Ford Ikon Used different coolant.

[abhik]

Do make sure if you are going in for aftermarket coolants other than OE then you buy a good quality brand like Motul, Castrol, Valvoline etc and not local ones and use them as mentioned in their respective packs as some mechanics would misguide you saying use full coolant instead of mixing it with water when the pack would mention just 1part to 3parts of water in which case it might be harmful and not perform cooling operation as required.

[dashoin]

Gauges can be misleading !

My gauge usually indicates at the 50 % (1/2) mark. I was advised to check the the car checked in case it goes to the 75%(3/4) mark - thumb rules of mechanics - I guess.


I was also told that the thermostat would operate at around this point to bring the radiator into the cooling circuit - something about a signal to the ECM to go into the close loop mode. Is it correct?

[silver_shadow]

Originally Posted by abhik

If you are driving the car out on a hot summer day and in traffic then 1/2 on the temp guage is fine as the same happens to me because the air around the car is hotter in traffic due to the heat from other vehicles in close viscinity thus the air sucked in is also hot resulting in the higher temperature but it should fall down a bit once on an open stretch. So i guess nothing to worry about but anything more than that then do get the coolant changed or check for leaks, sometimes it might not be a visible leak and the coolant might be trickling away slowly somewhere unnoticed.

i believe it is 1/2 even on an open stretch. having said that it is also quite hot these days. let's see - i guess if i notice it rising above that then i will get it checked. if not then i'll have it replaced/checked in the next service.

[abhik]

Originally Posted by silver_shadow

i believe it is 1/2 even on an open stretch. having said that it is also quite hot these days. let's see - i guess if i notice it rising above that then i will get it checked. if not then i'll have it replaced/checked in the next service.

Bro dont worry about it too much, if ever it goes more than 1/2 and stays there in normal conditions then you need to worry.
Just get leaks checked and coolant level up to prescribed limit, thats it!
Drive with a "COOL" head and that will keep your ride cool!!

[abhik]

Originally Posted by dashoin

Gauges can be misleading !

My gauge usually indicates at the 50 % (1/2) mark. I was advised to check the the car checked in case it goes to the 75%(3/4) mark - thumb rules of mechanics - I guess.


I was also told that the thermostat would operate at around this point to bring the radiator into the cooling circuit - something about a signal to the ECM to go into the close loop mode. Is it correct?

I thought the cooling circuit was already a closed loop one.

[dashoin]

Whoops - guess I didnt put it clearly!!

The cooling system is a closed loop one - the radiator comes in the cooling path after the engine reaches a preset temperature. The thermostat bypasses the radiator till this temperature is reached.
( Did this research after my Dad complained that the engine gets heated up fast - his 96 esteem supposedly does not have this !!! Saw all the cooling paths after my diverter valve failed and I had to get it bypassed.)

From what I`ve read and been told, the ECM would go into the closed loop mode after this thermostat operates. That is what I meant by closed loop operation.

[abhik]

Originally Posted by dashoin

Whoops - guess I didnt put it clearly!!

The cooling system is a closed loop one - the radiator comes in the cooling path after the engine reaches a preset temperature. The thermostat bypasses the radiator till this temperature is reached.
( Did this research after my Dad complained that the engine gets heated up fast - his 96 esteem supposedly does not have this !!! Saw all the cooling paths after my diverter valve failed and I had to get it bypassed.)

From what I`ve read and been told, the ECM would go into the closed loop mode after this thermostat operates. That is what I meant by closed loop operation.

Sorry!
Ya i guess that how all the newer models function now.

[snaronikar]

Guys, the Ford dealer supervisor here said that we never have to use other coolant other than Ford recommended lubricant as it will affect the ECM. He has flushed out the green lubricant which I had filled in and then he filled it with ford recommended lubricant and said he will give a guarantee of 20k kms (till then coolant replacement is not required). Need to check this anyways...

[snaronikar]

I think it is a nice drive. You are right. These volvo guys drive very fast and whenever I will be driving in night I make it a point that never to give chance to these guys to overtake as we will never know when these guys will apply brakes and if they do, these buses tend to stop completely. The people behind will have a hard time brajing their vehicles.

[abhik]

Originally Posted by snaronikar

Guys, the Ford dealer supervisor here said that we never have to use other coolant other than Ford recommended lubricant as it will affect the ECM. He has flushed out the green lubricant which I had filled in and then he filled it with ford recommended lubricant and said he will give a guarantee of 20k kms (till then coolant replacement is not required). Need to check this anyways...

I was told the same thing, but i figured out it was just another excuse for them to add on Rs900 to the bill and their coolant did'nt last me 5000Kms.

[silver_shadow]

i checked the coolant level today and it was PRETTY low. the last few days she was heating up pretty quickly with just a few mins of driving with no traffic even in the night. now everything's ok. i went to the office this afternoon in scorching heat and the gauge was showing just around 1/4 which i guess should be normal most of the times even when it's a bit hotter.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by snaronikar

Guys, the Ford dealer supervisor here said that we never have to use other coolant other than Ford recommended lubricant as it will affect the ECM. He has flushed out the green lubricant which I had filled in and then he filled it with ford recommended lubricant and said he will give a guarantee of 20k kms (till then coolant replacement is not required). Need to check this anyways...

A) It will not affect ECM, yeah maybe for indian condition ford might be using a diff/better grade coolant. Color is diff if i remember correct, but that doesnt mean it will affect ECU, rather car might run a lil hotter.
B) Regular coolant change interval is 20k kms or more, with top ups in between if required.