What is this liquid and where from

[gibbo1471]

Hi I have just purchased this car and noticed a leak coming from the under shield through the holes 

does any one recognise this there is a distinctive smell from it it’s like yellow 

2015 1.5tdci focus estate 

[Comares2001]

Coolant?

[Nismex]

Could it be DPF fluid, Eolys? 

[unofix]

Looks like Coolant to me 

[gibbo1471]

The coolant that’s in the car is red it’s thickish texture 

[gibbo1471]

Someone mentioned air con oil?

[Comares2001]

1 hour ago, gibbo1471 said:

The coolant that’s in the car is red it’s thickish texture 

If its Ford coolant think that year would be yellow/orange

[gibbo1471]

Don’t know was serviced by Bristol street 

[gibbo1471]

It’s coming through the front under cover at the front of the car 

[TomsFocus]

2 hours ago, gibbo1471 said:

Someone mentioned air con oil?

Yep, that looks like the fluorescent dye they put in AC systems to spot leaks.  Does your AC work?

[TomsFocus]

4 hours ago, Nismex said:

Could it be DPF fluid, Eolys? 

Eolys is really dark black...looks like you've run over a squid if that leaks!  

(It's also not used on Fords since around 2009  )

[gibbo1471]

Hi it was regassed on Thursday before I bought it as it wasn’t cold coming out 

[gibbo1471]

[unofix]

Your A/C sytem is leaking. By next weekend your A/C will be as warm as toast. 🙁

[gibbo1471]

I’ve booked it in under warranty on Wednesday so will just leave it with them prob explains why it was not cold when I test drove it prob leaking before 

[gibbo1471]

I’ve booked it in under warranty on Wednesday so will just leave it with them prob explains why it was not cold when I test drove it prob leaking before 

[TomsFocus]

1 hour ago, gibbo1471 said:

I’ve booked it in under warranty on Wednesday so will just leave it with them prob explains why it was not cold when I test drove it prob leaking before 

Very common on the Mk3 Focus sadly.  With that amount of fluid loss though, it should be easy to spot the fault!  Most likely needs the condenser (AC radiator) replaced.

[gibbo1471]

Ok see what they say any other things that are common to keep

eye out on 

[TomsFocus]

2 hours ago, gibbo1471 said:

Ok see what they say any other things that are common to keep

eye out on 

There were a couple of TSBs (recalls) on the 1.5 TDCi so it's worth checking they've been done if you haven't already.  Easy to check on ETIS.

Aside from that, they're fairly reliable tbh.  Mk3s get the odd electrical fault (check the horn works!) and they hate low battery charge but not much else.  Have seen quite a few snap springs compared to Golfs of the same age but that may be coincidence.

[gibbo1471]

What is this trouble code all about 

[TomsFocus]

8 minutes ago, gibbo1471 said:

What is this trouble code all about 

It's an old code so probably just a minor blip.  Might even be a red herring as it's generic OBD rather than Ford specific.

The NOx trap is exactly as it sounds, part of the exhaust designed to trap and burn off NOx instead of releasing it from the tailpipe (similar to a DPF for particulates or cat for CO).  It's an alternative to AdBlue.

[gibbo1471]

It’s going in for this tomorrow if that’s any reason why 

[gibbo1471]

Is this the problem then possibly 

[TomsFocus]

22 minutes ago, gibbo1471 said:

Is this the problem then possibly 

Not directly.  But the desulphurisation TSB is a PCM alteration (remap) which might include an adjustment in the NOx mapping too.  I haven't seen anyone else getting the NOx trap code so can't advise any further, I would assume it was just a glitch rather than an ongoing problem.

[gibbo1471]

Gone in today looked at the leak it’s the compressor leaking they have said so they changing it under warranty