Choosing which antifreeze is best to pour into Ford Focus 2

One of the main causes of cooling system malfunctions in a car is poor quality or incompatible coolant. Some car owners ignore Ford's recommendations and use antifreeze of inappropriate classes. Some drivers even use the cheapest antifreeze, which has an aggressive effect on rubber and metals, quickly decomposes and clogs the system. To avoid possible troubles, before servicing you need to find out what kind of antifreeze to fill in the Ford.

What happens if you fill with the wrong liquid?

The main reason to be careful when choosing a compatible antifreeze is that coolants can affect metals differently. Chemically aggressive compounds not intended for certain types of radiators (for example, aluminum) can cause corrosion and corrode radiator lamellas. When mixing incompatible coolants, irreversible reactions can occur, in which a jelly-like mass is formed inside the pipes, cylinder head, and pump. Because of this, the permeability of the channels deteriorates and the removal of excess heat from the engine is sharply reduced. All of these factors lead to one outcome - engine overheating. When the coolant boils, gasket breakdown, deformation of the cylinder head and damage to the thermostat can occur. In most cases, the consequences are eliminated by carrying out major repairs.

About original antifreeze

During the factory assembly of Ford Focus cars of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations, Super Plus Premium coolants are used, which are manufactured according to the standards of the American automobile manufacturer. The FF 1 car uses G11 class fluid, and subsequent modifications use G12. The compositions differ in color: yellow, green and pink. They are concentrates that, when pouring, must be diluted with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio. The original fluids that are poured into Ford Focus cars at the factory are designed for an average of 3–5 years of operation. The specific period depends on driving conditions, frequency of engine starts, condition of the cooling system and other factors. Many motorists replace the coolant without waiting for the regulatory deadlines to expire. Such preventive measures can significantly increase the service life of thermostats, water pumps, pipes and other system elements.

What antifreeze to fill in Ford Focus 2: survey

To decide what antifreeze to pour into Ford Focus 2 for replacement or topping up, you need to not just remember the appearance of the can and the color of the liquid.

As a rule, the color of antifreeze does not in any way indicate its composition, and liquid manufacturers can write whatever they want on the packaging.

It is important to pour exactly the antifreeze composition that does not contradict factory recommendations and will not lead to corrosion of the cylinder block, rapid wear of the pump or coking of the radiator

What is poured from the factory into Focus 2 radiators?

In all Ford cars, including Focus 2, which are produced in Europe and the Russian Federation, Havoline XLC carboxylate liquid is poured into the cooling system on a conveyor belt.

Initially, it is painted orange, and the abbreviation on the label means that it is a coolant with an extended service life (Extended Life Anti-Freeze Coolant).

This is a Belgian liquid produced by Arteco, a joint venture between the American Chevron and the French Total.

Such liquids are also found under the Chevron brand, but they can be produced both in Russia and in Finland, China, Spain and India.

Warning about the dangers of antifreeze on the back of the original packaging.

The liquid sold by official dealers, Ford SUPER PLUS Premium, is Havoline XLC antifreeze.

According to Ford catalogs, it goes under the number WSS-М97В44-D (this number is also a Ford specification at the same time.

Antifreezes distributed by officials are painted purple, but in composition and characteristics these liquids are absolutely identical. This means that you can safely add and dilute Ford Super Plus to Havoline conveyor antifreeze in any proportions.

How to replace the expensive Ford SUPER PLUS Premium

Original expensive antifreeze for Focus 2.

A liter of Ford concentrate costs about 350 rubles.

It is diluted in a 50/50 ratio with demineralized (distilled) water, and until 2011, only Belgian components were imported to the plant in Vsevolozhsk, and they were only diluted on the assembly line.

Antifreeze remained fluid down to -37 degrees and boiled at temperatures from +110 degrees. Several years ago in Klimovsk they launched the production of domestic antifreeze from components from Arteco and called it CoolStream Premium.

Analogs

Non-original antifreeze replacement kit (concentrate and distilled water)

At the same time, antifreeze turned out to be almost half the price of branded Ford antifreeze and is always available for free sale. They sell both CoolStream Premium C concentrate and ready-made antifreeze CoolStream Premium 40 and CoolStream Premium 65, depending on the proportions of water and concentrate. All these three brands of antifreeze are exactly the same in composition, the only difference can be in color.

