Hi all,

Currently in the process of getting a 68 plate petrol 1L Focus ST-Line X. I believe its the Ecoboost 125 with 123bhp if that helps?

Now are these belt or chain? The stories I been reading today about the ecoboom engines scare me to be honest. And i am 50/50 about pulling out the deal. Its on 59930 miles and had a new 12 months MOT put on today. I will be getting a 24 month warranty on it from the dealership.

Any help please?

Thank you.

Both

So I think I have read right but just wanted confirmation. The timing belt is a chain. But the oil pump is still a belt?

37 minutes ago, Hellboy said:

The timing belt is a chain. But the oil pump is still a belt

Correct.

We are assuming this is a Mk 4 (current shape) Focus on which case chain cam drive, wet belt for oil pump.

I have seen very late examples of the previous Mk 3.5 for sale on a 68 plate, though, in which case wet cam belt.

Example here:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140159022?

 

2 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

We are assuming this is a Mk 4 (current shape) Focus on which case chain cam drive, wet belt for oil pump.

I have seen very late examples of the previous Mk 3.5 for sale on a 68 plate, though, in which case set cam belt.

Example here:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140159022?

 

Its a mark 4

9 minutes ago, unofix said:

Correct.

Even though its a early Mark 4. Would these just not have the engines from the 3.5 and still have a wet belt for the timing?

15 minutes ago, Hellboy said:

Would these just not have the engines from the 3.5 and still have a wet belt for the timing?

No.

The Focus Mk4 never used the older engine.

12 minutes ago, unofix said:

No.

The Focus Mk4 never used the older engine.

Shows what I know. So this car should be ok?

1 minute ago, Hellboy said:

So this car should be ok?

Maybe, or then again, maybe not. It is after all a 1.0 Ecoboom no matter how you look at it.

3 hours ago, Hellboy said:

 So this car should be ok?

There have been a few instances of problems with oil pump belts, but not to the extent we've seen with wet timing belts on the earlier version.

The remaining issue, though, is that the oil pump belt is still scheduled to be changed at 10 years max, and the job is virtually as involved and expensive as changing the belts on the earlier version. 

2 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

There have been a few instances of problems with oil pump belts, but not to the extent we've seen with wet timing belts on the earlier version.

The remaining issue, though, is that the oil pump belt is still scheduled to be changed at 10 years max, and the job is virtually as involved and expensive as changing the belts on the earlier version. 

How much are we looking at for a change?

 

The car is 6 and a half years old and on 60k. So I have roughly 3 and half years or 40k miles to sort it? I only do about 6k a year. So got some time to save for it.

23 minutes ago, Hellboy said:

How much are we looking at for a change?

Between £1000 and £1850 depending on who does the work

The work needs to be done BEFORE the car is 10 years of age.

Just now, unofix said:

Between £1000 and £1850 depending on who does the work

The work needs to be done BEFORE the car is 10 years of age.

So by when does it need doing?

Just now, Hellboy said:

So by when does it need doing?

It's something of an unknown at the moment. With the wet timing belt people started changing them at around 8 years of age. Since this engine only has a wet oil pump belt then I'd suggest getting it done at 9 years of age. Don't leave it longer. If the belt fails you will only have a minute, two if you're lucky to pull over and switch off. Loss of oil pressure can cause serious damage to these engines very quickly.

6 minutes ago, unofix said:

It's something of an unknown at the moment. With the wet timing belt people started changing them at around 8 years of age. Since this engine only has a wet oil pump belt then I'd suggest getting it done at 9 years of age. Don't leave it longer. If the belt fails you will only have a minute, two if you're lucky to pull over and switch off. Loss of oil pressure can cause serious damage to these engines very quickly.

I'm seriously considering pulling out of this deal tbh. I currently have a Mk3.5 1.5TDCI but really fancied a mk4. But this is really putting me off.

2 minutes ago, Hellboy said:

but really fancied a mk4. But this is really putting me off.

Would I buy a 1.0 Ecoboost ? No !!

The most reliable engine seems to be the 1.5 EcoBlue. Like all modern engines it has issues but in the grand scheme of major failures it has the least.

1 minute ago, unofix said:

Would I buy a 1.0 Ecoboost ? No !!

The most reliable engine seems to be the 1.5 EcoBlue. Like all modern engines it has issues but in the grand scheme of major failures it has the least.

Sadly it was the only one I could get. It is from a main dealer so I do get a two year warranty that covers the belt.