spagball Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 I've had a 2005 Focus 1.6 Ghia Automatic since 2016. It's been a great car never gave me any trouble. Was going to change recently but now decided not to I think I can get another 40000mls from this car. When I got it, it had 65000 miles, since then I've changed oil and filter every year and plugs once and also I changed air filter (bit of a nightmare but eventually sorted it) Also did discs pads etc My question is with a Focus of this age and mileage what should I do to keep it going? I think I should change gear box oil but auto gears are working fine so if I changed oil could it cause problems (if it's not broke don't fix it) also could I change gear box oil myself or do I need to go to a garage? (But I like to do stuff myself if I can, if auto gearbox change is like an oil change then I can do it) What else can I do as a diy mechanic to keep my car on the road? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark-UK Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 In my last 2 cars ( a Nissan and a Toyota) I drove over 100K, if you've kept on top of the service it'll not be the engine or gearbox that kills it off, but rust or worn rubber seals and the like , The Toyota MR2 I did 125K and it was rust that did, it, the Nissan Micra 110K failed suspension spring, then a drive shaft snapped.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Heaton Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Spot on yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F0CUE Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 3 hours ago, spagball said: I've had a 2005 Focus 1.6 Ghia Automatic since 2016. It's been a great car never gave me any trouble. Was going to change recently but now decided not to I think I can get another 40000mls from this car. When I got it, it had 65000 miles, since then I've changed oil and filter every year and plugs once and also I changed air filter (bit of a nightmare but eventually sorted it) Also did discs pads etc My question is with a Focus of this age and mileage what should I do to keep it going? I think I should change gear box oil but auto gears are working fine so if I changed oil could it cause problems (if it's not broke don't fix it) also could I change gear box oil myself or do I need to go to a garage? (But I like to do stuff myself if I can, if auto gearbox change is like an oil change then I can do it) What else can I do as a diy mechanic to keep my car on the road? Thanks Was the timing belt done when you got it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamweb Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Regular oil changes and keeping a look out for the dreaded tin worm is the best maintenance you can do.I always do an oil and filter change around 4000 miles.Pay particular attention to the top suspension strut housings they are water traps and could be an expensive welding fix 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Andy Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Mark-UK said: In my last 2 cars ( a Nissan and a Toyota) I drove over 100K, if you've kept on top of the service it'll not be the engine or gearbox that kills it off, but rust or worn rubber seals and the like , The Toyota MR2 I did 125K and it was rust that did, it, the Nissan Micra 110K failed suspension spring, then a drive shaft snapped.. I know what you mean - my previous car was a SEAT Exeo (rebadged Audi A4) that I'd bought from new. Had it for 9 years, got close to 100k miles without any problems and then suddenly all the wiring (and I mean ALL the wiring) started to disintegrate, apparently because the year I bought it was also the year that they changed over to biodegradable wiring! I was really gutted because it was a great car and one silly manufacturering decision meant that if I wanted to keep it running I'd have to replace all the wiring from one bumper to the other and everything in between! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catfish79 Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Reading this with interest.Ive owned my 2004 Mk1 for 10 years and love it but rust will get it eventually .When do you call it a day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamweb Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 49 minutes ago, catfish79 said: Reading this with interest.Ive owned my 2004 Mk1 for 10 years and love it but rust will get it eventually .When do you call it a day? I'm in a similar position to you.Two years ago i spent £500 on welding.I said to myself if anymore welding needs to be done then that will be the end.Passed latest MOT with only a minor advisory so it's had a reprieve👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catfish79 Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Result William!! It’s a crying shame because body panels are usually in great nick.Subframe rot and I bet your welding was in the suspension mounting areas? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamweb Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 2 minutes ago, catfish79 said: Result William!! It’s a crying shame because body panels are usually in great nick.Subframe rot and I bet your welding was in the suspension mounting areas? yep, in the rear👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamweb Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 rear seat belt mounts/fixings as well👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g1zm0 Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 Get timing belt and tentioners done , if that snaps then new.engine, while getting that done get the water pump.replaced and the auxiliary belt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spagball Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 Thanks for info sorry for late reply, I have noticed the car has started to feel different in the last year doesn't feel so firm and solid as before and definitely not as responsive to acceleration, also had to change the exhaust and a spring in last six months will look into timing belt and tensioners but think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy a more up to date model but I like automatics and 2012 Focus Automatic 1.6 to 2.0 range from around £5000 to £6000 grand so maybe I'll have to go for a manual this time to save a few quid or go for a Cat N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spagball Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 Just changed oil and filter and checked all wheel nuts now going to garage to get Timing Belt and Tensioner changed and water pump and also auxiliary belt how much should this cost? Priced timing belt and tensioner and water pump costs £80 but sure going to be alot more to fit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamweb Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 On 8/10/2020 at 7:29 PM, spagball said: Just changed oil and filter and checked all wheel nuts now going to garage to get Timing Belt and Tensioner changed and water pump and also auxiliary belt how much should this cost? Priced timing belt and tensioner and water pump costs £80 but sure going to be alot more to fit I had mine changed on my MK1 four years ago at 84000 miles and cost me approx £250 at a local independent👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark-UK Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 £80 for timing belt I guess that's plus labour. Now I don't want to worry you, but on my Nissan diesel Micra, the local garage (not dealer) did mine cheap at £570, as it's a near 8 hour job due to most of the engine having to come out. Now you look at something like an old Capri and it's a 5 min job at most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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