What color should antifreeze be for Focus 2?

Drained antifreeze when replacing it.

Any coolant is colorless by nature. The dye is added only after the completion of the material preparation process in an amount of about several grams per thousand liters. Therefore, the color of different manufacturers can be anything from light green to bright blue. Why such color complications? Manufacturers explain it this way:

• by color you can roughly determine the brand of antifreeze;
• the car manufacturer requires a certain color, for example, Ford wants orange, Volvo yellow, and Volkswagen only purple, although the liquids can be completely identical in composition and properties;
• if the antifreeze is colored, then it is easier to see the level in the expansion tank, and also to calculate the location of the leak;
• You can check whether the antifreeze was replaced during operation.

Therefore, color when choosing antifreeze to replace or top up is absolutely not an indicator if the Ford standard WSS-M97B44-D or Ford recommendation is not indicated on the packaging.

What should I add?

Here is an approximate list of liquids of various colors that can be safely poured and added to the Ford Focus 2 cooling system:

Antifreeze brand Color

All these antifreezes are of the carboxylate type and have an identical composition. In addition to the brands listed above, other liquid compositions are also suitable for a complete replacement, but only of the carboxylate type. Keep an eye on the antifreeze temperature and have a nice trip everyone!

When to replace

The frequency of maintenance of the cooling system is determined not only by the recommendations of Ford and the antifreeze manufacturer. There are situations in which premature replacement of the coolant may be required. Let's look at typical cases.

• There was a leak in the cooling system and a significant amount of coolant leaked from the circuit. This is possible due to malfunctions of the pump (water pump), damage or physical wear of rubber pipes, sealing gaskets and other elements. In these cases, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of depressurization of the system, then drain the remaining old coolant and fill in the required amount of new coolant.
• The color of the liquid changed sharply. If the composition becomes very cloudy, this indicates its contamination with third-party substances that can settle on the internal surfaces of the cooling system. It is necessary to rinse the circuit with special products or distilled water to avoid premature clouding of the new coolant.

Mixing different compounds

One of the common questions that Ford Focus car owners face is what antifreeze can be added to the system if there is still old fluid left in it. To get the answer, you need to find out the brand of coolant that is already used in the car. If G11 or G11+ antifreeze is poured into the system, coolant of the same class should be added. If the car owner does not have information about what antifreeze was poured into the Ford Focus 2 during previous maintenance, the universal composition G12++ or Sintec multifreeze should be used. Such fluids are compatible with any type of coolant from G11 to G13 inclusive. It is worth considering that mixing is allowed only if the old coolant is in good condition and has not become cloudy. Otherwise, it is necessary to completely change the fluid, and topping up can only be done as a temporary measure in order to safely get to the service center and not overheat the engine.

Let's summarize

So, as is clear from the above, to replace the old coolant, you need to use only original antifreeze. The second important component of a quality result is competently performed work. It is difficult to carry out the procedure at the proper level with your own hands. In Yekaterinburg, we invite you to our car service center, where experienced craftsmen will perform all the necessary work quickly and efficiently. The price for replacing antifreeze at the ford96.rf car service is available to a wide audience of motorists. At the request of the client, it is possible to check the car on a stand: wheels, suspension, wheel alignment and other aspects.

To prevent antifreeze from boiling, you should take the one that is suitable for your engine. For those who have a powerful engine that is subject to severe loads and is capable of running red hot, you should choose a coolant with a high boiling point. These are usually found among ethylene glycol antifreezes. Remember, the higher its content in antifreeze, the higher its boiling point will be. Antifreezes designed for use in winter at -40° (OZh-40) have a relatively low boiling point of the order of +108°. Antifreeze designed for -65° (OZh-65) has a boiling point of approximately +116°. If you mix water and ethylene glycol in equal proportions, the boiling point of such a coolant will be +107°. Antifreeze is considered to boil the fastest - G12-plus; it is mainly used in high-speed engines.

