I have a 2005 Mk 1 focus hatchback with just 58k on the clock. It's been an absolute dream... until today.

The Engine light and a light with an exclamation mark (warning light?) came on, and the temperature gauge went straight into the red. The car then acted as if it was about to stall, jerking and making weird noises. I had to leave it in a local car park as it's completely unmovable and I don't have breakdown cover :'(

What do you guys reckon is wrong with it? There is plenty of water in the tank and there doesn't seem to be any leaks. (I check the car quite regularly) To my knowledge, the oil in the car is still black.

I heard that these focus' need the water pump changed at the same time as the cambelt, is this true? Is it the water pump that's gone?

Thanks in advance guys and gals.

How long had you been driving?

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How long had you been driving?

Over two years. I promise I wasn't hammering it! :P

U would need read fault codes but if not loosing water pump thermostat an coolant temp sensor possible fan aswell need be checked

U would need read fault codes but if not loosing water pump thermostat an coolant temp sensor possible fan aswell need be checked

The fan is working fine, I can hear it's usual buzzing when the engine is on.

I was sort of thinking it might be something to do with the radiator... My old car had major issues and the radiator was leaking coolant. Unfortunately, I didn't know until the head gasket blew and everything else soon followed! Hopefully this won't happen again :( Expensive job.

Thanks! It makes sense. I haven't been able to get hold of a garage or mechanic that's available today as it's Sunday :/ I'll have to wait until tomorrow.

When did u have the head gasket done if u let car heat up but not overheat check all coolant pipes hot also check oil cap an dipstick for a milky substance that be water mixing wit oil

Over two years. I promise I wasn't hammering it!

I *think* he meant how long had you been driving on that particular journey. ;)

There is plenty of water in the tank and there doesn't seem to be any leaks.

Water? Or coolant? I'd check that with a coolant hydrometer - if there's only water in it, you're going to have much bigger problems in the coming weeks when the weather goes sub-zero.

To my knowledge, the oil in the car is still black.

Nothing to do with the problem but if the oil is black, it likely wants changing - fresh engine oil is almost clear. Without looking I think it's every 6k in the service schedule.

When did u have the head gasket done if u let car heat up but not overheat check all coolant pipes hot also check oil cap an dipstick for a milky substance that be water mixing wit oil

Oh, that was my old car. Not this one!

The oil is fine in it, still black. I checked that last night too!

The oil is fine in it, still black

Can I ask, what colour are you expecting the oil to go when it *isn't* OK?

I *think* he meant how long had you been driving on that particular journey. ;)

Water? Or coolant? I'd check that with a coolant hydrometer - if there's only water in it, you're going to have much bigger problems in the coming weeks when the weather goes sub-zero.Nothing to do with the problem but if the oil is black, it likely wants changing - fresh engine oil is almost clear. Without looking I think it's every 6k in the service schedule.

Oh, right! Silly me. Only a few minuets, literally a mile.

I haven't checked the coolant, that's a good point.

I'll have to moider the mechanic tomorrow about the oil! Thanks :)

Can I ask, what colour are you expecting the oil to go when it *isn't* OK?

I was told by a ford mechanic months ago that it goes either milky when it mixes with water or brown when it's used. Is this not correct?

I've had cars for nearly 20 years (some I didn't maintain at all, because they were rusty old runabouts and I didn't care as long they worked), and I have never seen brown oil, even after 20k without changing it.

For the oil to be brown, something must've got into it, which would probably mean you've got problems further up the engine - maybe this is what the Ford spanner-monkey meant? Why wait for it to get that bad??

Just change it as per the manual recommendations. Every 6k or 6 months is a good guide - more often if you do lots of short runs.

Oh, and just to clarify - black oil doesn't necessarily mean it needs changing right away. Most garages don't leave it to drain properly, so the new stuff gets mixed in with the residual old stuff, which can make it look murky almost straight away (not black, but it won't look 'clean'). I've even known some speed up the job by siphoning the old oil out through the dipstick tube with a vacuum pump which for me, is incredibly bad practice as it will leave a load of filth settled in the bottom of the sump. As I said, stick to the service schedule (or thereabouts), and change the oil straight away if it gets thick and sludgy (hold the dipstick up and see if the oil drips off the end within a few seconds).

I've had cars for nearly 20 years (some I didn't maintain at all, because they were rusty old runabouts and I didn't care as long they worked), and I have never seen brown oil, even after 20k without changing it.

For the oil to be brown, something must've got into it, which would probably mean you've got problems further up the engine - maybe this is what the Ford spanner-monkey meant? Why wait for it to get that bad??

Just change it as per the manual recommendations. Every 6k or 6 months is a good guide - more often if you do lots of short runs.

I was going to get it serviced next weekend actually, as it had been just over 6k since the last one. I had it booked in weeks ago. Thanks though.

The light with the exclamation mark - I had a Mk1 Focus for eight years up til 2 years ago and don't recall any such light, other than the brake fluid/handbrake warning light. Are you sure it's not that?

There is a a powertrain light on fords yellow light on left side of cluster u will need fault codes checked

The light with the exclamation mark - I had a Mk1 Focus for eight years up til 2 years ago and don't recall any such light, other than the brake fluid/handbrake warning light. Are you sure it's not that?

I'm very sure it's not that. The one you're on about is red, and on the right side of the dials.

The warning light that came up on mine was yellow and on the left, right above the 'check engine' warning light.

There is a a powertrain light on fords yellow light on left side of cluster u will need fault codes checked

I'm quite convinced it's this.

Hi Hanna,

How quickly do you need this solving? if you can wait, have a look at my signature for "got an error on your car", and you can get yourself a code reader. Otherwise if you need it sorting sooner, you will need a garage to have a look.

Hi Hanna,

How quickly do you need this solving? if you can wait, have a look at my signature for "got an error on your car", and you can get yourself a code reader. Otherwise if you need it sorting sooner, you will need a garage to have a look.

Hi James, I've got it sorted today thanks! :) I'll have a read quickly though, OBD and codes tend to interest me for some reason!

It turned out there was a leak... but in the thermostat holder, spewing out water! One of the bearings had gone on the cambelt pulley too which was triggering the warning lights.

So, waterpump, cambelt and oil change, new thermostat holder and a quick look over. Not as bad as I'd expected! Thank you everyone.

One of the bearings had gone on the cambelt pulley too which was triggering the warning lights.

Honestly? Never known this! Even when my Focus jumped a tooth on the timing belt I never got any warning lights, got a god awful noise though!

You sure this wasnt just a way of the garage getting you to have them change the belt?

I'd be questioning this if i were you.

Glad you got it sorted though none the less :)

I can assure u no light come on related to timing belt but u did right thing changing it due 8 years or 100k do was due how much all work cost u

Not bad at all, whats the dent in the pocket from it?