29 replies to this topic

[mkelbie]

Looking for some experienced help with my focus as I am in a position now where I either just get rid of continue with diagnosising/repairing faults.

I have owned the car since beginning of this year and got it from a family friend who put the initial 60K on it and I have got it to 87K.

Some repairs I expect as they are serviceable parts but they all add up and the cost is getting a concern now.

Problems;

I had an issue with my handbrake, sometimes the cable felt like there was no tension but I live on a hill and every morning my car was still at the top. I needed new pads so opted for discs and pads all round see if that helped with the handbrake problem. It did initially but now some morning my back wheels are locked on for a split second and I don't know if it is still the same problem or the cold weather.

The outlet pipe on my turbo split and I bought the replacement from fords which they would only sell in 2 parts. Anyway I replaced that and it seems to of sorted that but now the second rubber pipe which joins the metal pipe with the sensor keeps coming loose no matter how much I tighten the clip. Before I replaced this part I had a whistling noise which was the ripped pipe. This noise stopped once replaced (few weeks ago) but now I have another noise which sounds like a swooshing or electric car noise. Hard to describe but I can't pin point it. Upon hearing this noise I have been driving listening to anything and everything and found more problems

I can hear like a distant train noise which is a belt or something that may be loose? Not sure what this is nor do Fords. There is no power loss or any issues with the cars driving but it does concern me so not sure if anyone has any suggestions. I called the AA out about both noises and he took my car for a drive and came back with no engine problems but a wheel bearing sounds faulty and recommended I get a second opinion.

Took it to kwik fit on my way home yesterday, he drove the car said no issues with my bearings but my air box was loose. Went to fords who also said no issues with bearings but I need a full new airbox as the bottom clips wasn't holding the screws in place.

I am looking at getting a second hand airbox and replacing it myself but not sure if its even worth it as it seems its going to be fault after fault from now. I have serviced my car twice this year already and it will be getting a 3rd if I keep it but looking for feedback of experienced owners. I do a lot of miles and given its close to 90K now should I let it go or will the problems I am having be easy fixes and plenty of life left in my car. Don't want to continue spending money on a car which end is closer than expected.

I know next big spend is timing belt, not sure on cost but ideally if can get it serviced with a new air box fitted(salvage) then all its due then is the belt I will be happy if the car can at least last me another 2 years (avg 22k a year).

Sorry for the long post but its been a nightmare and want to give as much info as possible so you lot can advise as best as you can.


Thanks

[Steve]

Hi Mate and welcome to the club

My suggestion would be to break up each issue and post them in the Focus section. Clear titles. You may find you will get a better results and answers mate.

[mkelbie]

I will have to investigate it further and try take it 1 step at a time. Will just order this air box and see how it goes from there.

Do anyone recommend extended warranties? AA are trying to upgrade my cover and also been told about Warranty Direct; more expensive but covers a lot more.

[mkelbie]

Can an Admin move this too correct section please

[NorthSussex]

The hand brake sticking on for a second then pinging off with a clunk is normal, it's just a bit of rust forming on the rear discs, that's providing your car has discs on the rear. Number 1 problem solved I hope.

[cragger89]

I had the AA breakdown cover which worked as a warranty. I paid £25 a month whilst owning a BMW and it was a lifesaver because the car was a lemon.

Eventually as can be seen from my profile I replaced it with a much more modern and younger focus and am very pleased I have done so.

If you do a lot of miles (which you are) I personally would get the AA breakdown cover as well, but be warned, you pay an excess each time it is used and I promise you, the AA will not pay 100% of each repair bill. It is better than nothing, but if you're having trivial problems, I wouldn't bother with the AA cover as you could be spending an extra £25 every month for no reason. If you can do the repairs yourself, I definitely would not bother with an extended warranty.

[mkelbie]

The hand brake sticking on for a second then pinging off with a clunk is normal, it's just a bit of rust forming on the rear discs, that's providing your car has discs on the rear. Number 1 problem solved I hope.

