hi guys,

 

just bought myself a focus ghia 1.6 and noticed the coolant is on minimum, do i just put more water in to top it up to max line or leave it as it is so coolant wont over flow when running the car?

 

also i have tested the coolant and it is only good for minus 15 celcius whereas my old car was minus 40. will it be ok still? or should i flush it all out and put better coolant in?

 

many thanks guys

Ideally, the level should be roughly in the middle between min & max with a cold engine, ambient outdoor temps and parked on the flat.  I'd add a little water personally.

If you do add too much, the expansion cap will release just the right amount once pressurised anyway.  On that note though, the expansion cap may break when you try to remove it if it hasn't been opened for a while.  Common issue, replacement caps are cheap, but it can be awkward to remove the broken piece of cap.

As for the freezing point, I think you're unlikely to see temps anywhere near -15c in Cornwall.

10 hours ago, froggy8 said:

only good for minus 15 celcius whereas my old car was minus 40

Looks a bit like it has been topped up with just water before. Maybe there is a slight coolant leak. If the coolant is on minimum when cold I would leave it but check, again when cold, for a couple of weeks to see if it is leaking. You don't say how old the car is but the coolant has anti-corrosion properties so in the longer term a refill with approved coolant at the specified dilution would be best.

3 minutes ago, agraham said:

You don't say how old the car is...

many thanks guys

its is always on minimum when i let the car cool down. i will top it up later to between min and max line.

 

also the car has been serviced not long ago.

 

thanks again.

i generally aim for the split line in the moulding or just over, you should then be able to see the fluid pushing around, one way of checking the waterpumps ok.

1 hour ago, Jimpster said:

i generally aim for the split line in the moulding or just over, you should then be able to see the fluid pushing around, one way of checking the waterpumps ok.

good idea, i hope the water pump is ok, i will keep looking at the coolant tank when the car is running.

i would top it up with antifreeze