Why is your Ford Focus overheating?

Answer 1

There are SO many possibilities. Low coolant level - blocked radiator - radiator cooling fan(s) failing to come on (this cant be the issue as the car is travelling at high speeds - fans shouldn't need to come on anyway) - failed water pump. It could be any one, or a combination of several of these factors. Have to do a little more checking. Good luck.

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The Focus is very susceptible to overheating when there's not enough air passing through the radiator.

Check the fan fuses (fusebox in the engine compartment and well marked on the cover).

There's also a recurring problem with the fan low-speed 'resistor' that is mounted in the center of the fan assembly, and easily accessible. The problem is that the electric connector melts and loses contact.

This video is one of the best I've seen and has everything you need to know to check it, and make the replacement: h t t p s://youtu.be/fIvhgYHftWQ

Note: RockAuto.com and Amazon had the best prices for the parts.

If the car temp runs normal for about a mile or 2 but then 'spikes', check the thermostat.

In all my 40 years of tinkering with cars, I've only had a couple of truly failed thermostats, and my Focus was one of them.

One last item - if you have a mystery leak, nothing obvious but you're always having to top off the reservoir tank... check the tank itself! These are known to develop small (almost microscopic) cracking the bottom of the tank.

Tanks are readily available after-market, and a quick replacement project.