Coolant Leak after a Car Service

LHowardhhkwok on 29/04/2024 - 16:09
Last edited 29/04/2024 - 18:33 by 1 other user

I recently send my 2013 Ford Focus 2013 for a car service because of the internal noise.

The mechanic then fixed it by replacing the bearing kit. The problem was fixed. After a week when I was driving my car indicated that the engine was overheated. I then sent it back to the mechanic with diagnosed that there is a leaking problem with the coolant.

My questions are:

Does the car service include to check the coolant system?
Is it the mechanics fault of not noticing the coolant system was leaking at the first place?
As the brake light wasn’t working after the car service as well, was the mechanic really doing his job properly?
The mechanic is going to charge me $300 for the replacement as well as $600 to $800 labour fees, is this reasonable for fixing the coolant leaking?

Automotive Car Ford

Comments

  • mini2 on 29/04/2024 - 16:29
    +1

    It's an 11-year-old car. Things are bound to break or need attention from time to time.

    Where is the actual coolant leak? Is it from the radiator, seeping from the head gasket, a pinhole in the hose, or a loose clamp?

    Brake lights are incandescent light bulbs which have a finite lifetime. Or do you mean the brake light switch is stuffed?

  • jv on 29/04/2024 - 16:37
    +1

    Is it the mechanics fault of not noticing the coolant system was leaking at the first place?

    If you knew it was leaking, why didn't you tell them?

  • MS Paint on 29/04/2024 - 16:37
    +2

    2013 Focus - my guess the coolant leak is the in heater core assembly at the bottom/centre of the dashboard. Well known failure point.

    Is there any coolant in either front foot well?

    • jv on 29/04/2024 - 16:38
      -4

      Did they fix it in the 2014 Focus?

    • Gunnar on 29/04/2024 - 16:53

      Is there any coolant in either front foot well?

      Based on the OP’s questions I don’t think he’d know what you mean by this ;-)

    • Howardhhkwok on 29/04/2024 - 17:11

      I think this is the problem that the mechanic indicated. He said there are little liquids seeping out beside the foot brake. Great to know it’s a well known failure point. As I don’t know anything about this. Thx for your comment.

      • MS Paint on 29/04/2024 - 17:21
        +2

        It's just 2 o-rings that perish so has nothing to do with the previous visit to the mechanic. There's a couple of clips which will probably brake break during removal as well.

        Parts should be cheap but I suspect the mechanic quoted on replacing the complete matrix. If the mechanic is small and flexible it's possible to gain access but if he has big manly hands there's a bit of labour involved in dismantling the surrounding trim.

        If I lived near you I would do it for a slab of XXXX and a pack of winnie reds next Sunday afternoon.

  • jv on 29/04/2024 - 16:38
    -1

    As the break light wasn’t working after the car service as well

    Was it working before ?

    • MS Paint on 29/04/2024 - 16:38
      +3

      True. It may have already been braken.

  • MS Paint on 29/04/2024 - 16:41
    +3

    by replacing the bearing kit.

    Which bearing was it specifically?

    800aud labour fees

    Well just be grateful it's not 800USD or 800£ Sterling.

  • Ocker on 29/04/2024 - 16:58
    -1

    Rather than expect OZBer's to provide a sight unseen accurate response, why not go to a second mechanic for an authoritative opinions?

  • jrecard on 29/04/2024 - 17:08

    Plastic end tanks and fittings on radiators can let go without an extra second of notice, chances are there were no leaks when it left.

  • JIMB0 on 29/04/2024 - 17:49

    You're going to get to know your mechanic well with this car. I'd be getting rid of it and buying something else.

  • Drakesy on 29/04/2024 - 20:47

    Coolant leaks happen randomly, there's really no way to prove that in a week that they mechanic caused it

  • AustriaBargain on 29/04/2024 - 20:55

    If the car is otherwise in good shape, don't lose your cool(ant) and pay to get it fixed. Ask the mechanic for an opinion of the car over and beyond the service. Can you expect to spend thousands maintaining it in the years ahead, or other than the coolant leak is it actually a thrifty and reliable thing to own for the next few years. You didn't even tell us how many km it has done.

    • MS Paint on 29/04/2024 - 21:07

      We don't need to know the kms. It's a focus with the PowerShift transmission. The car is naturally destined for an early death.

    • JIMB0 on 30/04/2024 - 03:52

      The mechanics children will be going to private school thanks to this car.

      • AustriaBargain on 30/04/2024 - 04:48

        I would say find an honest mechanic, but that quest would probably cost more than the car to complete.

  • yellowfever on 29/04/2024 - 23:45

    Yep price is reasonable

  • doctordv8 on 30/04/2024 - 15:04

    After you report back here with a post Service Inspection Report by another workshop, and report back here with an Overheat Inspection Report from another workshop, we can advise you accordingly.

    There may or may not be any connection bar it is a 2nd hand vehicle, and coincidence.

    Have you ever had a Service performed and your Mechanic called to say there were repair issues as well as Service items required?

    Same same, a Service or singular repair will not make your vehicle as new again, nor will it say exactly when the next fault/issue will appear.

    They are Second Hand from day two, and failures occur from driving, and age.

    Sorry, our Crystal Balls are off duty this week.

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