Whatever you do you should not start the engine. Running the engine in this condition will cause excessive wear or even catastrophic engine failure.

Be aware that this type of engine has an oil pressure switch and not an oil pressure sensor. If the oil pressure warning light is activated by the PCM the oil pressure has been lower than the minimum oil pressure that is required to activate the switch. A flashing oil pressure light indicates that there is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. When the oil pressure light flashes or is constantly illuminated the engine should be shut down immediately and only be restarted after the cause of the low oil pressure is solved.
 

Before removing the sump you could have the oil filter removed, cut open and checked for dirt or debris. The dirt or debris inside the oil filter can indicate what is possibly wrong. Apart from this removing the sump is the only way to diagnose the cause of the low oil pressure.

Replacing the wetbelts of the 1.0 ECOboost is a labour consuming job that requires loads of (expensive) special tools. I have seen too many times that independent garages attempted to replace the wetbelts and seriously messed things up. In my opinion if the wetbelts need to be replaced you should have it done by an authorized Ford dealer or independent Ford specialist that has the knowledge, special tools and experience to perform this job.

The filter was cut open. It was starting to clog with rubber from the belt as suggested. 
 

I have a new filter on now. 
 

The garage said they can’t do the belt as they don’t have the tools or experience. I’ve tried 3 others in the area, 2 said ‘no chance’ and 1 said they’d never done it before but would try. I walked away..!

I’ve found a Ford specialist who seems to know what they’re talking about. They want £1,250 for the belt, oil flush, full clean out and new filter again. Said it’s a days work. 
 

The garage is 6 miles away. Do you think I’m OK driving that far at low speeds to get it there? I had it recovered this morning before the oil filter was changed for a new one but I can’t get it recovered again now as they’re classing it as the same fault. 
 

On the plus side, the engine seems fine at present as oil was getting through the filter still. Seems I stopped just in time and followed the advice of you lot - thanks very much 😄

16 minutes ago, Pebbleheed said:

They want £1,250 for the belt, oil flush, full clean out and new filter again. Said it’s a days work. 

£1250 is a fair price, and yes it will take between 8 and 10 hours. If they are thinking of doing an oil 'flush' then it had better only be done with the normal engine oil and NOT with flushing oil. The use of flushing oil will cause the new belts to degrade and fail.

I fear that you may be going to spend a lot of money getting the belts changed only to have the engine fail in a short time afterwards. You might be better saving your money and consider replacing the engine. There is no real easy answer from the position you are in, but don't rush in to spending that sort of money unless you feel sure that the engine is still in a good condition.

Is there any way to check for this?

The knocking I thought was coming from the engine appears to have been coming from a roof box I had on. The engine isn’t knocking. 
 

I’m hoping I caught the oil issue in time. But could it have already trashed the engine and if so, would it be easy to spot?

The engines are very sensitive to oil starvation and major damage can occur in only a few minurtes. Its very difficult to tell without fully dismantling the engine which would cost almost as much as a brand new one (new engine is about £2500).

I've just noticed that your engine has already done nearly 90,000 miles which means there would already be some wear of the major components. I have to say that I'd probably not spend £1250 on trying to save it.

Same thing has happend with my 1.0l ecoboost 2015 plate focus although it has only done 49,500 miles there was no loss in power etc just that the oil light flashed then stayed on and engine management light came on with engine knocking noise 

3 minutes ago, Kevin graham said:

Same thing has happend with my 1.0l ecoboost 2015 plate focus although it has only done 49,500 miles there was no loss in power etc just that the oil light flashed then stayed on and engine management light came on with engine knocking noise 

Have you had it fixed?

Every garage i phoned and spoke to said they wouldn't touch it and suggested I take it to ford as the belt seems to have failed prematurely and it seems a common fault with the 1.0l ecoboost engine

My serious advice would be:

If the belt is gunna cost £1250, taking into account what the car is actually worth with having 90,000 miles+ on it and the low oil pressure warning light is no longer coming on, drive it down to we buy any car.com and get rid of it. Quickly

Is it really that likely to die soon?

3 minutes ago, Pebbleheed said:

Is it really that likely to die soon?

Who would want to take the risk on a car not worth the investment??

Why spend £1250 or even £2500 on a new engine, it won't gain any value.

There's plenty of newer cars around, put the £2500 towards a better one.

Get rid👍

I agree with @DaveT70, get rid of it ASAP. Save your £1250 and put it with the money from selling the car.

Not sure how I can sell it while it’s under powered and needs the belt sorting though?

We buy any car offered £5,500 online for it (I know they’ll knock it down) in a running state. 
 

If I turn up with the engine light on and it being under powered I suspect I’ll get peanuts. It feels like I need to spend the £1,250 to maximise what I can get from it. 

Ok, think about trying this.

We buy any wreck.com are offering £5500 on line but we both know that they would never pay that. They would at best possibly give you £5000.

So now take off the £1250 that you are thinking of spending, and drive the car round to them and see what they offer. Anything they offer over £3750 is a saving to you of real pound notes.

If they offered you £3800 take it and run as fast as you can.

1 hour ago, Pebbleheed said:

Not sure how I can sell it while it’s under powered and needs the belt sorting though?

We buy any car offered £5,500 online for it (I know they’ll knock it down) in a running state. 
 

If I turn up with the engine light on and it being under powered I suspect I’ll get peanuts. It feels like I need to spend the £1,250 to maximise what I can get from it. 

We buy any car don't test drive, they just start them up then spend fourteen weeks looking for stone chips.

As long as the low oil lamp or engine warning light isn't on they don't care.

Interesting. 
 

I can clear the engine management light with my bluefin.

I presumed they’d test drive the car. Didn’t realise they didn’t. 
 

I have a few chips and small dings on the bodywork here and there. I expected they’d drop the price based on those. 

Yep, knock about £300-500 off what they've offered you and get rid.

It’s gone!

Sold today and got quite a bit more for it than I thought I’d get to be honest. 
 

I’m looking for replacements. Potentially another Focus, but swinging more towards a C-Max. 
 

Anything to avoid?

I don’t think I’d get another eco boost. 

Unless you want diesel, there is very little option these days, you could get an e-scooter 🤣

What about the 1.5 Diesel ?

I’m looking at the 2011 model. Used. 
 

I’ve found a couple of 1.6 petrol models. And a few diesel. 
 

I’m always weary of diesel in terms of ULEZ issues (my city moves to that next year) and emissions issues / DPF issues. Are they ok on Fords?

1.6 petrol is a good option. In fact most Ford engines with a full FOUR cylinders is a good option !

10 hours ago, Pebbleheed said:

I don’t think I’d get another eco boost. 

Difficult to avoid as Ford petrol turbos are all branded "ecoboost" but I guess you mean the 1.0?😀

I had a Mk 2 C-Max for a while. That had the 182ps version of the 1.6 Ecoboost but I didn't think it offered a great advantage over the 150ps in that car.

I did feel a 2.0 diesel would have suited the C-Max better, if it would work for your circumstances. I had a 140ps 2.0TDCI Focus for about 3 years and that was fine.

 

 

Don’t the other ecoboost petrol engines have the same issues?

 

I always assumed the 1.6 petrol engine was more reliable and cheaper to fix than the ecoboost / petrol turbo engines?