Hi everyone! I have a Ford Focus MK3, 2.0 Duratec engine, 49k miles, for which I wanted to change the whole coolant/water mix for maintenance purposes.

The manual says the whole capacity is 6.5L, 50% should be concentrated coolant and 50% distilled water.

So I bought 4L of Total coolant (organic, red color); 3L to use for sure and 1L just in case it needs a bit more, aiming to save what’s left.

I brought the 4L to a mechanic who did the whole job. Sadly I wasn’t clear enough and just trusted that he would know but… he actually put all of the 4L of coolant and completed it with distilled water.

So now I guess the car has a mix with approximately 65/35 coolant/water which is not what the manual suggests, but the mechanic told me it is “better” that way.

What do you suggest?

  • Do I move on and just keep an eye on the temperature indicator? (I read that coolant’s heat transfer capacity is not as good as water’s).
  • Do I, somehow, “adjust” the mix by getting some out of the deposit and filling with water? I don’t know how to “get some out”, but I read some people use turkey basters for removing excess.
  • Do I replace everything again? The bad part is all of the cash I spent on the 4L of coolant and the mechanic’s work.

Thank you in advance!

  • Yellowsnow80@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Coolant is only used for freezing!! Antifreeze is the name, which suggests a non freezing condition.

    Coolant shouldn’t be thought for operating temp. Yes coolant boils at different temps then water, but the boiling point of any liquid inside radiator gets raised due to pressure in coolant system.

    Antifreeze mixtures are really only used for freezing. To make sure your coolant system doesn’t freeze when car is parked. I think 65/35 still protects yo around -30 degrees. You will be fine with 65/35

    • Pomelo-Parking@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      You actually even know what you are talking about??? It clearly states antifreeze/coolant right on the fn bottle .

      • Yellowsnow80@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        I’m just pointing out that antifreeze is to not have your radiator freeze (or engine block) when parked. Antifreeze properties don’t really care about boiling point aspect of the cooling system. Since the radiator cap controls boiling points of liquids, not the actual liquid in radiator.

        Yeah I do know what I’m talking about do you?

        • mikelusk7@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          This is false. Antifreeze does more than let it not freeze. It lowers the freeze point and raises the boiling point. The cap pressure also raises boiling point but the coolant mix has a lot to do with it. Another thing antifreeze does is lubricate the water pump, and has anti corrosion properties to prevent rust and scale in the cooling system. Also coolant is another name for antifreeze.

          • Yellowsnow80@alien.topBEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            That’s why I capitalized MAIN. The main benefit of antifreeze is lower the freezing point. The boiling aspect doesn’t truly matter since it’s a pressurized system. Yes it does raise boiling points but your thermostat and radiator pressures control the boiling points.