blocked radiator or dreaded Head Gasket failure.

Inspect the engine when cold, is their any water+oil mixed in the exspanion tank, mayo type mixture on the inside of the oil cap.

corktina

if it was a Fiesta, Id suggest the Heater Control valve would be the culprit, but I dont know if the same problem occurs on Focii. My own Focus isnt a standard one, so not much point me looking at the layout on that, but if the heater pipes on the focus run to a small control valve on the bulkhead, you could try pulling the pipes off it and joining them (with a pipe of copper pipe perhaps), thus isolating the heater. If the over-heating stopped, thats the culprit.

renofan

You are correct in not driving it. If it heats up that quickly it sounds like a blockage to me, so maybe thermostat is stuck closed, blockage in radiator or what was mention re the heater control valve. Are you sure everything is the correct level when cold? Also check expansion tank and oil cap for a mayo like substance.

condra

Thanks for all the replies.

Muckie there's no oil in the expansion tank, and the oil cap is clean as a whistle. Does that rule out anything in particular?

Corktina it's a Zetec/Ghia. I don't know whether that is standard or not.

Renofan, there may have been a bit too much coolant in the expansion tank, but not much at all, like a smidgen above the "MAX" line. A bit gurgled out when I opened it a few days ago (stupidly, when it was boiling).
The problem still persisted after that though.

So right now it sounds like it could be:
Radiator Blockage.
Thermostat problem, stuck closed.
Heater control valve.

I'll be sure to ask my mechanic to have a look at those three for starters. I'm assuming any of those problems would require a new part.

Muckie

condra wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

So right now it sounds like it could be:
Radiator Blockage.
Thermostat problem, stuck closed.
Heater control valve.

We don't want any oil mixing with water.

If its any of the above three your Focus will keep on rolling.

Not a big or costly jobs either.

Fingers crossed your mechanic will have some good news.

Keep us updated.

condra

Just to report back...

Mech figured it was a therostat problem. He swapped out the thermostat and replaced it with a bog standard 15-euro thermostat from Consort. That didn't do the trick, the car still overheated after just a couple of miles.

He took the thermostat out and now the car is not overheating, but has no thermostat.

He tells me he doesn't know what else to do, and that the car will be fine, except I won't get much warmth in the winter.

His only suggestion is that the thermostat might have to be a specific Ford brand one.

He also insists that heating the car won't be a problem in winter, once the engine gets warmed up. To be honest, I know almost nothing about the role of the coolant system, the thermostat, and what trouble I could have without a thermostat!

If I need to get something done, I think this time I'm going to some Ford guys maybe Harmonstown or Swords.

I've read on a few sites that the thermostat housing is a common issue with a Focus mk1, maybe that could be the problem.

Any thoughts on all this would be appreciated.

Most importantly, I hope the car is safe to drive with no thermostat.

the magician

You need to find a new mechanic.

Short term the car will be ok to drive without the thermostat but not ideal as it will take a long time to get up to correct operating temperature(not great for the engine ) .



The focus isn't especially hard to work on and any mechanic should be able to sort it for you. The guy you were at was a waste of time and money.

No need for main dealer. there are a few good Indy mechanics around North Dublin that should be able to sort it.

maidhc

Start by putting in the right thermostat anyway!

Nissan doctor

condra wrote: »

Just to report back...

Mech figured it was a therostat problem. He swapped out the thermostat and replaced it with a bog standard 15-euro thermostat from Consort. That didn't do the trick, the car still overheated after just a couple of miles.

He took the thermostat out and now the car is not overheating, but has no thermostat.

He tells me he doesn't know what else to do, and that the car will be fine, except I won't get much warmth in the winter.

His only suggestion is that the thermostat might have to be a specific Ford brand one.

He also insists that heating the car won't be a problem in winter, once the engine gets warmed up. To be honest, I know almost nothing about the role of the coolant system, the thermostat, and what trouble I could have without a thermostat!

If I need to get something done, I think this time I'm going to some Ford guys maybe Harmonstown or Swords.

I've read on a few sites that the thermostat housing is a common issue with a Focus mk1, maybe that could be the problem.

Any thoughts on all this would be appreciated.

Most importantly, I hope the car is safe to drive with no thermostat.

I'm speechless! I find it very doubtfull that this guy is a mechanic.

