Thanks for the responses guys. Its all really helpful information. I do have it booked in for a cambelt change but they cant fit me in for another week 😬

Right, another update on this.

I took it to a local independent garage this morning. The guy there was super helpful considering the such short notice I gave him. Basically, he told me that it sounds quite serious and that I'd need to get it to a Ford engine specialist. Although he's an expert mechanic, he says it really needs a look at from a Ford Specialist as it does sound like piston slap. I do have 8 months warranty on this car so I've called up the warranty company to get the ball rolling. The mechanic also suggested that I go to Ford and get a diagnosis from them so that I can go to the warranty company with the diagnosis from an official garage. However, I called up the Warranty company and they specifically told me not to go to a Ford dealership, but go to a local independent for a diagnosis and a quote for repair. 

With that in mind, it is now booked in with a local Ford Engine specialist in my area for next Monday.

I've never really had much dealings with warranty claims. Do they tend to pay out if something is found to be wrong with a car?

14 minutes ago, Pburgess2208 said:

I've never really had much dealings with warranty claims. Do they tend to pay out if something is found to be wrong with a car?

Their whole job is selling as many warranties as they can and paying out on as few as possible...so I wouldn't expect an easy ride.  Hopefully I'm wrong though!

50 minutes ago, Pburgess2208 said:

Right, another update on this.

I took it to a local independent garage this morning. The guy there was super helpful considering the such short notice I gave him. Basically, he told me that it sounds quite serious and that I'd need to get it to a Ford engine specialist. Although he's an expert mechanic, he says it really needs a look at from a Ford Specialist as it does sound like piston slap. I do have 8 months warranty on this car so I've called up the warranty company to get the ball rolling. The mechanic also suggested that I go to Ford and get a diagnosis from them so that I can go to the warranty company with the diagnosis from an official garage. However, I called up the Warranty company and they specifically told me not to go to a Ford dealership, but go to a local independent for a diagnosis and a quote for repair. 

With that in mind, it is now booked in with a local Ford Engine specialist in my area for next Monday.

I've never really had much dealings with warranty claims. Do they tend to pay out if something is found to be wrong with a car?

I'm new to the car world, but I have a lot of experience with legal contracts (such as warranties). They probably wanted an independent garage because its easier to get the experts the warrantee people use to dispute what the garage you use says. Definitely use a Ford specialist would be my advice. It's going to be hard for any warranty legal department to dispute what Ford say about their own car. 

Warranty will also want the cheapest quote possible, which won't be Ford. But at the end of the day if Ford say something wrong then the Warranty people can pay what it costs. 

If the warranty people are telling you not to use Ford I smell them already looking to deny you. 

50 minutes ago, Pburgess2208 said:

Right, another update on this.

I took it to a local independent garage this morning. The guy there was super helpful considering the such short notice I gave him. Basically, he told me that it sounds quite serious and that I'd need to get it to a Ford engine specialist. Although he's an expert mechanic, he says it really needs a look at from a Ford Specialist as it does sound like piston slap. I do have 8 months warranty on this car so I've called up the warranty company to get the ball rolling. The mechanic also suggested that I go to Ford and get a diagnosis from them so that I can go to the warranty company with the diagnosis from an official garage. However, I called up the Warranty company and they specifically told me not to go to a Ford dealership, but go to a local independent for a diagnosis and a quote for repair. 

With that in mind, it is now booked in with a local Ford Engine specialist in my area for next Monday.

I've never really had much dealings with warranty claims. Do they tend to pay out if something is found to be wrong with a car?

I'm new to the car world, but I have a lot of experience with legal contracts (such as warranties). They probably wanted an independent garage because its easier to get the experts the warrantee people use to dispute what the garage you use says. Definitely use a Ford specialist would be my advice. It's going to be hard for any warranty legal department to dispute what Ford say about their own car. 

Warranty will also want the cheapest quote possible, which won't be Ford. But at the end of the day if Ford say something wrong then the Warranty people can pay what it costs. 

If the warranty people are telling you not to use Ford I smell them already looking to deny you. 

