Water into Engine Coolant Resevoir

Demosthenese

Folks,

water was added to my engine coolant resevoir - about a litre. I siphoned out as much clear liquid as i could but i wonder if i should get a coolant change or a flush and coolant change? Also, anyone an idea of rough cost?

Its a 02 Ford Focus if that matters

thanks.

CiniO

Demosthenese wrote: »

Folks,

water was added to my engine coolant resevoir - about a litre. I siphoned out as much clear liquid as i could but i wonder if i should get a coolant change or a flush and coolant change? Also, anyone an idea of rough cost?

Its a 02 Ford Focus if that matters

thanks.

Assuming there was proper antifreeze mix in it beforehand, with 1 litre extra water you should be grand in Irish climate.
Some people use pure water as coolant and get away with it.


On the other hand depending when last time coolant was changed, it might be a time for a change anyway. Proper antifreeze is not that expensive, and changing it might be even easier.
I'm not sure about focus, but in Mondeo it was literally matter of unscrewing a cap on the bottom of the system to drain the old coolant and filling in the new one. Driving car to reach normal temp so the system can bleed, and then top up with coolant. Very simple DIY job.

biko

I don't think it'll be an issue. After siphoning out what you could just pour in ready-mixed coolant into reservoir.

I take it the cooling system already has proper coolant mix and someone just added plain water into the expansion tank?
Do you know what coolant type is in there now?

Bigcheeze

Is having to add a litre of coolant an indication of another problem ? I've never had to add coolant to my car between services.

Demosthenese

I am not sure what was in it beforehand, i only bought it last week and there has been no issue with it until i messed with it ;(

How do i know what to add to it coolant wise considering i am unsure whats currently in it?

Thanks for the quick replies! Appreciated!

biko

For peace of mind I'd get all replaced before the frosts start.
Particularly if you don't know whether there is any coolant in there at all, or just plain water.

Google what Ford recommends and get that put in.

How to but tbh just drain and fill will work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mStP8rcczUc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuZElnMqjI0

Kenny Logins

Demosthenese wrote: »

I am not sure what was in it beforehand, i only bought it last week and there has been no issue with it until i messed with it ;(

How do i know what to add to it coolant wise considering i am unsure whats currently in it?

Thanks for the quick replies! Appreciated!

What colour is it?

coylemj

OP, you mentioned that you siphoned out clear liquid, could you see a separation between clear and coloured liquid?

grainnewhale

drain some out, taste it, if it tastes like cheap French wine, then you should have enough antifreeze in it.

Demosthenese

coylemj wrote: »

OP, you mentioned that you siphoned out clear liquid, could you see a separation between clear and coloured liquid?

It was mostly clear water that i siphoned out and from whats left there now it looks more watery than a coloured mix of 2 liquids. Makes me think that the solution is probably more water than mix. I think to be sagfe as posted above i'll go and drain it out and refill it to be sure. Better to be safe than sorry!

Thanks for all replies.