Hi there,

Does anyone know whether the 1.5 3 cylinder ‘dragon’ engine in the mk 4 focuses has had any revisions since it was introduced c.2019? 

Have made it to 90k in my 2019 mk 4 150bhp variant and now have a cracked piston and broken piston ring. I think I’m going to replace the engine rather than go for a rebore but am interested to know whether I need to check build dates for the replacement to ensure I get one with any revisions that were made.

I suppose I’m lucky to have got to 90k with no issues but still a sad day! 

Many thanks,

Simon 

 

 

The ones fitted to Focus MK4 Cars that were built before 14/01/19 were different, they did not have a Wet Oil Pump Belt.

I have no information about any other changes.

18 minutes ago, Tizer said:

The ones fitted to Focus MK4 Cars that were built before 14/01/19 were different, they did not have a Wet Oil Pump Belt.

I have no information about any other changes.

Thanks John

That's the only change I've seen affecting the 1.5 Dragon which is also in the Mk 8 Fiesta ST in a slightly higher state of tune. There does seem to be a slight question mark about the exact date - some sources I've seen say January 2019, some February 2019. E.g. see below.

Not sure if Simon's car is a 19 or 20? Post says 19, profile says 20.

 

Many thanks Roger, that’s really helpful, mine is a 2019 but not sure the build date of the engine. 

25 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

That's the only change I've seen affecting the 1.5 Dragon which is also in the Mk 8 Fiesta ST in a slightly higher state of tune. There does seem to be a slight question mark about the exact date - some sources I've seen say January 2019, some February 2019. E.g. see below.

Not sure if Simon's car is a 19 or 20? Post says 19, profile says 20.

 

14/01/19 Was the Build Date for the Focus, which was probably the start of production after the Christmas break, I have also seen that the date for the Fiesta and other cars was not necessarily the same.

Incidentally the Service Oil Fill for the newer Engine is 5.05L not 6.1L and I know that for a fact because I do my own Oil changes, 5L fills it to the top nicely.

@SB active X estate, was it Cylinder No 1 that was faulty?, if so then I can't help thinking that it has something to do with Cylinder Deactivation. I now run my car exclusively in Sport Mode to deactivate it (except when I forget), If there is any fuel saving then it is not noticeable and the car feels much better.

2 minutes ago, SB active X estate said:

not sure the build date of the engine. 

The Build Date I quoted was for the car, not the Engine.

22 minutes ago, SB active X estate said:

Many thanks Roger, that’s really helpful, mine is a 2019 but not sure the build date of the engine. 

There's quite a lot of info on build dates etc, on this earlier thread if you want to wade through.

Certainly on the Fiesta there's a build sticker on the rear (drivers side) of the block which you can just get a shot of it you stick your phone down there.

The shot below is of my engine which was built in Mexico in November 2022 though the car was assembled in Cologne in Feb 2023. The dates tended to be a lot closer before production of the 1.5 ended in Europe.

21 hours ago, Tizer said:

14/01/19 Was the Build Date for the Focus, which was probably the start of production after the Christmas break, I have also seen that the date for the Fiesta and other cars was not necessarily the same.

Incidentally the Service Oil Fill for the newer Engine is 5.05L not 6.1L and I know that for a fact because I do my own Oil changes, 5L fills it to the top nicely.

@SB active X estate, was it Cylinder No 1 that was faulty?, if so then I can't help thinking that it has something to do with Cylinder Deactivation. I now run my car exclusively in Sport Mode to deactivate it (except when I forget), If there is any fuel saving then it is not noticeable and the car feels much better.

Hi John, not sure which cylinder yet but yes that was my suspicion too. Do you know whether driving in sport mode prevents the cylinder de-activation from kicking in?

11 minutes ago, SB active X estate said:

Hi John, not sure which cylinder yet but yes that was my suspicion too. Do you know whether driving in sport mode prevents the cylinder de-activation from kicking in?

Yes, it does. 

Sport mode then all the way in future! Cheers