on 2003 Ford Focus

if it is not runing hot ,it is circulating,it circulates by the water pump through the raidor to the block.if it is running hoter than usual around 210,you could have a stuck theromstat or water pump going bad,worst case blown head gasket or cracked head.

Yes. This car has an "overflow" reservoir.

once the temp gauge reaches the middle the coolant stops going to the reservoir and the temp gauge never goes beyond the middle line. in this case, would you say that it's a thermostat problem or the water pump ? i don't see any overheating as the temp gauge don't go beyond the middle line. it's strange because although the temp never show overheating i feel i am losing power after traveling for sometime. thanks for the reply papa.

Are you sure? Because my 2000 Focus does the same thing and it sounds like it dumped a bucket of water.

You may have air in your cooling system if you can hear it. When the engine is cold it may use fluid from the resevoir, and as it cools down it may discharge fluid into the reservoir. As long as your coolant level stays in the range indicated on the reservist, and your car is running in the normal temperature range, there is nothing to worry about. This may help bleed off some of the air though... SLOWLY remove the cap, especially if the engine is warm. Run the car with the cap off for about 15 minutes. Put the cap back on. You may have to do this every now and then untill all the air is out. When adding coolant to your Focus do it with the car running to help air from getting trapped in the system.

sounds like you are ok since it is not running hot,if you think their may be air in the coolent system,their is a bleeder valve or screw next to the thermostat housing,just push the valve with a small screw driver,or back off on the screw until coolent comes out,you dont have to take the screw all the way out.do this with engine hot,it will push out any air in the system,just dont have your face over it,dont want to get burnt.

Mark, Thanks!!!!! I just signed up because of your response to the "Coolant Bleeder Valve or Screw for my 2000 Ford Lx SP! 2.0L. The other sites just could not give me a prompt clue or answer. I have been trying for hours and thanks to you I got an idea of how to bleed any bubbles from my Focus after I flush it! If you have any further ideas as how to Flush a 2000 Ford Lx radiator I would greatly appreciate your help more so if you can direct me to a source as to how the valve looks on the thermostat? Thanks again!

My 2003 Ford focus is leaking coolant but not running hot what should I do?