Replacement sequence

Before you begin servicing the cooling system yourself, you should wait until the engine temperature drops to safe values. Do not unscrew the drain plug and filler cap until the pressure in the circuit has returned to normal. Otherwise, hot coolant will spray out with a powerful jet from the radiator and cause severe burns. To drain the old coolant, you need to place the car on an overpass or inspection hole. You need to place a container of sufficient volume under the radiator to collect used antifreeze. If necessary, drain the remaining fluid from the cylinder block if this is provided for by the design of the vehicle. Then you need to tighten the drain plugs in the radiator and engine, after which you can fill in fresh coolant. In order for the liquid to be distributed more quickly through the channels, it should be poured not into the expansion tank, but into the neck of the radiator. In this case, it is important to comply with the coolant volume specified in the vehicle documentation.

Checking the cooling system Ford Focus 2

If the temperature sensor needle has moved to the red area, but the car has not yet begun to emit steam, you need to turn on the interior heating to maximum - this will lower the coolant temperature. Before this, the car will need to be stopped - it is advisable to do this outside the roadway. After stopping, the power unit will need to be allowed to idle for a while at normal crankshaft speed. The heater must operate at full capacity.

So, let's start checking the system. First of all, turn off the engine. We inspect the space under the hood to determine where the steam is escaping.

At the same time, we inspect the engine, paying attention to the level of antifreeze in the tank, the condition of the thermostat and hoses

We check the space under the instrument panel on the passenger side to see if there are any traces of a leak that could be coming from the heater core. If there is a leak, it can be temporarily fixed by wrapping the damaged area with duct tape or, better yet, reinforced duct tape. A radiator leak cannot be eliminated so easily, so you just need to add water to it and monitor the temperature sensor readings.

However, remember that leaving water in the system for a long time will certainly lead to the appearance of scale, which, in turn, can cause serious malfunctions. And one more thing: it is strictly forbidden to add cold water to an overheated system. It should cool for at least half an hour.

A broken alternator belt could cause the engine to overheat. Belt stretching also leads to the same consequences. You definitely need to check the thermostat. This is done like this: with the engine cooled, you need to touch with your hand the hose with which the radiator is connected to the thermostat. The hose must be warm. If it is cold, the thermostat has failed.

In addition, it is imperative to examine the fan (its switching relay, fuse and electric motor). We also check the fan contacts for oxidation.

Features of Sintec multifreeze

Multifreeze coolant, which is produced under the Sintek brand, is optimally suited for servicing cooling systems in Ford Focus vehicles of various generations and years of manufacture. This is a universal composition characterized by the following advantages:

• high thermal conductivity. This property is especially important for powerful engines, in which a huge amount of heat is released during fuel combustion. Multifreeze ensures rapid heat removal from the internal combustion engine to the radiator, thereby reducing the risk of overheating and thermal deformation.
• durability. If the system is serviced and cleaned of contaminants remaining after using old antifreeze, the new fluid from Sintec will maintain optimal properties throughout the entire life of the vehicle.
• fluorescence. Phosphorus additives make it possible to detect coolant leaks, which greatly facilitates the process of diagnosing and repairing the cooling system when it becomes depressurized.

How to change coolant on a Ford Focus 2

According to the manufacturer's technical manual, replacing antifreeze on a Ford Focus 2 is recommended every 60 thousand kilometers or every 5 years of vehicle operation.

The volume of coolant to be filled is approximately 6 liters. Also prepare clean water in advance for flushing the system.

How to drain

First, you need to make sure that the car is parked on a level surface. Unscrew the cap of the expansion tank. We place a container of about ten liters under the drain hole. Unscrew the drain plug.

We unscrew the drain plug; there is no need to remove it from the hole. Drain the coolant.

Attention! Coolant is extremely dangerous, so wear gloves

Drain the used antifreeze into a prepared container.

If the expansion tank is dirty, it must be washed. We tighten the drain hole and pour water into the cooling system. We start the engine and let it run until the fan turns on. Turn off the engine and drain the water. We repeat this procedure until the drained water becomes clear. Screw in the plug for the drain hole.

How to fill

• Unscrew the coolant tank cap.
• Fill the cooler.
• We start the engine and wait until the fan turns on, then turn it off and look at the temperature sensor.
• We check the fluid level.
• If there is a shortage, add to the maximum level.