2 minutes ago, Eli_P said:

I'm new to the car world, but I have a lot of experience with legal contracts (such as warranties). They probably wanted an independent garage because its easier to get the experts the warrantee people use to dispute what the garage you use says. Definitely use a Ford specialist would be my advice. It's going to be hard for any warranty legal department to dispute what Ford say about their own car. 

Warranty will also want the cheapest quote possible, which won't be Ford. But at the end of the day if Ford say something wrong then the Warranty people can pay what it costs. 

If the warranty people are telling you not to use Ford I smell them already looking to deny you. 

Ah right, ok, so do you think I should just go to Ford anyway to get it diagnosed, even though its an older vehicle? I might just get in touch with the place I bought it from and get my money back. Yes, I would have lost the cost of me servicing it, but I'm starting to get the feeling that they knew this car had underlying issues. I'm starting to feel like I've been scammed 😩

2 hours ago, Pburgess2208 said:

Ah right, ok, so do you think I should just go to Ford anyway to get it diagnosed, even though its an older vehicle? I might just get in touch with the place I bought it from and get my money back. Yes, I would have lost the cost of me servicing it, but I'm starting to get the feeling that they knew this car had underlying issues. I'm starting to feel like I've been scammed 😩

Giving it back sounds like a plan. Hopefully it goes smoothly for you. If it's a troublesome car you could end up in a wormhole of repairs. 

4 hours ago, Pburgess2208 said:

I'm starting to get the feeling that they knew this car had underlying issues. I'm starting to feel like I've been scammed 😩

It's a difficult one with used cars. You're allowed to sell a car which you know has issues so long as its road legal and youre not knowingly selling a car which will kill someone. If it's passed MOT, then essentially problems aren't the dealers concern.

I'm not going to say it again as I've already pointed you to CA advice, but it is getting worse and worse, I suggest garage ARE responsible depending on how it was sold to you of course  however CA advice does seem quite clear.

If they are asking you to go down the warranty route and you accept that then you would have to comply with whatever conditions that company puts on their contract. They will be wanting to minimise their costs and if you go anywhere else other than their recommended garage then they won't pay and you are on your own?

Check the seller first using CA advice and if you are outside their contract conditions (although I don't see why unless it's a long time since the purchase, or otherwise)  then you may have to use the warranty route and meet their conditions. Personally, I'd get rid if possible as it sounds serious.
Ooops I've said it multiple times, and won't post again, over to you!

5 hours ago, Pburgess2208 said:

Do they tend to pay out if something is found to be wrong with a car?

No, never. Good luck with the court case !!

Thanks guys. I have it booked in with a Ford Specialist Garage on Monday so I'll find out then whats properly wrong with it and how much it will cost to repair. I've let the trader know this and I will be returning the vehicle if it is beyond repair. I've looked into the warranty company (Handler Protect) and its not a good read about them and it sounds like they will always get out of paying their claims. It's gut-wrenching to think I will have to hand it back, I've cleaned it, and given it a fresh service including spark plugs and apart from the noise, it drives really well 😞 . I'll see what the specialist says and go from there, but it does seem like I'll be handing the car back. My only major issue with that is that they are in Milton Keynes and I live in Kidderminster. I feel like I've properly messed up with this one 😩.

 

 

sadly that’s the problem with Ford's they pressed the self destruct button making almost no model with an engine that's safe to buy - new or second-hand - unless you want to kill with a tractor

if you go another brand watch out for wetbelt issues - ford weren’t the only criiminals

 

1 hour ago, Pburgess2208 said:

Thanks guys. I have it booked in with a Ford Specialist Garage on Monday so I'll find out then whats properly wrong with it and how much it will cost to repair. I've let the trader know this and I will be returning the vehicle if it is beyond repair. I've looked into the warranty company (Handler Protect) and its not a good read about them and it sounds like they will always get out of paying their claims. It's gut-wrenching to think I will have to hand it back, I've cleaned it, and given it a fresh service including spark plugs and apart from the noise, it drives really well 😞 . I'll see what the specialist says and go from there, but it does seem like I'll be handing the car back. My only major issue with that is that they are in Milton Keynes and I live in Kidderminster. I feel like I've properly messed up with this one 😩.

