Just purchased this 2011 plate 1.6 sport with 68k on the clock. It's been regularly serviced but have noticed that the power steering is really heavy. Should power steering oil be replaced regularly and at what intervals.  Have seen posts re tyre pressure etc but any other clues?

I'm assuming you have a late Mk 2 Focus? Some versions have variable settings for the steering - Comfort, Standard and Sport, Comfort being the lightest, Sport the heaviest.

Could be worth playing with that if you have the option on your car.

1.6 diesel - EHPAS - Dash variable

1.6 petrol - full hydraulic PAS - Not variable

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

1.6 diesel - EHPAS - Dash variable

1.6 petrol - full hydraulic PAS - Not variable

I had it on my 2.0TDCi, but my mate always claimed he had it on his pre-facelift 1.6 115ps Ti-vct Ghia which I think was a pretty rare trim/engine combo. I'd forgotten about it until coming across this thread and iirc the Ti-vct was only available on the Zetec S by the end of the Mk 2.

Even if it were true for the Ti-vct the "run out" 1.6 Sport had the "normal" 100ps engine, so I guess the OP wouldn't have it anyway.

Ah well, back to the drawing board.

 

I'm not aware of any 1.6 petrol Mk2 using EHPAS.

34 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I'm not aware of any 1.6 petrol Mk2 using EHPAS.

No, other than my mate's claim (and he's not to be relied on when it comes to anything technical!😀), me neither.

I never drove the car in question, so can't be certain, but I doubt it. (That said, until recently we thought all revised 1.0 Ecoboosts in the Fiesta Mk 8 were MHEV, and now we know otherwise, so maybe Mr Ford has other surprises for us!)

(I'm not 100% sure of anything these days, except I don't like cheese!😀)

1 minute ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

(I'm not 100% sure of anything these days, except I don't like cheese!😀)

Not even Wensleydale?

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

Not even Wensleydale?

Nope!

It occurs to me we haven't helped much with the original question.

Back in the days of hydraulic PAS, a couple of my cars did over 100k with no change of fluid and no change to the steering feel.

I had a look back through older threads and while there are a few on changing the PAS fluid, none mention this being because of steering weight.

Couldn't find a reference to recommended change interval on the Mk 2 either, or even if there is one?

Fair point.   

There isn't a Ford recommended change interval for PAS fluid.

I suspect the steering just feels heavy because the OP has come from a car with either EPAS or EHPAS.

It is possible that the wrong fluid has been used which has damaged the pump and potentially the rack but I'm not even sure which type of fluid should be in a 2011 Mk2 with full hydraulic PAS.  I would have thought green but that's not with any certainty and even the manuals can't be relied on for this.  Ideally need someone with access to current Ford systems to check.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

I suspect the steering just feels heavy because the OP has come from a car with either EPAS or EHPAS.

Could be. There's so much in modern cars that is subjective - ride, seat comfort, blah blah. Even with EPAS there are amazing differences between cars - for instance when I jump into our Mii from the Fiesta after not driving it for a while, it feels as if the steering has no resistance whatsoever!😀

Hi Gents, sorry I hadn't realised that you had been replying to my original question.  I've only just signed up to this owners club and assumed I'd get an email or something to notify me that a response had arrived🙄.  Anyway, thank you for your responses.  It may be that the difference from my previous 2011 fiesta is very different as you have suggested.  According to MOT check, the front suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn lower bush, both sides gave a FAIL 10k miles ago, but were replaced to effect a subsequent PASS, so I presume everything is in order in that department?

With regard to your assumption that it is a late Mk 2 Focus, how can I tell?  All I know is that the vehicle was registered in April 2011. 

Thanks for your replies, I'll keep looking for more!

Gary

10 hours ago, Gary WW said:

With regard to your assumption that it is a late Mk 2 Focus, how can I tell?  

See below: Silver one is Mk 2, White is Mk 3.

 

We also had a Mk 7 Fiesta and a Mk 2 Focus at one point - the Fiesta was notably lighter to steer.

Thanks Eric, mines definitely a Mk 2. All your help appreciated. Not much more to add, other than I'll have to get used to it 😉 

Gary