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2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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Boogerbearx
Novice
Aug 15, 2016, 9:22 AM
Post #1 of 11
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2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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My wife's 2010 Ford Focus has about 130,000 miles on it. It's been fairly reliable. Early last week I noticed the coolant reservoir was empty, so I replaced the coolant in it. She went on a longish trip and on the way back last thursday, she said the gauge climbed up into the red. She pulled over and the gauge slowly went back down. So we were going to take it to the shop friday,, but that same afternoon it overheated, I looked and the coolant was *again* all gone from the reservoir. When I looked in the radiator, it was down "some" but probably not more than about 12 ounces. Today the shop is telling us they can't get it to overheat and their compression test shows no leaks. They are wondering if it's a faulty gauge. I'm wondering if the empty reservoir had anything to do with it, or if it could be a slow leak or the thermostat. She needs it for work which involves long trips so naturally I'm concerned with her driving too far away in it. Any ideas, anyone? Thanks in advance.
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kev2
Veteran
Aug 15, 2016, 9:49 AM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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the fact you are adding coolant indicates there is a problem - where that coolant is going will be the diagnostics - I am the guessing 'their compression' test references a cooling system pressure test, that is a good convenient test for system integrity BUT not a through check for - cooling fans operation, thermostat - head gasket- airflow - restricted radiator.
If it is at a professional shop with proper tools I would give them some time to diagnose, post back with any questions always happy to help,
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2016, 9:52 AM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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You've found reservoir empty and radiator low plus seen gauge read in the red (hot) pretty much it really overheated.
So, where does coolant go if not seen from a leak you pressure check it and look for one. If nothing shows up or pressure doesn't drop for that test it still could be burning it slowly in engine meaning a head gasket likely and a series of check to prove that or rule it out before you need more fixed that it must need right now,
T
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Boogerbearx
Novice
Aug 15, 2016, 10:34 AM
Post #4 of 11
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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Thanks guys. I called the shop and they said they had run a "combustion" test to rule out the head gaskets last Saturday, and that today it was still holding the same of amount of pressure that it was then. I didn't think to ask about the thermostat, but they assured me the radiator had checked out and I feel something as simple as that was checked, too. They said they were still leaning towards the gauges even though I explained it had been low on coolant.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2016, 10:49 AM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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Again - it's using coolant so there is a problem. You can check t-stat is working by either just feeling it cold and go warm or an infrared thermos at the housing.
Cooling system pressure tests you pressure up the system to the rating of the radiator or pressure cap - say 15lbs and look and wait - all can done cold. It stayed put at low pressure. Now can gaskets that must control combustion pressures hold tight at mega times that pressure? Probably (inconclusive till proven) it is burning it and or adding combustion vapor back to cooling system, overheats as it's vapor and blows that out recovery tanks then when cool draws back air only after discharging the coolant.
It's actually quite common and tricky to prove. You might find one spark plug or cylinder that shows it's not the same as the other and really it should be throwing a code for something now.
You can ohm test a temp gauge but it would overheat if coolant low so I don't think worth that yet.
Test strips are used for combustion gasses in coolant or vapor but very unreliable results.
This may do nothing wrong stone cold and only at certain temps for a while until it really gets so hot if allowed you wreck more than just a gasket job and head check or refinish - they can warp too much or crack and be of no good anymore.
Worse you could ignore this and not notice and blow the engine!
Takes some time to rule things IN or OUT till enough to blame the cause.
It isn't normal,
T
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Boogerbearx
Novice
Aug 15, 2016, 11:04 AM
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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Again, thanks! Getting this (your) information REALLY means a lot.
I'm not a mechanic by any stretch even if I did once tune up my F0150, lol.
At least now I have a list of things I can quiz the shop on when I go pick it up this afternoon (e.g. what exactly kind of "combustion test" did they actually run, did they get a code of any type, etc.) I can probably pull and look at the plugs myself.
It's just worrisome right now because she needs to drive it about 130 miles tomorrow (in this heat!). I'm probably going to drive it for 40 or so miles later today and just see what happens and if the coolant in the reservoir drops any.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2016, 11:16 AM
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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Yes - it's been hot enough to bring out the weak links of cooling systems. With what you describe I like to confirm it as many ways as possible before blaming a head gasket issue that does get involved and pricey.
You might find one spark plug looks cleaner than the others or 2 or more but unlikely all even colored.
Sometime a distinct odor out tail pipe of antifreeze not necessarily smoke/steam at all.
Tests now best done while the system is intact as one apart you can't pressure test it again.
Other - you are driving this a lot of miles to have a problem underway so really matters to solve this any which way and seems fastest for you send it out to those who do this a lot - trained techs/shop equipped to do this so less down time for you.
Refresh: Yes you can be sucking in coolant at some temp and burning it then blowing vapor under pressure of combustion back into cooling system such that you keep finding it low - a strong clue of what I think is wrong already but not there nor doing tests.
Good luck. Find the right help - this isn't just any job for DIY if it comes to the whole job.
If you do check plugs yourself don't mess that up in even checking. Same plug back to same spot one at a time so no chances to mess up diagnosis down the line if that's inconclusive,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 15, 2016, 11:19 AM
Post #8 of 11
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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When they do the pressure test they do it from the pressure cap so make sure the cap itself is not the problem.
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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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Boogerbearx
Novice
Aug 15, 2016, 11:30 AM
Post #9 of 11
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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Yes, I'll definitely be pulling the plugs and replacing them one at a time!
I live in a small town so I don't have a lot of options for different shops, but these guys have always delivered in the past so my confidence level is pretty high with them. My boss' husband repairs UPS trucks for a living so I'm thinking I will also call him today. yeah, i don't want to blame this on head gaskets right now (says a a little prayer).
I'll update later when I get more information...thanks for your advice x1000!
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Boogerbearx
Novice
Aug 17, 2016, 4:58 AM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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Update: When we brought the car home monday they were still saying they could find no problem (i.e., leaks) but when I looked the reservoir was empty again. So it lost coolant while they had it yet they "couldn't find anything." I immediately took it to another mechanic who wouldn't rule out a gasket or head problem. With the cars age and mileage and the fact that my wife needs a reliable vehicle, I have bitten the bullet and traded this old girl in. I was honest and told them it ran fine but had an unexplained coolant problem. They still were generous with the trade. Thanks for the fine advice here, everyone, it was much appreciated.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 17, 2016, 6:19 AM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: 2010 Ford Focus Overheating?
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Thanks for the followup and enjoy your new car. It's not always easy to put you name on the line to blame these things if not more obvious IMO would make the tech look like a fool for making the wrong diagnosis, do that job and find it didn't fix it totally embarrassing.
Hey - need dependable car bad enough you do budget that in for newer or plain brand new periodically - many do or there wouldn't be used ones would there?
Tom
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