 

 

If you get another one I recommend a MK2. 2005 to 2007. I have a 55 reg and it's lovely. Doesn't look as sporty as the newer ones but still handles very nicely 

27 minutes ago, Botus said:

if you go another brand watch out for wetbelt issues - ford weren’t the only criiminals

 

This is why i went for the 1.6t as its dry belt. I went into the deal knowing full well that I needed to service the car and change the cambelt which is why i got it for a good price. I did not expect this to happen at all.

 

11 minutes ago, Eli_P said:

If you get another one I recommend a MK2. 2005 to 2007. I have a 55 reg and it's lovely. Doesn't look as sporty as the newer ones but still handles very nicely 

I've had two other focusses previously, a 2002 mk1.5 1.8 TDCi and a 2005 mk2 1.6. Both of these cars we excellent and we do have a 2016 Kuga as well so I really do like Fords. I think I've just bought a lemon with this one, which is a real shame because its been my favourite to drive. I'm just praying that by some miracle the garage finds it not to be as bad as I'm imagining and I can just get it fixed as well as the planned cambelt change and I'll have a beautifully running Focus for many years to come. I can dream I suppose  

is it not of the ecoboom design regardless ?

I'm not an expert - we have her 1.6 VVTI at 166k miles just had to change the cam cover gasket - the cams look like new

but it is the world's most gutless engine and not as economical as it should be - they left 20 bhp and 10 mpg in the engineering shop somehow

6 minutes ago, Pburgess2208 said:

This is why i went for the 1.6t as its dry belt. I went into the deal knowing full well that I needed to service the car and change the cambelt which is why i got it for a good price. I did not expect this to happen at all.

 

I've had two other focusses previously, a 2002 mk1.5 1.8 TDCi and a 2005 mk2 1.6. Both of these cars we excellent and we do have a 2016 Kuga as well so I really do like Fords. I think I've just bought a lemon with this one, which is a real shame because its been my favourite to drive. I'm just praying that by some miracle the garage finds it not to be as bad as I'm imagining and I can just get it fixed as well as the planned cambelt change and I'll have a beautifully running Focus for many years to come. I can dream I suppose  

The engine to get is a 1.5tdci, but NOT the eco blue thing. None of them are without problems im sure but the 1.5 is a dry belt and hasen't got any stupid chains on camshafts and the like. Thats why i went for that config. Not a £1000 plus wetbelt sh**e change either.

1 hour ago, Botus said:

is it not of the ecoboom design regardless ?

I'm not an expert - we have her 1.6 VVTI at 166k miles just had to change the cam cover gasket - the cams look like new

but it it the world most gutless engine and not as economical as it should be - they left 20 bhp and 10 mpg in the engineering shop somehow

The 1.6 EcoBoost doesn't share much at all with the 1.0 EcoBoost.  It's basically just a 1.6 Ti-VCT with a turbo bolted on.  Uses the same dry cambelt setup as those do.

3 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The 1.6 EcoBoost doesn't share much at all with the 1.0 EcoBoost.  It's basically just a 1.6 Ti-VCT with a turbo bolted on.  Uses the same dry cambelt setup as those do.

I as I mentioned I don't know - my sister swapped the vvti (we've now got), for some brand new titanium Mk 3 2014 petrol turbo thing ... it needed the clutch slip software recall - I thought those ones all self destructed  - she threw it in a skip after it got a misfire

I have my car booked in to a Ford Specialist on Monday who will hopefully diagnose the cause. In the meantime I have been scaring the living beegeeebeees out of myself by searching for similar engine noises on YouTube. One very scary video with a similar noise was actually rod bearing failure. Has anyone experienced rod bearing failure before on their engines, particularly the 1.6t ecoboost fitted to mk3 focuses? The clattering noise that I am hearing only happens when the engine is warm and only in lower gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Surely if my issue was a rod bearing I'd hear the clatter in all gears and from start up. I do hope it isn't rod bearing failure as this will surely mean a new short block, bearings, pistons, rods, £0,000's.... 😧

