HI, I HAVE BEEN SERVICING MY FORD FOCUS TDCI 1.6L 2005 MYSELF AS I AM KEEN TO PICK UP THESE BASIC SKILLS.

I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM CHANGING THE OIL, OIL FILTER, AND AIR FILTER.

MY PROBLEM IS FINDING A PLUG ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR IN WHICH TO DRAIN THE OLD COOLANT - DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THIS IS?? IF SO CAN YOU SHOW ME USING A PHOTO IF POSSIBLE? ALTHOUGH DESCRIPTION WOULD SUFFICE!

ALSO THE FUEL FILTER. ITS EASY TO ACCESS BUT THE PIPES THAT CONNECT TO IT LOOK AS THOUGH THEY JUST PULL OFF BUT IVE GAVE THEM A REALLY GOOD TUG AND HAVENT MANAGED TO GET THEM OFF..I DIDNT WANT TO FORCE THEM TOO MUCH INCASE I BROKE THEM. - IS THEIR AN EASIER WAY OF REMOVING THESE OR THE FILTER ITSELF???

IF YOU CAN ANSWER EITHER OR BOTH MY QUERIES THAT WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

THANKS GUYS!!

:D

Hi Clewsy,

You need to jack the car up or sit it on ramps, remove the undertray and then to the bottom of the radiator, unscrew the bleed valve and it will drain out (make sure you have a tray or bucket to hand to catch it!)

Changing the fuel filter-

Disconnect the water sensor plug on the top.

Undo and remove the metal shield around the filter housing.

Unplug the fuel and return pipes by pressing down on th eplastic clips with a screwdriver and plug the lines to avoid contamination.

Disconnect the fuel heater plug from the side (if fitted).

Slide the filter up from it's bracket.

The filter on the 1.6 should be a one piece unit so no need to strip further.

Fit new filter and bleed the system using a hand held vacuum pump attached to the filter outlet pipe so as to remove all air from the system.

Reconnect the pipe and turn the engine over for no more than 10 seconds, wait 30 seconds before each turn.

Once running, get the engine up to normal running temperature before turning off again to ensure correct fuel supply.

Stoney you make it sound sooo easy ;)

I do have that knack ;)

To drain the radiator you will need to remove the bottom hose, there probably isn't a drain plug

If its a one piece canister filter as mentioned above, the best thing to do with these is fill them to the max with diesel before reconnecting the pipes, you probably won't need to bleed it then - works every time for me