Yes it has discs on the rear and they are only a few months old. Thanks for cross 1 off my list

[mkelbie]

I had the AA breakdown cover which worked as a warranty. I paid £25 a month whilst owning a BMW and it was a lifesaver because the car was a lemon.

Eventually as can be seen from my profile I replaced it with a much more modern and younger focus and am very pleased I have done so.

If you do a lot of miles (which you are) I personally would get the AA breakdown cover as well, but be warned, you pay an excess each time it is used and I promise you, the AA will not pay 100% of each repair bill. It is better than nothing, but if you're having trivial problems, I wouldn't bother with the AA cover as you could be spending an extra £25 every month for no reason. If you can do the repairs yourself, I definitely would not bother with an extended warranty. I will always have a go at basic repairs but I don't even know what is wrong with my car at the moment.

I have Home Start cover free with my bank, but after calling them out they are trying to sell me a more expensive package. £140 on top of what the bank pays them gets me warranty repair + the cover that takes you home no matter how far away you are. I have printed off and read the T&Cs for the warranty repair and it doesn't seem to be very good. I thought get that then log the electrical fault with the Rev counter get a new cluster; not covered. Bearings; not fully covered and then finally the unknown problem which AA said alternator but I think fly wheel or something along those lines again not covered.

[Steve]

i have moved this to the correct section

[artscot79]

For one sticky rears in the colds common
The dash going up when started means its in dash test mode which means the battery is faulty likely a faulty cell
2nd hand airbox will solve that issue

[mkelbie]

Battery seems fine, its only the rev needle that is up. And it stays like that. It shows like 6000rpm at idle. I will get the battery tested but I think its the cluster, tempted to try take it out and force the needle back to correct place.

Going to get the 2nd hand airbox see what that does to help.

Thanks a lot.

[Pitmonster]

Sticky rear brakes first thing in the morning is common with rear discs

Happens to me when it rains - the water causes a very light surface corrosion on the disc, and this makes the rear brakes stick as you pull away from rest the first time. Slow down a few times and the friction cleans the discs and sorts it all out

I would imagine you are experiencing a similar thing. Cold weather causes condensation to form on the discs, which freezes and causes the sticking.

It nothing to worry about and perfectly normal.

[cragger89]

Yup. the AA breakdown cover is not really that great. I managed to get a leak sorted by telling the AA that my BMW's coolant level light came on when I got home and the engine bay was soaked in coolant. What had actually happened is, the water expansion bottle had failed leaking slowly and I had no cash to do the repair myself. So I made it look worse and got the AA to sort it.

Ended up getting the radiator and the expansion tank replaced which totalled about £300.00 - I only had to pay 65 quid. Of course, I'd been paying £25 a month for nearly a year, so really, I broke even.

[talksy]

Heating; sometimes when I turn it on there's what I can only describe as a squeaky noise coming from the fans. Again not sure if this is the weather but the pressure on my fans doesn't seem to be as good.

Hi, I can help with this. I had the same problem on my 2009 tdci. Lucikily under warranty. Ford had it for a week. Got it back and squeeking was still there. It was worse the more the fan was blowing ie speeds 3 and 4 and was much more noticable on full heat.

Took it back to Ford again, they had it for 2 more weeks, had to remove both driver doors, the entire dash, replaced heating matrix, fan motor, regassed air con.. I think you get the idea, it was a massive job. I would learn to live with it. I was lucky my warranty covered it or I would have left it.

My squeeking used to come from the passenger side. Hope that helps.

You have had a lot of hose and pipe leaks is this common? I wouldn't have expected them to just break or split seeing as they are under the bonnet and wouldn't get knocked or brushed that often. Can any one on here suggest why this might be?

[mkelbie]

The only pipe that has split was off the turbo. Pressure over time causes that, few posts on here have all said its a common fault. I replaced that along with a metal pipe it attaches too. The new pipe and the old pipe joining together was a small problem, kept coming loose but I have sorted that now. Only thing I believe I need to get is new screws or replacement air filter box to make it more secure and I am good to go. Hopefully my car continues to run perfectly for me now. I am debating 3rd party warranty for peace of mind given what I thought over the last few days was going to cost me a fortune.