If the engine begins to overheat, then most likely an air lock has appeared. This can be determined in the following way:

• We turn on the heating.
• If hot air comes out, then the fan may be faulty.
• We repair or replace the rotator.

If it is cold, then we can safely say that there is insufficient coolant volume or an air lock. It can be eliminated in the following way:

• Turn off the ignition.
• We are waiting for the engine to cool down.
• Unscrew the cap of the expansion tank.
• We start the car.
• Let it run for five minutes, turn off the ignition.

• After replacing the cooler, after a couple of days we measure the level of the cooler; you also need to check its color.
• A good coolant may darken a little after some time, but the main color should remain the same.
• If after a few days the liquid turns brown or colorless, it is likely that you purchased a counterfeit product. Purchase original antifreeze, flush the system and replace the coolant.

We told you how to drain and replace antifreeze on a Ford Focus, as well as how much fluid is needed. If you have experience, leave your comment.

Filling in new fluid

At this point, the engine has already cooled down. After draining the distillate, the bottom plug is closed to prevent liquid leakage. The use of distilled water can be washed off with plain water - through a garden hose. The flushed system dries, after which new antifreeze can be added. Replacement of antifreeze for Ford Focus 2 restyling is carried out using the following brands: Freecor QR, GlasElf, EVOX Extra, MOTUL Ultra. These are the most suitable brands for this vehicle model. Replacing antifreeze in a Ford Focus 2 without restaling is done with the same brands.

Replacing antifreeze on a Ford Focus 3 (restalling) is done in several stages:

• Open the top drain cap of the radiator to gain access to the neck;
• The liquid is poured into the car evenly - without spills or leaks, to the maximum level. There should not be more than 2-3 mm between the surface of the poured antifreeze and the hole in the hose. At large distances, air is formed, which has a detrimental effect on the operation of the system;
• Having reached the level (7-10 liters), the lid closes and all units are returned to their previous state. Afterwards the car starts for 4-7 minutes.

Coolant drain

Before adding new fluid, the remaining fluid must be drained. The driver has a special container ready for this. After removing the side cap on the radiator, the drain cover will become accessible - the main tank has a bottom neck, which drains old antifreeze into a container under pressure. The vehicle can be left in this position for 10-12 minutes until the previous fluid drains out completely.

If the antifreeze drains from the supply unit slowly or the liquid comes out with a large amount of sediment, debris, or foreign objects, then the cooling system is dirty. Distilled water prepared for this is poured into the neck of the radiator. Then the car starts for 7-10 minutes and is left in this state. Next, the bottom drain neck is opened and the distillate is poured into the container. The car cools down and the driver begins to fill in new antifreeze.

Range of antifreezes G12 and G12+ from Sintec

The Sintek brand produces not only universal multifreeze, but also standard coolants of the G12 and G12+ classes. Coolants are made from environmentally friendly raw materials and have an improved composition. Sintec Lux G12 antifreeze contains carbon impurities and is gentle on the metal of the radiator and pumps. Its service life is 5 years or 75 thousand km. Coolant Sintec Premium G12+ contains not only carbon, but also silicate additives. It forms a thin protective film several micrometers thick on working surfaces, which prevents the formation of plaque and prevents corrosion. Crystallization of antifreeze occurs at a temperature not exceeding -40 °C - provided that the liquid is not diluted with water. This allows the use of Sintec coolant even in harsh northern climates.

What is poured from the factory into Focus 2 radiators?

Initially, it is painted orange, and the abbreviation on the label means that it is a coolant with an extended service life (Extended Life Anti-Freeze Coolant). This is a Belgian liquid produced by Arteco, a joint venture between the American Chevron and the French Total. Such liquids are also found under the Chevron brand, but they can be produced both in Russia and in Finland, China, Spain and India.

Warning about the dangers of antifreeze on the back of the original packaging.

The liquid sold by official dealers, Ford SUPER PLUS Premium, is Havoline XLC antifreeze. According to Ford catalogs, it goes under the number WSS-М97В44-D (this number is also a Ford specification at the same time. Antifreezes distributed by officials are painted purple, but in composition and characteristics these liquids are absolutely identical. This means that Havoline conveyor antifreeze You can safely add and dilute Ford Super Plus in any proportions.

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