I'm currently looking at buying a new (to me) Ford Focus MK4. 

I've been driving automatics for the past 10 years so I really don't want to go back to manual. Maybe it won't be as much of a shift (excuse the pun) to get used to a manual again as I'd imagine but when you've driven automatics for the past decade it's really hard to imagine going back to using your left leg and left arm to change gears constantly.

That being said I am not against the idea completely, if a manual car is going to be more reliable and fun to drive then it's not out of the equation. 

I've reserved a 2019 1.0 Ecoboot Auto with 60k on the clock to go and see this week and I'm wondering what things I should be looking out for. I understand the newer 8 speed gearbox is much better than the powershift variant I've been driving for the past 5 years, it was ok but didn't half judder sometimes.

As I understand it the gearbox is sealed for life, or does it need maintenance?

The car has a full service history, 4 services in 60k so one every 15k miles.

I plan to keep the car for quite a few years and maybe even replace the wheels with the ST Line X at some point - would that be possible?

With it being 60k and out of warranty, does the oil pump, being wet belt, need maintenance and when / what cost. This I think would be the most important thing to check?

I have read a few discussions on here about people's automatic gearboxes slipping into higher revs between changes - is this a rare problem ? I'd rather have a manual than find in 5-10k miles it'll produce the same issues.

Ideally I'd prefer the 1.5 Ecoblue but finding one within budget and with an Auto gearbox... they are few and far between.

Thanks for any advice

Get a VAG or a BMW 1 Series

2 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

Get a VAG or a BMW 1 Series

I just don't like the look of them or the interior unfortunately. 

Then definitely search hard for a 1.5 Ecoblue auto, the gearbox is way stronger for the engine (it's the same as the 2.0) and the engine is quite good. They're out there

Expect around 48-52MPG

I wouldn't recommend the 1.0

Drain and refill fluid every 40,000 miles

Remember MK4 Focuses suffer with low battery voltage issues and autos need full voltage to operate the solenoids and pump so keep the battery fully charged

2 hours ago, smr said:

I plan to keep the car for quite a few years and maybe even replace the wheels with the ST Line X at some point - would that be possible?

You may have seen them, but there have been a few posts on here from ST- L X owners looking to do the opposite and fit smaller wheels as they found the ride on 18s too firm.

1 hour ago, DaveT70 said:

Then definitely search hard for a 1.5 Ecoblue auto, the gearbox is way stronger for the engine (it's the same as the 2.0) and the engine is quite good. They're out there

Expect around 48-52MPG

I wouldn't recommend the 1.0

Drain and refill fluid every 40,000 miles

Remember MK4 Focuses suffer with low battery voltage issues and autos need full voltage to operate the solenoids and pump so keep the battery fully charged

How do you keep the battery fully charged? 

3 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

You may have seen them, but there have been a few posts on here from ST- L X owners looking to do the opposite and fit smaller wheels as they found the ride on 18s too firm.

Fair point, I prefer comfort over looks

3 minutes ago, smr said:

How do you keep the battery fully charged? 

 

22 hours ago, unofix said:

All modern cars have a constant drain on the battery even when parked. A good condition, fully charged battery will reach the point of being technically flat in about 14 days' if not used. It's all in the name of emissions, saving the dolphins and most important of all, keeping Greta Thunberg  happy (if that's even possible).

You need to buy a Smart battery charger if you don't already have one, and expect to charge the vehicle 12V battery every 5 weeks or so. Sadly this is not a Fiesta/Focus problem or even a Ford problem, all new cars do the same. The alternator is programmed to provide the minimum charge that it can to the battery to keep emissions down. The maximum it will ever charge the battery to is 80% of capacity and that will only be achieved by regular driving of a good few miles. The precise number of miles depends on how many times you start the engine each day, and are the wipers or headlights on. Do you use the heated screens or heated seats, the list is endless. My personal guess would be during the winter months you need about 20 miles each trip. Others here will have their own idea of how many miles, but there are too many variables to be able to give an exact number.

Smart Battery Charger often used is the Maypole (other makes are available).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maypole-7423A-Battery-Charger-Electronic/dp/B009A83P1E/ref=sr_1_5_pp?crid=1SCBU5CKW1YQX&keywords=maypole+battery+charger&qid=1707754121&quartzVehicle=29-10519&replacementKeywords=maypole+battery&sprefix=maypole%2Caps%2C388&sr=8-5

 

3 minutes ago, unofix said:

 

 

Thanks, exactly the kind of advice I'm after. So pop the hood every 5 weeks and charge the battery  - how long does it take each time?

 

Also, with regards to oil pump maintenance, what things should I check or be doing maintenance wise to make sure that is all ok.

1 minute ago, smr said:

So pop the hood bonnet every 5 weeks and charge the battery  - how long does it take each time?

