Hi Just joined, I have a 2001 reg ford focus, the temperature gauge keeps going into the red when driving on the motorway. I've had the thermostat changed which worked ok for a while but the problem has returned .

driving at normal speeds no problems. had the water pump changed a couple of years ago, flushed the radiator the other day, got a new sensor

not over heating at all, not losing water just puzzled to what the hell going on , tried a new expansion cap which made no difference ,

Any one else had this happen and how did you fix it

Thanks

 

The only thing you've not done that springs to mind, is the head gasket

 

I'm not losing no water & the diagnostics said it was all working fine just a fault with the cyclinder head sensor which I replaced still same probs
Thanks mate for replying I'm a real forum virgin as never been on one in my life - my mechanic is puzzled , he thinks its dashboard - do you think it worth change that

 

Maybe the gauge is playing up. Cheaper to replace that on spec than change the head gasket. I wouldn't expect the head gasket if it isn't losing water but it may be worth getting the coolant sniff tested for combustion gasses.

 

silly question have you done anything to affect air flow through the engine bay? also have you checked the fan comes on?

It could be a blockage some where! So have you deliberately opened up the water system by disconnecting a pipe to see if you get water flowing / pissing out at the TOP of the engine?

 

done all that mate - mechanic said its all flowing , opened it up and it poured out - 3 weeks trying to sort this out had another mechanic say it was the rad , one says Rad and the other says dashboard

 

Plug it in with a diagnostic machine and monitor coolant temp whils driving on motorway / dual carriageway and you will have an accurate temp reading

 

Hi buddy i had this same problem with a rover that was in for repair it ticked over all day never overheated then when you drove it along the road it would overheat a traced it down to a new thermostat had been fitted the wrong way round turned it round and all was ok hope this is of some help to you

 

Had this problem on mine recently. Mine was caused by a leaky water pipe. Wasnt allowin water out but was sucking air in. I managed to get whole set of pipes from a 04 focus with 40k on clock flushed the system through. Inc heater matrix as kept goin cold and not had any probs since.

Hope this helps

 

i am having the exact same problems . while driving at speed my temp gauge goes up and fans stay on its driving me crazy too . so far i have replaced water pump thermostat radiator coolant cap all with no success the last thing i have to do is cht sensor and im praying it helps but no banking on it . i am also not loosing coolant and had a pressure test the results were 190 psi on cylinder 1-3 and 180 on cylinder 4 so i am not convinced it is head gasket a few suggestions that have been made to me are bottom radiator hose getting vacumed at speed and possible catalytic converter issues i was hoping you may have solved yours and had an answer lol

my car is also a 1.8 2001 zetec

 

i forgot to add my temp fix was to remove the thermostat and its fine n just cold and not so fuel efficient