2008 Focus with metal particles in the coolant!

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Camu Mahubah

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I bought this car brand new in 2008 and I have never abused this car. I have always taken it to the Ford dealership in my town or the one I bought it from for service every 5000 miles. Actually a little before every 5000.

Today I decided to take it in at 4600 miles because I am going on a 500 mile trip next week and wanted to go ahead and rotate the tires and get the oil changed and all the fluids checked. I follow the 5000 mile oil change because 80% of our driving is done in town.

I go to pay and the Ford tech wants to talk to me about a coolant flush for $119. The car is a 2008 and has 29000 miles on it. I'm thinking no way. Then I ask him why he is recommending a coolant flush. Then he proceeds to open my coolant reservoir and tells me to take a look. Little tiny silverish pieces of metal are floating around in my yellow coolant! I almost fainted...

What would cause an engine with so few miles on it to have tiny pieces of metal in the coolant? It's the yellow coolant and I have never had to add any coolant in the two years I have owned the car.

I'm a little stressed and worried right now. This isn't normal is it? Should I go along with the mechanics advice and pay for a flush? I hardly think that would resolve the issue I'm thinking something else is going on. What could be causing this? Is it the water pump or left over shavings from the block casting?

I went and talked to the repair manager and they promised to contact Ford and call me tomorrow. I'm thinking this should be covered under warranty whether it is a coolant flush needed or a new radiator or water pump or whatever it is...

I'm worried now...I was so worried I almost told the dealer I wanted to trade right now for a new car! I came to my senses and kept my mouth shut and just took it all in. I think Ford should pay for this.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see what Ford says tomorrow.

You can see the metal floaties plain as day in the coolant reservoir. They are about the size a pin head with a few larger sharp looking shrapnel silverish pieces too. I'm a bit worried now and I hope I posted this in the right forum...

I just wanna know what you guys think could cause this and how I should go about talking to Ford tomorrow when they call? I have always taken it to a Ford dealership for service and I have all my receipts so I'm covered there I hope...I didn't discover this on my own cause I usually just look through the reservoir and can see it's full and don't have to open the lid to check it.

What should I do about this?
 
You would think they would be sitting in the lowest point. Can you take a few of them out and feel them and look at them to verify what they are? Maybe its just junk floating in the coolant.
 
Originally Posted By: mrichards
You would think they would be sitting in the lowest point. Can you take a few of them out and feel them and look at them to verify what they are? Maybe its just junk floating in the coolant.


They definitely look like metal...the wife is putting a pic on photobucket right now I'll post it here in a few...
 
Originally Posted By: wirelessF
Could it be trash left over from the casting process?
Anything metal would not be floating. I think you are seeing some sort of stopleak. Most dry stopleak products are wood based and they will float. The Alumaseal will float and look shiney.
 
{Let me put on my tin foil hat}

Wonder if someone put some "metal particles" in your coolant for a show and to get you to do the "reasonable" service...
whistle.gif


I'm calling nothing is wrong (lets think about this.. What could make "metal particles" to be floating in the coolant? Radiator? Nope. Casting from engine block? Nope as you would have seen that well before 28000 miles.

Have someone else (even better you do it) flush the system well, put in whatever is recommended, get a sample of the coolant and send it off to find out what is the particles.

If you are not having any cooling problems, the level has been the same I'd call it a day.

just my 3 cents.. I'll now take off the foil hat
48.gif


Bill
 
IMG00325-20100504-1842.jpg


There is the pic. It's so windy outside right now or I would try to get a piece out. They look like shrapnel to me...Im gonna play Borderlands and check back in an hour and see what you guys think...

TRying Desperately Not to Worry about the "tin foil"...*puts on on titanium helmet and crys!!*
 
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Not metal. Looks like some seeds.

I'd flush the system, refill and get on with it. Nothing to worry about. I'm still with the same mindset I had above.

Bill
 
Bill beat me to it.


I've never seen anything in coolant, except coolant(sludged coolant at times) but only coolant. Most of the radiators now are a hybrid of various metals or plastics and are put through a rigorous cleaning process before assembly. I doubt any abrasives would remain in the system.

I personally think its the dealer, I've seen it first hand and heard many accounts from friends and relatives. They are there to offer services in addition to what you are asking to be done. Take a $20 bill and send it for analysis. See what the particles are, and I doubt they would match what the radiator is made of.

Secondly metal doesn't float unless you just threw the metal dust particles in there, and even then it would settle quite quickly. You sure they didn't throw glitter or anything in there?
 
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Yeah I agree with Bill flush that stuff out of it yourself. In my opnion that is not metal but junk that found it ay in there via the dealer or when someone had the cap off and some junk fell in. Nothing to be worried about.
 
To me, that looks like pieces of silicates or some other debris found in coolant sometimes. Nothing wrong, IMO and no reason to flush it either.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
To me, that looks like pieces of silicates or some other debris found in coolant sometimes. Nothing wrong, IMO and no reason to flush it either.



+1


I've actually seen that in another Focus, and it is still running just fine 20k later...
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
To me, that looks like pieces of silicates or some other debris found in coolant sometimes. Nothing wrong, IMO and no reason to flush it either.


Agreed, if you go looking for problems you will find them. There is always some minor debris in the cooling system, and it will never be 100 pure coolant. Jaguar used to put a can of Bars leaks in every car that left the factory. Maybe Ford has a similar additive? Relax and enjoy the car.
 
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Originally Posted By: The Critic
To me, that looks like pieces of silicates or some other debris found in coolant sometimes. Nothing wrong, IMO and no reason to flush it either.


Okay so I shouldn't trade her off I guess...I was already internet window shopping the new Fiesta...haha....

Thanks guys...at least I will be able to sleep tonite now!
 
I also have a focus, and I too noticed particles like those in my cooling system.
It is absolutely nothing to worry about. Ford puts stop leak in every car right from the factory...they actually had an issue with this stuff reacting with the Gold coolant on earlier cars (turned everything brown). That's not what your seeing there however, what you actually looking at is silicates that have coagulated within the coolant.
In a couple years these things will really start to build up in your coolant pressure tank, also nothing to worry about. Its a bit unsightly, but that's about it.
 
I do not see anything abnormal in that coolant. I have seen a lot of cars have far more junk in their overflow bottles than that at less miles. This is a Ford Focus, not the space shuttle. The manufacturing process isn't perfect and it may just be a little casting sand or metal chips that stayed in the engine during manufacture. What is it going to hurt? If it's just a small amount it's not going to clog the radiator or really damage anything. If it bothers you I say change the coolant but it's not something to consider trading in your car over.
 
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