Fixed the coolant leak today, pics

[omarssvt]

I'm getting this leak as well. I took it to a shop and told me that I had to get a new housing and with labor it would be like $130. Where can I get these o-rings and what material are they? Thanks a lot for any help.

[alecseborp]

Do you have to drain the coolant when doing this? If not, doesn't that leave air in the system?

[brawls43]

Anybody got the part number for this? Yeah it'll likely leak again, but if its not for another 50,000 miles, I don't mind.

[illinipo]

Originally Posted by alecseborp

Do you have to drain the coolant when doing this? If not, doesn't that leave air in the system?

The coolant system has two "bleeder" hoses designed to take air out of the system. One of them is on the top of the thermostat housing, the other is on the passenger side top of the radiator. So don't worry about it.

[SVT Robzor]

Good post, I'll reference it again in the spring when I fix this myself.

[Newkleus]

I just started to develop this problem I believe. I noticed a week ago my coolant was low, so I topped it off. I will see if has dropped at all for any reason.

[focus_nub_fanatic]

What color/type coolant should be used for the 2000 Foci? I read Green. Is this correct?

[brawls43]

If you can see what color yours has, add the same type, green or possibly yellow. Do not use the orange DexCool for GMs.

Sidenote: The proper size O-ring to use is actually a METRIC o-ring. Remember that Ford converted all its cars to Metric, not to mention the Focus was originally designed in Europe, where metric is the standard. After reading some people used #203 and some used #202, I checked into the metric's and there happens to be a standard metric size right between a #202 and #203. Its a 7mm ID, 13mm OD, 3mm cross-section. I got mine in Viton and of course have some left over. It went back in easily and haven't had a leak since. If you need one, PM me and I'll drop one in the snail mail for you.

Sorry, I'm now out of the o-rings I bought, they can be ordered from places like McMasterCarr.

[pat247]

brawls43, I sent you a pm.

I have been seeing liquid under my car for the past few days and a faint smell of coolant while driving. Checked under the hood and sure enough the plug is leaking and the coolant level is a wee bit low. I may go ahead and get a 180 degree thermostat while I`m at it.

[rhowe]

just did my t-stat housing last weekend. i was given an estimate of $250. decided to do it my self. bought the housing, t-stat and the t-stat o-ring. took about an hour. i didn't need the t-stat, the original was in perfect condition and the o-ring was also, so just buy the housing. i used alittle silicone on the housing where it meets the block incase it cracked agian.