Radiator problems - I think?

[SCpoloRicker]

Found the car (02 Focus, stick, broken AC) with a pool of green liquid underneath it.

Popped the hood, doesn't appear to be puking all over the place, so I'm thinking its a radiator hose problem. Drove around the block, and she's bleeding the whole way. Not dramatically, but enough that when passing by again you can see the trail.

From this, I'm thinking radiator hose leak/break.

I'm far from an auto expert, so I'd appreciate advice on what the problem may be, and who is the best to fix it. I'm thinking of the Ford dealership where I bought it, except I think they will screw me on pricing. There is also a guy down the street who rebuilds old cars (think crate 383 into a 3rd gen 'maro) who may be able to help.

Plus, I ha(d)ve a job interview today. Joy.

[geekwarrior]

if its a hose, its pretty easy to replace...you could probably do it yourself....take it to a dealer you can bend over and

take it to a local mechanic, or the guy down the street

[sbpyro]

Not sure if it is the same situation or not.
I've had a radiator flush and new fluid put in
well apparently the guy didn't mix it with water and all of a sudden I see radiator fluid just pouring out of my car. Pulled over open the hood and see the fluid coming from reservoir not the radiator or hoses. Got some new fluid and water and all of the sudden the problem was fixed.

[SCpoloRicker]

if its a hose, its pretty easy to replace...you could probably do it yourself....take it to a dealer you can bend over and

take it to a local mechanic, or the guy down the street

I break things. :) I mean, like, I can't hang a picture frame without dropping it.

I'm also not sure if its just a hose. It could also be the water pump (3rd party info).

[9868Classic]

If you need a quick patch and the radiator is busted, break an egg in it, and keep chuggin along. Just remember, that there is an egg in your radiator and its only a temperary fix.

[SCpoloRicker]

9868Classic: I was supposed to drive around 90 miles round trip to an interview, so a temp fix won't really work for me.

sbpyro: Haven't had it flushed recently.

It may be worth noting that the car has gotten very little use in the past year, as I've been commuting mass-transit. Maybe it sat too long, and now that I'm using it a lot again, it couldn't take it?

[Lohman446]

If its leaving a stream it is considered a pretty severe leak, I would not think you would plan on driving it very far. Remember folks, coolant temperature sensors (the sensor that tells you if its overheating). If there is no coolant the readings are not accurate.

Though I thought by 02 the Focus was using gold coolant, not green. I don't have the book right in front of me though.

Where was this puddle of green? AC dye is green but there should only be a 1/2 ounce in the system, certainly not enough to leave a trail.

Edit: I checked (took like two minutes too) 02 was a split year, could have had green, gold, or orange coolant in it for the Focus. Gotta love Ford.

[billybob_81067]

can you tell where the leak is coming from at all? Could be the radiator, radiator hoses, heater hoses, water pump, intake manifold where the coolant crosses over.

I busted the intake manifold crossover on my sisters 96 mustang GT once when doing burnouts. Damn thing was made of plastic...

Oh well I still love that car! :)

[SCpoloRicker]

Yeah, my friend was telling me to put a towel under it to try and locate the leak.

I really doubt I would be able to do this.. "Yep, thats the engine." is about my level of expertise.

Anyone have thoughts on different chain mechanics shops?

[Lohman446]

Yeah, my friend was telling me to put a towel under it to try and locate the leak.

I really doubt I would be able to do this.. "Yep, thats the engine." is about my level of expertise.

Anyone have thoughts on different chain mechanics shops?

Yep - but there biased and not good for you :).

Chain shops, in general, tend to hire the minimal level of expertise that is needed so they can pay the least amount of money. Bonus programs are based on profitability/productivity numbers that many independents would never even consider. You are much better off finding a local person you can trust, but that in itself may be hard. Chains have certain levels of service / honesty that they check for from time to time as well.

If you find a reputable, honest independent I would think you are far better off than your chains. I would walk into a NAPA (or Autovalue) type aftermarket store (not Autozone as they tend not to keep commercial accounts) and ask them for recommendations. They will generally recommend someone (though be equally cautious if they recommend there own "chain"). Be aware they may recommend whoever they sell the most parts to Or go into a store that specializes in tires and alignments (not chain if it can be helped). They know the people in the area and have no financial incentive on who to recommend.

[WaffleBaron]

How many miles are on the car and do you know when/if the timing belt has ever been replaced?

[Lohman446]

How many miles are on the car and do you know when/if the timing belt has ever been replaced?

The timing belt is not leaking green fluid...

[BeaverEater]

get under it and check where its leaking from, and if you dont know anything about cars, get a friend to look who has half a brain. Right now my truck is leaking coolant and i know its the water pump. Also most people dont realize that a puddle, even if its like a foot in size, usually isnt too much fluids. That might only be like 10 drops or so. Also try putting a stop leak type aditive in there, that usually helps a little.

[Soopa Villain17]

get under the car while its running. if its the water pump then coolant will be most likley coming out of the weep hole , which is made to leak when the water pump fails. also check the drain plug on the bottom of your radiator. or

thermostat housing.
coolant resivoir.
both bottom and top radiator hoses.
make sure your rad cap is leaking either.

those are the most common places to lose coolant out of.

[SCpoloRicker]

Thanks for the input. Its a cracked radiator hose.

I'm not confident in the install, so I dropped it off at a Goodyear down the street. Feel free to abuse me for said action.

Supposed to be ready to pick up tomorrow.

/So: I'm gonna mod it out, put a chip in and maybe exhaust and, like, air filter. does any1 kno the SVT kit is called???