2007 TDCi - Coolant?

~Spyne~ · 30-12-2011, 06:46 PM

Hi guys, quick/dumb question:
Have noticed the coolant level in my TDCi is rather (very) low and Ford have not topped it up the last few services (it seems). Not sure if they are supposed to, but the car never runs above 60% of the temp gauge, so it doesn't really concern me at the moment.
However, as general interest, would the Nulon Red Long Life Top-Up Coolant be suitable to use for topping up if the car already has the 'stock' red coolant in it from Ford. I know you're not supposed to mix coolants, but had heard this one was 'compatible'?

Also, as the car is coming up to being 5 years old, should Ford be doing a complete flush/refill at the next service?

Cheers guys.

marg99 · 30-12-2011, 07:17 PM

Ford recommend changing the coolant every 4 years and if I recall my dealer does not do it unless they ask you first. (same with the brake fluid which has a 2-3 year life).

burnz · 30-12-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Spyne~

Hi guys, quick/dumb question:
Have noticed the coolant level in my TDCi is rather (very) low and Ford have not topped it up the last few services (it seems). Not sure if they are supposed to, but the car never runs above 60% of the temp gauge, so it doesn't really concern me at the moment.
However, as general interest, would the Nulon Red Long Life Top-Up Coolant be suitable to use for topping up if the car already has the 'stock' red coolant in it from Ford. I know you're not supposed to mix coolants, but had heard this one was 'compatible'?

Also, as the car is coming up to being 5 years old, should Ford be doing a complete flush/refill at the next service?

Cheers guys.

never ever mix coolant it could gell, just like aeroplane jelly... fact not fiction..

top up with water, if you want to run nulon flush and clean radiator and engine prior too..

rand0mn00b · 31-12-2011, 12:20 AM

the Nulon red pre-mixed top up coolant (50/50 mix) seems to work fine so far in my limited experience (other forum members appear to have used it with similar success)

according to: http://www.nulon.com.au/products/Coo...op-Up_Coolant/ - it should be compatible with Ford's orange/red coolant

definitely don't mix colours. topping it up with too much water will also affect the ratio (no longer will be 50/50) so i would avoid that

Focus manual claims the coolant will last 10 years but I'm not going to wait that long before flushing

SpasticBus · 03-01-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Spyne~

Not sure if they are supposed to, but the car never runs above 60% of the temp gauge, so it doesn't really concern me at the moment.
However, as general interest, would the Nulon Red Long Life Top-Up Coolant be suitable to use for topping up if the car already has the 'stock' red coolant in it from Ford. I know you're not supposed to mix coolants, but had heard this one was 'compatible'?

Hey mate, my LT TDCi sits just under 50% most of the time. I have never seen it above 50%. Under what conditions have you seen it at 60%? Just curious. Also, I recently checked my fluids and noticed my coolant level has dipped just under the MIN level. How much coolant loss have you experienced?

rand0mn00b · 04-01-2012, 12:56 AM

likewise, my temp gauge sits just under 50% also

funny you should mention that, my coolant level was also about 1 inch below min - i think it has been for some time now - but decided to top it up before going on a return trip to adelaide

~Spyne~ · 04-01-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpasticBus

Hey mate, my LT TDCi sits just under 50% most of the time. I have never seen it above 50%. Under what conditions have you seen it at 60%? Just curious. Also, I recently checked my fluids and noticed my coolant level has dipped just under the MIN level. How much coolant loss have you experienced?

During the arvo on Christmas Day, when it was about 37 outside - had been driving for 3 hours in mostly stop-start, with the a/c going and it crept up to just over 50%.
And I haven't noticed coolant loss/leakage, just noticed that it has been sitting below "MIN" for a few months now, even though I'd had the car serviced in that period.
Like I said, I wasn't concerned about the car overheating, but was just generally asking if the Nulon stuff could be used as a compatible top-up coolant with the factory Ford coolant.

Turbodiesel · 05-01-2012, 02:57 PM

Would be nice to know, would be even better if they serviced it properly hey

SpasticBus · 06-01-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Spyne~

Hi guys, quick/dumb question:
Have noticed the coolant level in my TDCi is rather (very) low and Ford have not topped it up the last few services (it seems). Not sure if they are supposed to, but the car never runs above 60% of the temp gauge, so it doesn't really concern me at the moment..

Yeah i would have taken it back and gotten them to top it up. I have a service coming up in March and would expect to see it topped up. Don't know if i will be going to Ford or another place yet. Or whether i'll just do it myself.

marg99 · 06-01-2012, 03:50 PM

you need a good suction pump to change the fuel filter as you must bleed the system after the filter housing. I found it was a messy job and had to have two goes to bleed it correctly, luckily the fuel filter is only required on the major service intervals.