# 2007 Ford Focus - temp gauge rises on long drives

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-temp-gauge-rises-on-long-drives/132669>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** focus, ford\
**Created:** [January 15, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-temp-gauge-rises-on-long-drives/132669 "2019-01-15T00:45:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Livolsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@Livolsi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Livolsi)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-temp-gauge-rises-on-long-drives/132669/1 "2019-01-15T00:45:34Z")

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Hi  
the temperature gauge slowly moves to red while riding a longer distance (parkway etc). When the heat is put on full the needle will slowly go back to middle. A new radiator was put in but it’s still a problem. Ford dealer says a leak but my mechanic does see any.

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 1:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-temp-gauge-rises-on-long-drives/132669/2 "2019-01-15T13:17:23Z")

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Are you loosing coolant? If so then a leak is a possibility.  
If not, the problem is elsewhere.  
Is the parkway a low speed zone? Possible your fan is not switching on.

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 2:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-temp-gauge-rises-on-long-drives/132669/3 "2019-01-15T14:16:14Z")

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Assuming the radiator is the correct one for this car, I agree with looking at the fan next.

Keep in mind that you want to solve this as quickly as possible. Overheating a car repeatedly or severely can cause serious damage.

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-temp-gauge-rises-on-long-drives/132669/4 "2019-01-15T15:47:29Z")

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Was the old radiator corroded?  
Has coolant been changed on the recommended schedule (typ. 5-7 years)?  
Has the head gasket been checked for leakage?

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**Author:** ![Buzzmeok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Buzzmeok](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Buzzmeok)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-temp-gauge-rises-on-long-drives/132669/5 "2019-01-15T16:58:58Z")

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Could be bad thermostat. Check to see if your oil looks OK and no antifreeze in it. Not much to these cars. Check the low speed fan relay. Its in your fuse box inside the engine compartment. or the fan resister its against the fan housing.

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**Author:** ![Buzzmeok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Buzzmeok](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Buzzmeok)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-temp-gauge-rises-on-long-drives/132669/6 "2019-01-25T16:48:21Z")

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Was this ever fixed?