1 hour ago, Pburgess2208 said:

I have my car booked in to a Ford Specialist on Monday who will hopefully diagnose the cause. In the meantime I have been scaring the living beegeeebeees out of myself by searching for similar engine noises on YouTube. One very scary video with a similar noise was actually rod bearing failure. Has anyone experienced rod bearing failure before on their engines, particularly the 1.6t ecoboost fitted to mk3 focuses? The clattering noise that I am hearing only happens when the engine is warm and only in lower gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Surely if my issue was a rod bearing I'd hear the clatter in all gears and from start up. I do hope it isn't rod bearing failure as this will surely mean a new short block, bearings, pistons, rods, £0,000's.... 😧

Personally I'd just wait until feedback from Ford. Your wellbeing will thank you for leaving the car alone for a few days. 

56 minutes ago, Eli_P said:

Personally I'd just wait until feedback from Ford. Your wellbeing will thank you for leaving the car alone for a few days. 

LOL, thanks Eli_P you're probably right 😁

6 hours ago, Pburgess2208 said:

I have my car booked in to a Ford Specialist on Monday who will hopefully diagnose the cause. In the meantime I have been scaring the living beegeeebeees out of myself by searching for similar engine noises on YouTube. One very scary video with a similar noise was actually rod bearing failure. Has anyone experienced rod bearing failure before on their engines, particularly the 1.6t ecoboost fitted to mk3 focuses? The clattering noise that I am hearing only happens when the engine is warm and only in lower gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Surely if my issue was a rod bearing I'd hear the clatter in all gears and from start up. I do hope it isn't rod bearing failure as this will surely mean a new short block, bearings, pistons, rods, £0,000's.... 😧

on a rod you have two bearings...   

the big end and to me it doesn't sound like that - is deeper more violent noise than the light chatter I hear in the video
the other end (at the piston) is the little end and is a much simpler bearing and it gets less abuse than the big end - in the old days they seldom failed - but with today’s engines made of chocolate and utterly crap pistons used these days as they don't anticipate the vehicle lasting 5 minutes - I guess it could be (but not convinced).

either way if it lets go - there's is no way dealer will take the car back - they will state you abused it and stand their ground - very low load 1/8 th throttle, and low revs (under 2k rpm) and little use (less than 10 miles) would still be a mistake till people that know these engines offer their expertise...

Thanks Botus, for your insight on this 👍.

I took it to a specialist today. They took it out and told me it would need a full strip down to find the cause of the issue and then it would need to be fixed. He said it could be a number of things and all pretty expensive. I really don't want to, but I'm going to have to hand it back 😞 . Either that or get a partial refund from the seller and source and fit another engine. The engines I've seen on ebay for around 1k with only 39k miles and under warrenty. It's very tempting tbh.

In the history that I do have with this car. The gearbox was replaced in March last year.

17 hours ago, Pburgess2208 said:

In the history that I do have with this car. The gearbox was replaced in March last year.

Sounds like a lemon. Walk away!

You are right @mjt it is a complete lemon and I have been scammed good and proper. The seller is refusing to take the car back stating that it was a private sale, even though her advert said it was a trade and when we asked her both on the phone and in person when we collected the car she said she was trading cars from her home, as she had a few for sale at the time. She's now ignoring my messages and phone calls, so it looks like I will be proceeding with a court hearing. In the meantime, I'm going to have to borrow more money to get it fixed and back on the road. I've certainly learnt the hard way with this one. I just hope that the warranty that she sold with the car pays out, but I'm not holding my breath judging by the reviews online. That was another reason why we believed it was a trade sale, she was offering with the car 8 months warranty with a company call Handler Protect. 

Luckily for me though, there is an amazing company in Stourbridge which is just down the road from me called EcoPerformance. I've been in contact with them and they will be able to replace my engine. So it will be good to know that the engine is being installed by professionals who know these EcoBoost engines well. Also it would be nice to keep this car on the road as its a really nice car that drives and handles really well.