2004 Ford Focus flushing the cooling system
Year: 2004
Variant: 1.8TDCI 4Dr
Categories:
Engine & Drivetrain
I have a 2004 Focus 1.8TDCI whhich I have an option to buy. I have only driven it 100 yards. When I checked for Oil & Water I found the following;
No oil registering on the Dipstick,
Rad expansion bottle blackened internally and unable to be opened by hand. I opened it with the aid of a spanner and found that it was full to the Brim with oil which overflowed as soon as I removed the cap. It looks like someone deliberately put Oil into the cooling system. There is no water showing on the Dipstick. Can anyone suggest the best way to flush the cooling system in the hope that that is the only damage sustained so far and obviously I will top up with Engine Oil before I restart the Car. What other possible damage may have been sustained to the Engine?.
No oil registering on the Dipstick,
Rad expansion bottle blackened internally and unable to be opened by hand. I opened it with the aid of a spanner and found that it was full to the Brim with oil which overflowed as soon as I removed the cap. It looks like someone deliberately put Oil into the cooling system. There is no water showing on the Dipstick. Can anyone suggest the best way to flush the cooling system in the hope that that is the only damage sustained so far and obviously I will top up with Engine Oil before I restart the Car. What other possible damage may have been sustained to the Engine?.
Posted: Mar 10, 2011 (13 years ago)
If it was me , I would walk away from that car ! ( quickly )
Posted Mar 10, 2011 (13 years ago)
Totally agree... sounds like someone has tried to sabbotage it prior to having it reposessed!
Posted Mar 10, 2011 (13 years ago)
If I buy it I will be buying at a knockdown price (which would enable me to do the Head Gasket, Flushing Cooling system a number of times, T belt & W Pump, and have the Car then costing me what is the trade value) so could you give ne some sugestions in relation to the Flushing please as I might do that portion myself.
Thank you for the info.
Thank you for the info.
Posted Mar 11, 2011 (13 years ago)
How do you know it needs a head gasket ? what about the intercooler / turbo ?
Posted Mar 11, 2011 (13 years ago)
I do not know for sure and am hopeful that it does not need it. I have just covered mysalf for the eventuality of either doing that work or perhaps fitting a s/h engine etc.
Posted Mar 11, 2011 (13 years ago)
Have you had a look at this similar problem:
This message was auto-generated based on a user suggestion.
This message was auto-generated based on a user suggestion.
Posted Mar 12, 2011 (13 years ago)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=084yI5CrjDs
This might help?
My concern would be how to get the oil out of the cooling system - not sure you could use detergent?
I take your point about getting it for a knockdown price. Might turnout to be a real bargain if you can get it sorted and the TDCi is a great engine. I bought a Corsa once for £40 cos it had no MOT and a dent in the bootlid - It passed and did 20,000 miles trouble free.
This might help?
My concern would be how to get the oil out of the cooling system - not sure you could use detergent?
I take your point about getting it for a knockdown price. Might turnout to be a real bargain if you can get it sorted and the TDCi is a great engine. I bought a Corsa once for £40 cos it had no MOT and a dent in the bootlid - It passed and did 20,000 miles trouble free.
Posted Mar 12, 2011 (13 years ago)
Rmar. Thank you for that Link. I expect I will need to flush it a number of times but that is a job I can do myself over a few days.
Posted Mar 13, 2011 (13 years ago)
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