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WillH
New User
Mar 15, 2021, 10:57 AM
Post #1 of 7
(1923 views)
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Overheating Ford Focus
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2008 Ford Focus SES 118,000 miles
Once the weather warmed up I discovered an issue with my engine cooling system. I turned the heat off (which does blast really good heat) and now I am having overheating issues. While the engine was hot I checked coolant levels and they were fine, I even carefully removed the cap to find the level in there was also fine. The cap was under no pressure and the coolant was cool. I was told by a friend that it sounded like the radiator was clogged so I had it flush. I picked it up the morning and after a test found the heat still works great but once it is turned off the can begins to overheat again. I check the radiator cap again. This time it was under a little pressure but the coolant still felt cool.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 15, 2021, 1:26 PM
Post #2 of 7
(1899 views)
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Re: Overheating Ford Focus
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You cannot check coolant level in a radiator with the engine hot.
You have to get this completely filled and all the air pockets removed. We generally use a vacuum fill to accomplish this.
You also need a better description of how and when this overheats.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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WillH
New User
Mar 16, 2021, 6:10 AM
Post #3 of 7
(1859 views)
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Re: Overheating Ford Focus
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Since the over heating has started I have only taken the car on city roads. On my short 10 minute 3.5 Mile ride to work even with the heat off it will not over heat. I first discovered it while I was taking a longer drive with the heat off, still just driving city roads, stop and go traffic topping off at 45 mph. The gauge started to climb really high about 7 miles into the trip. I immediately turned the heat on and It began to pump out heat on go down. I pulled over turn the engine off and let the heat run until for a while to let it cool down. I then rode home with the heat on and had no issues. I checked the coolant levels and found the overflow tank was at the cold level so I added some coolant. I drove it for a few more days but the first time I took it on a longer trip with the heat off the temperature gauge showed it overheating again, I immediately turn the heat on and pulled over into the first parking lot. I see now it wasn't a smart idea but I did remove the radiator cap and found no pressure and coolant seemed cool. I was told that it sound like the radiator was clogged and had it flushed by Pep Boys. The 10 mile trip I ran it with the heat off and it began to over heat. I once again got it to cool by turning the heat on and once again pulled over and took the ill advised step of removing the radiator cap this time the cap. This time the was a little pressure but the coolant was still cool. Not sure the practice of flushing the coolant but the overflow tank appears to have water in it, it is clear.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 16, 2021, 6:37 AM
Post #4 of 7
(1857 views)
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Re: Overheating Ford Focus
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OK, the first thing you need to make sure of is that you are getting all the air pockets out.
If you are finding that the engine is hot and the radiator is cold, then you simply have no circulation. This can be a bad water pump, stuck thermostat or totally plugged radiator. There is always the possibility that your temp gauge is wrong and it isn't overheating at all. This needs to be verified with a laser thermometer on the block.
IF the radiator is clogged, no sort of flushing will help anything. The clogs will be crusted and will not flush. A new radiator would be the only solution.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 16, 2021, 7:59 AM
Post #5 of 7
(1839 views)
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Re: Overheating Ford Focus
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? Will, I think Hammer is spot on but confused how you are playing "heater on/off" tricks. Heater is a mini radiator so take out engine coolant heat apparently (sorry if misread) that works?
There's all the clue needed IMO. It's not enough for the radiator alone, air IMO usually heater quits if really overheating but has to be ruled out, leaved a bad t-stat (rare to me) or radiator itself isn't so rare. They wont flush out well or at all despite all the hoop-la to do so.
They are like filters for certain debris it's stuck there nothing fixes it/them.
I'd do both t-stat (even if already done) and a radiator.
That leaves proper mix of coolant, no air AND THAT FAN FOR RADIATOR in fact works.
You should be able to tell engine gauge's accuracy with a thermo in lower inside heater outlet running on low or medium (not accurite for climate controlled set ups) and add about 50F to that for engine coolant's real temp. ALL my own are about that if no climate control (lousy idea owned zillions) meaning output air temp is adjusted to not cool too much (A/C) or heat too much.
That's it, there isn't much more. If gauge is really off this is another issue to approach but need to know what I mentioned and Hammer is NOT the issue,
T
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rebuilder86
New User
Aug 5, 2021, 2:16 AM
Post #6 of 7
(1529 views)
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Re: Overheating Ford Focus
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This all kinda sounds to me like a stuck bypass style thermostat, where the thermostat recirculates coolant through the engine and heating system i beleive, until it gets to operating temp.
Anyone know if this modle uses a bypass thermostat? i know mnay modern cars do.
I am big on the air pocket bleeding also, but im not convinced in this case, there has been no evidence put forward or reason to suggest that there are air pockets. Saying that, air pockets suck, and my 2001 subaru needed perfect bleeding in order to not overheat, as did my 1970s toyota 4k engine, which woudl simply overheat if nto every singel cubic mm of air wasnt bled out!
EDIT: yeh it is a bypass type, thats my first suspicion.
(This post was edited by rebuilder86 on Aug 5, 2021, 2:20 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 5, 2021, 4:01 AM
Post #7 of 7
(1515 views)
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Re: Overheating Ford Focus
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rebuilder86
This thread is nearly 5 months old without any responses. Please do not respond to old threads.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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