Coolant Change

LEK-89 · 6 Dec 2010 at 22:35

I'm thinking about doing a coolant change on my 2002 1.6 Focus as I do not have any history on when it was last done.

I have been looking into the correct stuff and I have seen the stuff Halfords offer called "Halfords Ready Mixed Anti Freeze & Coolant 2 Litres". (sorry I couldn't copy the direct link as it was too long, I'm sure if you went on the Halfords website and typed the title in, it will come up with what I'm on about) Do any of you guys know if this would be the correct stuff to use on my Focus? The current coolant in mine is the pink stuff as well.

And if so, am I required to add water when I come to do the coolant change so it's 50% antifreeze/coolant and 50% water, or would the Halfords stuff be ready pre-mixed with water as well so it's all just ready to go into the coolant tank straight from the bottle?

I have read a couple of guides on the net about the process but is it really easy as it looks? I'm still only a novice with cars but I feel that this job is something I may be capable of doing - just don't want to screw it up lol

Thanks all - Liam

[TW]Fox · 6 Dec 2010 at 22:40

Pink Ford coolant is lifetime fill and, according to Ford, does not need to be change.

At 10 years old, my Mondeo was on its original coolant without issue.

LEK-89 · 6 Dec 2010 at 22:43

[TW]Fox;17946572 said:
Pink Ford coolant is lifetime fill and, according to Ford, does not need to be change.

At 10 years old, my Mondeo was on its original coolant without issue.

Thanks - I have read up though that the pink coolant only lasts for 5 years?

I have heard too that Ford have recently replaced the pink coolant with a purple one?

Liam

[TW]Fox · 6 Dec 2010 at 22:49

Maybe my coolant was Orange? What does your service manual say?

energy · 6 Dec 2010 at 22:50

As stated, no need to change it suposedly - but no harm in doing so. Not really sure what one is supposed to do with old coolant though... not good to tip it down drains, councils tips only take oil AFAIK...?

But back to the original question, if its "ready mixed" then its... you guessed it ready mixed! Just pour it in. But definately get more than 2 litres, its going to be more like 5 litres for most cars. You don't really want to run out half way through filling up!

The process is fairly easy, some cars have a little valve at the bottom of the radiator for emptying out the coolant, others you need to pull the bottom hose out which can be tight and inevitably results in coolant splashing everywhere until you can point it into the container.

Then when you fill it up you will need to leave it running and watch the coolant as it will gradually go down and need topping up as any air comes to the top. Keep a close eye on the level and temperatures soon after as there may still be an airlock in the system somewhere.

LEK-89 · 6 Dec 2010 at 22:54

I haven't got a service manual unfortunately but all the other Ford cars with the Zetec SE engines I have came across (1.25's, 1.4's & the 1.6's) all had the pink coolant present so I am pretty sure that from Factory mine has always had the pink coolant.

Liam

Matt82 · 6 Dec 2010 at 23:03

[TW]Fox;17946572 said:
Pink Ford coolant is lifetime fill and, according to Ford, does not need to be change.

At 10 years old, my Mondeo was on its original coolant without issue.

i swear the orange stuff in the GF's old fester had a 5 year interval according to the book. i dropped and flushed hers with new orange stuff (pretty dear) but the old stuff came out "as new" by the appearance of it

Dogbreath · 7 Dec 2010 at 09:36

Even though it may look new the corrosion inhibitors do not last forever. I'm fairly sure the Ford interval is 10 years for coolant on most newer models.

dazz25 · 7 Dec 2010 at 10:01

Yep, my ST170 was 10 years according to the book and Ford have changed to a purple coolant (not sure on the difference). It will probably cost about the same to buy from Ford, it won't be pre mixed but that stuff is a rip off anyway!

EDIT: This is from the Ford service schedule for your car

Cooling system Every 10 years - Drain, flush and refill with purple Super Plus(LTS 24 122 4)

LEK-89 · 7 Dec 2010 at 11:02

Yeah I was sure that it was every 10 years with the pink & the purple stuff as well. I remember reading that Ford charge £30 for the coolant so I may just get some of the pink stuff that Halfords sell. Is it really recommended that after emptying the old coolant out that you should fill the system back up with just water and then flush it out again?

Liam

Matt82 · 7 Dec 2010 at 11:13

my normal thing is to fill the rad from the bottom hose, let it flush out the top to clean that out.

then get the stat out the engine and flush it through every direction possible, including the expansion tank and the little super important return hose.

reassemble, fill, leave it for another god-knows-how-long