Is there any major problems with this engine? Is automatic transmission good now (as powershift wasnt) or should you go for manual?

Is this right:

-Early ecoblue engines don't have Adblue fitted? (it might be problematic in cold enviroment)

-conventional dry timing belt and oil pump driven directly from crankshaft means no clogged oil pump from wet belt material

-Engine has small chain that joins the 2 camshafts. This chain is 7mm in early models and can be problematic was later replaced with better 8mm.

How common are problem with it, how much does it cost to replace that chain and can you check if it is in fine condition, so it doesnt break right after you buy car?

Correct.

The cam chain is the main issue with these.  Very difficult to tell how common it is, but we seem to get 2 or 3 a month on here lately, and you can see plenty more on Peugeot forums as well.  (Branded BlueHDi on those).

There's no easy way to check the chain when you buy it.  Replacement costs are likely to be around £800 as it requires a cambelt change at the same time.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Correct.

The cam chain is the main issue with these.  Very difficult to tell how common it is, but we seem to get 2 or 3 a month on here lately, and you can see plenty more on Peugeot forums as well.  (Branded BlueHDi on those).

There's no easy way to check the chain when you buy it.  Replacement costs are likely to be around £800 as it requires a cambelt change at the same time.

How often timing belt have to be changed in this engine? If I buy car with belt change coming soon little cheaper I could get chain replaced at same time and then there shouldnt be any major problems with this engine for long time.

 

And about alternatives, are they any good?

-2.0 has wet timing belt? (not a good thing)?

How are petrol versions for Mk4 Focus? Timing chain but oil pump is driven by wet belt?

14 minutes ago, Kopperssi said:

How often timing belt have to be changed in this engine? If I buy car with belt change coming soon little cheaper I could get chain replaced at same time and then there shouldnt be any major problems with this engine for long time.

 

And about alternatives, are they any good?

-2.0 has wet timing belt? (not a good thing)?

How are petrol versions for Mk4 Focus? Timing chain but oil pump is driven by wet belt?

Cambelt interval is 10 years or 120,000 miles in the UK.  So yes if you can buy one needing a belt, it would be well worth upgrading to the thicker chain at the same time.

2.0 EcoBlue does have wetbelts as you say.  They also have Adblue.

The petrol engines are 1.0 or 1.5, both chain cams with wetbelt oil pump.

If I had to choose a Mk4 again myself, it would be the 1.5 EcoBoost petrol.  But the oil pump belt would always be in my mind.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Cambelt interval is 10 years or 120,000 miles in the UK.  So yes if you can buy one needing a belt, it would be well worth upgrading to the thicker chain at the same time.

2.0 EcoBlue does have wetbelts as you say.  They also have Adblue.

The petrol engines are 1.0 or 1.5, both chain cams with wetbelt oil pump.

If I had to choose a Mk4 again myself, it would be the 1.5 EcoBoost petrol.  But the oil pump belt would always be in my mind.

And if previous owner had added wrong oil due to oil consumption during change intervals or even worse, whole oil change done even once with oil missing just right oil specs suitable for wet belt, there is most likely damage to belt and degration have started. As welt belts need just right oil, some may and many will just take same viscosity and add it.. Changing oil pump belt requires removing timing chain also?

1 minute ago, Kopperssi said:

And if previous owner had added wrong oil due to oil consumption during change intervals or even worse, whole oil change done even once with oil missing just right oil specs suitable for wet belt, there is most likely damage to belt and degration have started. Changing oil pump belt requires removing timing chain also?

Yes that's correct.  Replacing the oil pump wetbelt will cost even more on the chain engines than the older wet cambelt engines.

Not yet decided should I get it or not. Feels like all new(ish) engines have as bad or even worse problems. Dry belt, oil pump driven directly from crankshaft, no adblue are good very things.

 

Are both transmission options good? A8, manual.

The auto in these is 8 speed torque converter I think.

I have seen 2 or 3 that needed to be replaced under warranty on here.  That doesn't like many but I don't know how many autos were built compared to manuals.  

@DaveT70 might be able to offer more advice on this particular auto.

My two pennies on the Focus Mk4-4.5 Ecoblue engine issues. Engine ZTDA is taken from PSA DV5RC, also sold to Peugot/Citroen/Opel-Wauxhall/Toyota models under many names.

With Ecoblue engines a later modification was done to increase the size of the camshaft chain to 8 mm and strengthen the camshafts. What need to be done, at purchase of the second hand Focus with Ecoblue engine is to check the number on the camshaft cover (in the middle, RH side has logos of the Ford, PSA). If number on the camshaft cover is 98 305 804 80 this Ecoblue has 8 mm camshaft chain so you're on the safe side. If number is 98 126 472 80 than you need to replace your timing chain (there's a kit available with new chain, camshafts, cover and seals...approx 800-900 GBP for parts) ASAP.

The biggest obstacle would be to persuade the seller to remove the decorative engine cover so you can check for the number but..

Hi Ned ,I've got a 2020 1.5 ecoblue and I've just checked the numbers on my cam cover and mine has 90 305 804 80 does this mean it's been upgraded or was it built with it ,I've had the car for 6 months and there's no paperwork to back it up .

On 3/20/2025 at 6:32 PM, Ned_Mk2_1.8tdci said:

My two pennies on the Focus Mk4-4.5 Ecoblue engine issues. Engine ZTDA is taken from PSA DV5RC, also sold to Peugot/Citroen/Opel-Wauxhall/Toyota models under many names.

With Ecoblue engines a later modification was done to increase the size of the camshaft chain to 8 mm and strengthen the camshafts. What need to be done, at purchase of the second hand Focus with Ecoblue engine is to check the number on the camshaft cover (in the middle, RH side has logos of the Ford, PSA). If number on the camshaft cover is 98 305 804 80 this Ecoblue has 8 mm camshaft chain so you're on the safe side. If number is 98 126 472 80 than you need to replace your timing chain (there's a kit available with new chain, camshafts, cover and seals...approx 800-900 GBP for parts) ASAP.

The biggest obstacle would be to persuade the seller to remove the decorative engine cover so you can check for the number but..

 

@TomsFocus isnt just cheaper for older version to replace just with same only new 7mm chain and it could last next 70k miles? Part shouldnt cost more than 100 vs newer version with camshafts around 700-800?

I would also like to know if anyone has gone down this road and just replacing the 7mm Cam Chain instead.