7.7
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$183.00
Average Mileage:
62,580 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace thermostat housing (7 reports)
cooling system problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Focus leaking thermostat housing
2009Feb 17
Focus ZX5
- Manual transmission
- 58,000 miles
I noticed that there was a drip of antifreeze, but nothing major until the car was idling for about 20 minutes and the temp went into the red. I was able to get the car home, then found there to be no coolant. A little googling found the common issue of the cracked thermostat housing. Sure enough, that was the problem. Bough the parts from partstrain.com for about ~$150 and installed them with the help of my brother. A tight place to install the housing, but just move the hoses around and it can be reached. The old housing blew a ring seal where it interfaces with the engine block. Replaced the thermostat while I was in there to be on the safe side.
2009Jun 14
Focus ZTS
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
So, the day before I was going to drive this thing 130 miles to the airport, I noticed my dog peed under the front end of the car, parked in my driveway. By early evening, since it did not dry, I checked it and saw it was not pee. So, I drove my reliable Toyota 4Runner to the airport the next day. A week later, I was home and popped the hood on the Focus and saw the coolant reservoir was empty. I searched online and saw that the main cause of an idle coolant leak in a Focus is the thermostat housing. I went to Ford and bought one (probably could have got it cheaper online) and a gallon of coolant.
It is too easy to replace yourself. The only annoying part was draining the remaining coolant. There is no way to direct the flow, at least not on my model. As soon as you unscrew the plug, it shoots out everywhere--I took a coolant bath.
Follow these instructions: http://www.focushacks.com/?modid=59&ht=Replacing%20the%20thermostat%20and/or%20thermostat%20housing
Took about three hours with a self-done flush and fill after the housing was replaced. Don't pay a repair guy.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Dec 03
Focus ZTS 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
Same as other complaints regarding the thermostat housing. It's a bit annoying. The main problem is that you have plastic bolted right on the head so over time is just dry rots. I had the exact same problem in my 98 jetta.
Btw, I can't believe someone else getting a dealer quote for ~$1100!! No wonder Ford is having financial issues... when the economy gets tough not as may people are going to fork over $1100 for a <$100 job!!
Easy to change. Make sure to buy the replacement housing before taking the old one out, as it most likely going to fall apart.
2008Apr 10
Focus SE 2L Dohc
- Automatic transmission
- 75,127 miles
Anticipating a huge repair bill, I decided to fix this thing myself. The puddle of coolant in the driveway was obvious, but it took a long time to determine the exact point of the leak. Observation indicated it was above the transmission housing and none of the hoses or connections were dripping. When searching around using a flashlight, I spotted indication of corrosion on the lower bolt holding the thermostat housing to the engine block. Getting enough tubes and brackets out of the way to remove the housing was very tough, but I did get it out and discovered the channel that holds the "O" ring gasket was broken out for about 1" of the internal circumference of the housing. That allowed coolant to blow out between the housing and block when under operating pressure.
The nature of the repair is very simple. It is a remove and replace operation, but all the tubes, wire bundles, and distributor module mounted around the housing made it a nasty job. I had to remove 8 to 10 fasteners just to change a housing that is held by three bolts and three hose clamps. Most of the cost of this job at a shop will be consumed by labor involved simply getting to the problem part.
If you need a thermostat housing changed, find a patient friend who is a good wrench man with a couple of hours to share. Spend $65 for a new housing and gasket, and take your friend to dinner when he is done.
2008Feb 14
Focus ZX3
- Manual transmission
- 45,000 miles
Thought the problem was an engine problem, but when I brought to the Ford dealership, they told me that the thermostat, thermostat housing and O ring had to be replaced at a cost of $1100.00. I took my car and paid the $125 for the analysis.
2005Jul 14
Focus ZTS 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 57,885 miles
Thermostat housing failed on this car long before it ever should have. Had to be replaced by the dealership thankfully under extended warranty. Would have cost at least a few hundred dollars without warranty. I would suggest not buying one of these cars without an extended warranty. I've gotten my money's worth out of my warranty.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Sep 23
Focus LS 2.0L
I had a slow coolant leak on my Ford Focus 2002. I just kept topping it up for several months until one day it started to overheat and I took it to (they call it Crickshank Ford - I call it Crookshank Ford in Toronto).
They initially said they couldn't find the problem, but that they thought it was the thermostat and possible the housing (a $400.00 job) and could I leave the car overnight and they would test it in the morning. After some more testing in the morning they said they still could not find the issue but were still sure it was the Thermostat and housing. So I said what choice do I have but to rely on the "professionals" and gave the go ahead. I was then called back about ten minutes later and was told it was definitely the Thermostat housing as it was leaking as we were speaking.
Great right, well not so fast. After driving home that night it was fine, but after driving home from work the next day and backing into my parking spot I got out of my car and saw coolant all over my condo parking area and a pool under my car. I went back to the Crookshank dealership and had them take a look and they said they didn't see anything wrong. So I went back home and sure enough the next day the same thing happened and I went back to the garage again, and was told once more they couldn't find anything wrong, but I went with one of the mechanics for a test drive and the car did overheat.
Mechanic thought it might be a sensor or a problem with the fan. Ford asked if I could leave the car and they would take a closer look in the morning. The next day I was told it could be the Fuel pump at $460.00 and if that didn't fix the problem then they would have to change the radiator at another $360.00 with taxes that would be about $1000.00. I said this was unacceptable as the car did not have this problem prior to my bringing the car to their garage and went home without doing the recommended repairs.
The next day I went back to work and sure enough when I got home and backed into my spot and got out of my car there was a trail of coolant and a puddle under my car. I went back to the dealership and was once again told they couldn't find the problem but the manager of the service department would drive the car home and they would see if he had the same problem when he drove back to the garage in the morning. By the way he said he would call first thing in the morning, at around 3 in the afternoon and not receiving a call I call the dealership and was told they had located the problem and it was a hose that was leaking. Another $165.00 and about 2 days of missed work not to mention the 4 hours in three days of cleaning coolant off of my condo parking, I complained that I should not have to pay the $165.00 as the problem was not there prior to my bring the car to Ford in the first place. The service manager said that it may have been since they had replaced the thermostat and housing there was more pressure in the system, but the mechanic and I had the system pressured up to 22 pounds and there was no leak.
I think the problem may have been "just" the hose all along. I also complained that if I had replaced all the recommended parts at about $1000.00 my car still would not have been fixed, seeing as it was a hose that supposedly had blown (but only after driving home and backing into my parking spot). I asked how it was that these Ford service garages which charge over $100.00 an hour, I think it is $110.00 could justify this fee if they are not even able to resolve known issues with Ford vehicles.
I was told that most issue are very straight forward and not this difficult to diagnose.
Well I ask you as Ford does not have an answer, if these technicians can only diagnose very straightforward issue then why in the world should we pay such a hefty premium and bring our cars and trust to a Ford service garage? I am very frustrated and will be contacting Ford Canada directly but do not expect much from them either, but will let you know.
mvaldes
Toronto, ON, Canada
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