I want to do a coolant flush on a 2005 Ford Focus w/ 2.0 Duratec engine. I suspect that it has never been done as PM. I don't want to remove the thermosat if I can avoid it (very diffult) . Can I use the prestone flush kit ? Should I just do a couple of drain refills ? Any reommendations on what to do ? - Thanks
Coolant flush 2005 Ford Focus
- Thread starter rkpatt
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Just drain through the radiator drain or lower hose, if you have heat problems, then pull the heater hoses and flush the heater core then close it up and refill.
I always use distilled water to mix coolant. Skip the flush chemicals. Test or replace your radiator or coolant cap.
I always use distilled water to mix coolant. Skip the flush chemicals. Test or replace your radiator or coolant cap.
Looking at your owners manual, it calls for distilled water use. That being the case I would not use the Prestone Flushing T method.
If the radiator petcock is easily accessed, doing some d&fs with distilled water till basically clear is an option. Using lower radiator hose to drain (for d&fs) also an option. Then can use full strength G-05 to ~50% of system capacity then top with distilled.
Or, just wanting to do a single radiator d&f also an option( will leave some old AF in engine block). You could still use full strength G_05 mixed with half distilled in a jug, and pour in. Last could use G-05 premix 50/50 for single d&f, but that is the most expensive way to go.
If the radiator petcock is easily accessed, doing some d&fs with distilled water till basically clear is an option. Using lower radiator hose to drain (for d&fs) also an option. Then can use full strength G-05 to ~50% of system capacity then top with distilled.
Or, just wanting to do a single radiator d&f also an option( will leave some old AF in engine block). You could still use full strength G_05 mixed with half distilled in a jug, and pour in. Last could use G-05 premix 50/50 for single d&f, but that is the most expensive way to go.
You could probably get by with just doing a drain and fill especially if you can get the block drain/drains open. Just drain it all out through the radiator and block drains. Empty the puke jug too. Then buy the full strength stuff, and mix it 50/50 with distilled water.
There should be a drain on the radiator. But it may be due for a thermostat anyway.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
There should be a drain on the radiator. But it may be due for a thermostat anyway.
Allong those lines, i wonder if doing a lower rad hose drain is safer than fooling with a 10 year shut petcock. Some say no problem on the petcock, others say she'll likely leak and never close shut fully again (=new rad). Then again... If it has a tension clamp in the hose.... I wonder if that holds its tension the same ince widend to back off the rad hose.
The magic is discerning the lesser of two potential failures I suppose.
There should be a drain on the radiator. But it may be due for a thermostat anyway.
Allong those lines, i wonder if doing a lower rad hose drain is safer than fooling with a 10 year shut petcock. Some say no problem on the petcock, others say she'll likely leak and never close shut fully again (=new rad). Then again... If it has a tension clamp in the hose.... I wonder if that holds its tension the same ince widend to back off the rad hose.
The magic is discerning the lesser of two potential failures I suppose.
Just did a D&F with my 30 year old Mazda B2000 petcock. Was difficult to first get it off but easy after the first time. Did it 5 times until finally clear-ish. Nasty nasty fluid came out. Don't know if ever done.
I just took a closer look. There is screw clamp on the large hose connection to the thermostat vs spring clamps everywhere else (maybe hose changed or thermostat changed at some point and the coolant may have been changed as well). The petcock located at the bottom of the radiation on the driver's side loosened easily. I will do several drain and refills. I would like to use Prestone Uiversal Extended Life Coolant on the final refill since I have a couple of gallons in my garage . Do I really need to use Xerex G-05 ?
The radiator drain petcock on my 2003 Focus came out very easily when I had to drain the coolant for the thermostat housing change when the car was 9 or 10 year old. The plastic ones are much less prone to being stuck, provided they were not overtightened previously.
Originally Posted By: rkpatt
.... I would like to use Prestone Uiversal Extended Life Coolant on the final refill since I have a couple of gallons in my garage . Do I really need to use Xerex G-05 ?
Or Motorcraft Gold. And the answer imo would be yes. Prestone All Makes Models is basically non proprietary DexCool also containing 2eha which is a known plasticizer. Ford specifically spec'd G05 not DexCool and even with a complete flush I would use G05.
That said your car, with complete flush and Prestone AMM better than mixing. But seems like rolling the dice to me. My .02
.... I would like to use Prestone Uiversal Extended Life Coolant on the final refill since I have a couple of gallons in my garage . Do I really need to use Xerex G-05 ?
Or Motorcraft Gold. And the answer imo would be yes. Prestone All Makes Models is basically non proprietary DexCool also containing 2eha which is a known plasticizer. Ford specifically spec'd G05 not DexCool and even with a complete flush I would use G05.
That said your car, with complete flush and Prestone AMM better than mixing. But seems like rolling the dice to me. My .02
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