Q: 2004 ford focus wagon overheats randomly then kools

asked by on August 02, 2017

2004 ford focus wagon overheats randomly then kools when pressing gas or when stopped for 3 minutes. If overheats to quickly steam will come out. last year Changed the fan, water pump housing and thermostat. But started overheating again about 2 months ago.

My car has 150000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle may be having issues with the components you already replaced, or there may be another problem. At this point, you will want to look into the engine temperature sensors, the radiator cap, coolant level and condition, and the thermostat. You can scan the vehicle for diagnostic codes (even without a warning light) to see if the computer had detected an issue with the sensors. Intermittent issues can also be caused by a sticking thermostat. From there, make sure the fans are turning on when they are supposed to. Only further testing will tell. If you would like assistance with diagnostics, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Surges of power on downhill
The issue you are having sound like either the throttle is not returning to a closed position or your transmission went into overdrive lock up when you let off of the accelerator pedal. Contact YourMechanic to go through a thorough...
Opinion about a 2004 Mazda 3 with manual transmission
It's a 12-year-old car. I'm assuming you didn't pay too much for it. It can be a good first car. I'm a Toyota man myself. I'm not a big fan of Mazda, because their automatic transmissions are not the best,...
Loss of power and squalling noise
Hello. When you're getting a squealing noise and a loss of power, most of the time it is caused by a failing accessory. The most common causes are the alternator, water pump or a/c compressor bearings failing and dragging down...
Car vibrates and burning smell in wheel
If the brake caliper has failed, a replacement could repair the vibration issue. The most likely cause of the low speed idle is a parking brake failure, brake system issues, drive axle failure, or a bent wheel. A qualified technician,...
Stalls/Dies only in reverse - 1991 Dodge Dakota
Hey there, thanks for writing in. You'll need to check that the shifter linkage has not rubbed against any wires causing a short. If they are fine, your most likely culprit may be the neutral safety switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/neutral-safety-switch-replacement). To pinpoint...
My truck is making a chattering sound when accelerating and when shifting - 2011 Ford F-150
Hello. This is a problem of which Ford is aware, and there are several Technical Service Bulletins from Ford for this issue (#15-0114 and #11-11-6 among them). Check with your Ford service center regarding this issue, and look to these...
Transmission goes into reverse but not drive.
This is likely a sign of low transmission fluid. I would recommend checking the fluid first to see if this does not fix your issue. If this does not solve the problem, this may be a faulty transmission control solenoid....
White smoke out tailpipe.
If there was oil splattered all over the bottom of the vehicle, there is a good chance that the smoke you are seeing may just be excess oil that is being burnt off of the hot motor and exhaust. To...
My car has rough idle. When I give it gas the car won't accelerate.
At your car's age and mileage, it really could be just about anything. And since the self diagnostics on the car are not very sophisticated, it's going too take some old-school diagnostic work. If you are behind on any of...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Undercover Cop
If If you're an undercover cop, when you choose a used vehicle, your main purpose is to look like anything but a cop. That means, of course, that an unmarked Crown Victoria is probably not the wisest choice. We’ve evaluated...
How to Buy a Good Quality Heater
In In the dead of winter, when the cold air is nipping at your heels, nothing is better than climbing into a nice, toasty warm car. However, having a heater problem like a heater that blows cold air or leaks...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Florida in 2012
Florida Florida offers great weather year round, and the fact that snow and ice never factor into the equation means drivers don’t have to focus on the overall vehicle handling as they do in other states. The best selling cars...