Don't drive around for any extended length of time with no thermostat and ideally don't drive at all as it may well be masking other issues.

You need to have the issue properly diagnosed before further damage is done.

condra

Thanks folks. If anyone knows a reliable mechanic on the Northside, please send me a PM.

David09

I had a massive load of grief with a similar 1.4 focus which was overheating for no known reason.

The thermostat was replaced with a spurious one which made no difference. It was then replaced by a genuine one, which again made no difference. Rad was replaced with one which was known to be a good one, in case the old one was blocked internally. No joy. Water pump was replaced too which didn't make any difference either.
We found a way of putting the instrument panel into diagnostic mode to read the live data on engine temp, just in case the pick up sender was faulty and giving stupid readings, but it was indeed overheating.
In the end, the thermostat was removed so that the car could be driven around without overheating and it is still driving fine with no ill effects.

I did a lot of investigation into this one and found that ford made a modification to the top hose arrangement to provide better coolant circulation. If you pm me your email, I might be able to dig up this info for you.

It seems that my case is identical to yours.

David09

Ah! Here we go!

Follow this link for a pdf download!

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carsforum.co.il%2Fvb%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D125979%26d%3D1220551621&ei=PEhFUPeGGsq2hQemyoCYCg&usg=AFQjCNHm0U2QiVF7pyZpKvHgBX1gR5h-7w&sig2=ZsWFJ7QWO-fAshkbwUSRkg&cad=rja


Or else google the words "ford tsb 005/2001"

condra

Cheers for that David.

The saga continues...

On the advice of my pushy dad, took it to a well known Ford garage.
Thermostat+stat housing replaced.

Took it home today.
Literally two miles down the road, gauge in red, fans full blast, coolant tank steaming hot.

So it's going back tomorrow


I asked if it could be the heater control valve, and I was told it's fine. I'll be sure to mention the top hose arrangement. It sounds like they're running out of ideas.

I don't like the idea of changing water pump, rad etc, if it doesn't solve the problem.

First time I've had this kinda trouble with any car. Very frustrating!

David09

If they used their gumption they'd have looked up the tsb and found it themselves. Seems the usual sort of thing of main dealers taking the lazy approach, doing the basics and charging for it.

I would be concerned if, after "exhaustive testing" they can't find an answer so end up running on a line of "the head gasket is blown" that will cost €xxxx.xx which is more than the car is worth. Bye bye now".

Print the pdf and bring it along to them.

If you get no joy, pm me.

condra

Ford wanted to replace the water pump, to see if it would fix the problem... and charge me another 300 euro.
They said they'd have to change the radiator if that didn't work...

I decided to take it elsewhere. It's a ten year old car, and I've already spent 360 between the two mechanics who have so far failed to fix it.
My dads 90 year old friend had a go.
Ford had their chance.
next!...

Atlas in Drumcondra quoted me around 150 for the same pump job, or 300 for the pump plus timing belt, That's HALF the price Ford quoted me, so credit where credit's due.

I'm still hoping they don't need to even do that much. I mentioned the top hose thing, and the chap duly noted it.. so fingers crossed....

The joys of motoring

George Dalton

The pump can be easily inspected once the thermostat is removed. So there should be no need to spend money on changing it without knowing for sure whether or not it is faulty.

I have seen a couple of Focus 1.4s do this exact thing before. I reckon it is the head gasket at fault.

Nissan doctor

George Dalton wrote: »

The pump can be easily inspected once the thermostat is removed. So there should be no need to spend money on changing it without knowing for sure whether or not it is faulty.

I have seen a couple of Focus 1.4s do this exact thing before. I reckon it is the head gasket at fault.

Even from the OP's description I was suspecting the HG too.

Unfortunatly confirmed this morning without having to strip anything more then the expansion bottle cap.

Good ol' main dealers:rolleyes:

Nissan doctor

You could have had much worse damage if you'd gone any longer....your timing belt tensioner was cracked and about to let go:eek:

condra

... another reason to be glad I didn't fork out 300 euro for the Ford boys to change just the water pump.

Cheers N-Doc!

George Dalton

Was that the original tensioner or had it been changed?

Nissan doctor

George Dalton wrote: »

Was that the original tensioner or had it been changed?

Original Ford tensioner and belt. The car has very low mileage so I doubt its ever been changed.

condra

Great job by N Doc & Atlas Drumcondra.
Thanks again lads.