About 12 hours should keep it topped up enough. With the Focus Mk4 you can use FORScan and adjust the the factory default level of charge from 80% and increase it to something like 95% which many of us here have done.

5 minutes ago, smr said:

Also, with regards to oil pump maintenance, what things should I check or be doing maintenance wise to make sure that is all ok.

1.5 Ecoblue Diesel just needs regular oil changes it's pretty trouble free

2 minutes ago, smr said:

So pop the hood every 5 weeks and charge the battery  - how long does it take each time?

That rather depends on the state of the battery at the time. 

I charge my Fiesta every 6-8 weeks (using a C-tek MX-S 5.0, which as the name suggests is 5A). Best to be prepared to leave it for the day - I tend to let it go through a full cycle which takes 9-12 hours. 

With most "smart" chargers you can leave it on indefinitely if you're able to do so and they go into "maintenance" mode, topping up as necessary to maintain full charge.

56 minutes ago, unofix said:

About 12 hours should keep it topped up enough. With the Focus Mk4 you can use FORScan and adjust the the factory default level of charge from 80% and increase it to something like 95% which many of us here have done.

And stupid question but this applies to both Diesel and Petrol ? 

54 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

1.5 Ecoblue Diesel just needs regular oil changes it's pretty trouble free

And with the petrol? 

If the wet belt oil pump did fail does it wreck the entire engine?

22 minutes ago, smr said:

And stupid question but this applies to both Diesel and Petrol ? 

Yes, both

And with regards to the wet belt what is the actual maintenance for it  ? I'm really not sure how it works. Can someone explain what needs doing in terms of maintenance, I've read that it should not be flushed or something which obviously you won't know whether it ever has buying it with miles on the clock. 

 

1 hour ago, smr said:

And with regards to the wet belt what is the actual maintenance for it  ? I'm really not sure how it works. Can someone explain what needs doing in terms of maintenance, I've read that it should not be flushed or something which obviously you won't know whether it ever has buying it with miles on the clock. 

A wet belt it just a belt that's constantly coated by engine oil while running. 

In theory this keeps the belt supple and as low friction as possible.  That should increase longevity as well as reducing noise and emissions.  (It's a toothed belt, so won't slip when lubricated like a poly-v belt on an alternator would).

Trouble is, the belt material is very delicate and easily attacked by pretty much anything this isn't pure, fresh engine oil in exactly the correct spec...  That's where all the problems come from.

All you can do is make sure the oil is changed at regular intervals with the correct spec.  Never use a flush.  Avoid frequent short journeys or long periods unused.

The oil pump belt on Mk4 is recommended replacement at 10 years or 144k miles.  It is a massive job with a 4 figure price.

This is only for the 1.0 EcoBoost.  There is no wetbelt on the 1.5 EcoBlue.

Are there anythings to look out for on the diesel engine (1.5) ?

8 hours ago, smr said:

Are there anythings to look out for on the diesel engine (1.5) ?

Not really

12 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

All you can do is make sure the oil is changed at regular intervals with the correct spec.  Never use a flush.  Avoid frequent short journeys or long periods unused.

Oh dear, this is mostly my usage pattern; practically not used in the week, and a couple of journeys about town of a weekend. May have to start doing oil changes every 6 months.

(Or trade in and buy pre-EcoBoom Fez considering I never use my car anyway).

14 minutes ago, karlbbb said:

May have to start doing oil changes every 6 months.

Probably a good idea.

14 minutes ago, karlbbb said:

(Or trade in and buy pre-EcoBoom Fez considering I never use my car anyway).

Or have a look at other newer cars without wet belts, e.g.VW group 1.0 triples - Polo/Ibiza/Fabia or Up/Mii/Citigo if you can cope with a smaller car.

 

7 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Or have a look at other newer cars without wet belts, e.g.VW group 1.0 triples - Polo/Ibiza/Fabia or Up/Mii/Citigo if you can cope with a smaller car.

Probably a good shout, although there's a little bit of me that likes the idea of a banger so I care very little about where it's parked at the supermarket getting dinged etc.

34 minutes ago, karlbbb said:

Probably a good shout, although there's a little bit of me that likes the idea of a banger so I care very little about where it's parked at the supermarket getting dinged etc.

I'm with you there. My wife has a Mii which has been very good, and still immaculate after 10 years - apart from the trolley ding someone kindly gave it a few months ago!

I've just had a read around on the facebook group 'Ford EcoBoost Nightmare'

The top post when I went on it for the first time is a MK4 2020 1.0EB with a £7,500 quoted repair bill by Ford. I haven't read about any MK4 EB's breaking down on this forum but it just shows that they can, it must have been the oil pump belt knackering the engine?

Anyway, I'm looking for an Ecoblue