Hello guys, I've just "inherited" an MK2 Focus from 2005, 1.6 petrol the 100hp version. The car currently has around 60k miles and servicing has been done at least every 6-7000 miles.

The car being almost 19 years old, I'd guess a lot of the gaskets are already cooked, so what are some preventive maintenance tips? What should I start changing so I don't have problems with oil leaks in the future (the engine is already leaking oil and I suspect it's the crank seal since there's oil around that area probably because it's spraying it everywhere while driving)? The timing belt is also around 7 years old and I'm about to change it too.

Thanks!

The engine on these is pretty bullet proof with a proper wet belt. Yes, your plans to change timing belt are sound. The main enemy of your age car (I also have same) is rust. You'll be getting cosmetic rust on both wings, and also rear sills. My driver side rear sill was an MOT failure this year but I got it repaired. My rear sub frame also corroded badly a while back so that was also replaced. If you can keep her wrapped up in somewhere warm it may last a few years yet 😂 You may also go through a few bonnet locks, and rear hatch handles, both known to be very unreliable.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the other thing that may be a issue is the instrument cluster. This era car Ford used lead free solder which over time deteriorates and gives all manner of electrical gremlins. There is a whole plethora of folk that re solder them, not big money, but you should look out for it...

42 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

with a proper wet belt. 

Is that a misprint?😀

3 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Is that a misprint?😀

OMG, well, you knew what I meant LOL (Of course should have been 'dry' belt). I should know by now not to watch TV whilst typing in the FOC, my brain isn't big enough to multi task 🤣

2 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Is that a misprint?

Possibly not, the cars leaking oil and spraying it everywhere including the timing belt 🤣

15 minutes ago, unofix said:

Possibly not, the cars leaking oil and spraying it everywhere including the timing belt 🤣

It's not THAT bad 🤣

It's not even noticeable on the dipstick, it just looks like it's sweating oil, the problem is that it's in a lot of places, good thing I noticed it before it got worse 🤣

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

The engine on these is pretty bullet proof with a proper wet belt. Yes, your plans to change timing belt are sound. The main enemy of your age car (I also have same) is rust. You'll be getting cosmetic rust on both wings, and also rear sills. My driver side rear sill was an MOT failure this year but I got it repaired. My rear sub frame also corroded badly a while back so that was also replaced. If you can keep her wrapped up in somewhere warm it may last a few years yet 😂 You may also go through a few bonnet locks, and rear hatch handles, both known to be very unreliable.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the other thing that may be a issue is the instrument cluster. This era car Ford used lead free solder which over time deteriorates and gives all manner of electrical gremlins. There is a whole plethora of folk that re solder them, not big money, but you should look out for it...

Thanks! Yeah, the rust is already there on one of the wings, rear subframe looks okay-ish somehow but still needs to be refurbished at this age. I know about the instrument cluster problems, it's not that big of a job I heard, only the 16 pin connector needs to be resoldered.

3 minutes ago, naminu said:

... it's not that big of a job I heard, only the 16 pin connector needs to be resoldered.

Just make sure if you need it, you get someone reliable to do it, they'll check the whole thing, not just bits of it. At this age, many repairs don't make business sense, some individual repairs have cost me in excess of £300, so with your head, you should move on. But if like me, you may not be able to afford to 'move on', you just keep the old girl on the road. Also, isn't that ultimately the 'green' thing to do rather than scrapping it??

3 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Just make sure if you need it, you get someone reliable to do it, they'll check the whole thing, not just bits of it. At this age, many repairs don't make business sense, some individual repairs have cost me in excess of £300, so with your head, you should move on. But if like me, you may not be able to afford to 'move on', you just keep the old girl on the road. Also, isn't that ultimately the 'green' thing to do rather than scrapping it??

With the prices they charge nowadays for repairs, yeah it doesn't make sense. The good thing is that I like doing most mechanical jobs myself, previously having a problematic car can bring out the mechanic in you 😂 

And yes, I'm in the same spot as you, I can't really let her go and since she's low mileage I'm guessing if I maintain it properly it will still be a good car for the next few years.