Hi all,

Would appreciate some advice. I'm looking at buying a 2017 Eco-boost with 46k on the clock. I've heard that the main issue with the Eco-boost engine is the Wet belt. Should I go for it or as a local mechanic advised, steer clear?

No.

Because of the wet belt issue?

No, and yes to wet belt. 

What the esteemed members are trying to say is don't touch it with a very long bargepole because of the wetbelt.

9 minutes ago, Doughal said:

Because of the wet belt issue?

Yes.

2017 1.0 EcoBoost is already a bad idea because you could spend a little more to get the revised chain type engine in a Mk4 from 2018.

But that particular is definitely worth avoiding due to the low mileage.  Means it's either done a lot of town traffic, or spent long periods unused, both of which degrade oil more quickly meaning even more wetbelt risk on this car.

If you really want a 1.0 EcoBoost, I would recommend either buying a Mk3.5 that has already had the belts changed (with genuine proof) or sending a bit extra for a Mk4 to get the revised chain engine, which only has a small wetbelt for the oil pump.

10 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Yes.

2017 1.0 EcoBoost is already a bad idea because you could spend a little more to get the revised chain type engine in a Mk4 from 2018.

But that particular is definitely worth avoiding due to the low mileage.  Means it's either done a lot of town traffic, or spent long periods unused, both of which degrade oil more quickly meaning even more wetbelt risk on this car.

If you really want a 1.0 EcoBoost, I would recommend either buying a Mk3.5 that has already had the belts changed (with genuine proof) or sending a bit extra for a Mk4 to get the revised chain engine, which only has a small wetbelt for the oil pump.

But NOT an auto👍

11 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

f you really want a 1.0 EcoBoost, I would recommend either buying a Mk3.5 that has already had the belts changed (with genuine proof) or sending a bit extra for a Mk4 to get the revised chain engine, which only has a small wetbelt for the oil pump

I would say yes you could buy a 1.0 mk3 if it is in good condition. But you would better change the wetbelt the next day (even if there is no issue) to be certain the car is fine.

Otherwise 1.0 mk4 would be a nice choice.

 

13 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

No.

Thanks for the advice guys. Think I'll stick to my Mk2 for now and bite the bullet with the repairs and maybe look to but a Mk4 in a year or two. 

1 minute ago, Doughal said:

Thanks for the advice guys. Think I'll stick to my Mk2 for now and bite the bullet with the repairs and maybe look to but a Mk4 or Mk5 in a year or two. 

There isn't going to be a Mk5 Focus.  Focus factory production is ending next month. 

We are currently expecting a Focus sized EV to appear with a different name, but no evidence to support that so far.

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Mk5 Focus

Thats what i was going to write.

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

There isn't going to be a Mk5 Focus.  Focus factory production is ending next month. 

We are currently expecting a Focus sized EV to appear with a different name, but no evidence to support that so far.

Edited. Thanks for the info Tom.

Hi guys. Thanks for the advice. What's the general consensus on the 1.5 and 2 litre Eco-boosts that use chain drives?

5 minutes ago, Doughal said:

Hi guys. Thanks for the advice. What's the general consensus on the 1.5 and 2 litre Eco-boosts that use chain drives?

If you're looking at Focus's, the 2.0 EcoBoost is only available in the Mk3 proper ST.  So much more expensive to buy than the 'normal' versions.

Mk3 Focus 1.5 EcoBoost has a common cooling system fault which looks like headgasket failure at first glance, but ends up needing engine replacement (or major repairs).  But also uses a dry belt, not a chain or wetbelt.

If you want a 1.5 EcoBoost with a chain then you need to look at Mk4's.  They use a 3 cylinder 1.5 with chain cams and a small wetbelt for the oil pump.  These have been more reliable so far.

It is now considered prudent to change the wet belts at 8 years rather than 10 as specified by Ford. So, you're looking at a 4 figure bill straight away.

The Mk 4 would be a better bet (not an auto - problems with the oil pump belt seem more prevalent), or there are plenty of alternatives of course.

3 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

If you're looking at Focus's, the 2.0 EcoBoost is only available in the Mk3 proper ST.  So much more expensive to buy than the 'normal' versions.

Mk3 Focus 1.5 EcoBoost has a common cooling system fault which looks like headgasket failure at first glance, but ends up needing engine replacement (or major repairs).  But also uses a dry belt, not a chain or wetbelt.

If you want a 1.5 EcoBoost with a chain then you need to look at Mk4's.  They use a 3 cylinder 1.5 with chain cams and a small wetbelt for the oil pump.  These have been more reliable so far.

Thanks Tom. I've seen a few ST's going for between 7-9k with between 55-70k miles on the clock. I know there are some issues these can suffer but are they a good car that's not a money pit? 

3 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

It is now considered prudent to change the wet belts at 8 years rather than 10 as specified by Ford. So, you're looking at a 4 figure bill straight away.

The Mk 4 would be a better bet (not an auto - problems with the oil pump belt seem more prevalent), or there are plenty of alternatives of course.

Cheers Eric. Ideally I'd like to stick to a Focus but unless I stick to a Mk2, I'm probably looking at a Mk4 which will be pricey or an ST Mk3. 

23 minutes ago, Doughal said:

Thanks Tom. I've seen a few ST's going for between 7-9k with between 55-70k miles on the clock. I know there are some issues these can suffer but are they a good car that's not a money pit? 

All my Fords have been money pits so I'm not best placed to answer that.

The Mk3 ST engine is one of the most reliable from modern Fords as far as I'm aware though.  I would trust one of those above either of the smaller petrol engines in Mk3.

29 minutes ago, Doughal said:

I'm probably looking at a Mk4 which will be pricey or an ST Mk3. 

Might be worth signing up here it you're seriously interested in an ST: 

https://www.focusstoc.com/. 

Probably a better bet than the 1.0 reliability wise as Tom suggests.

NB On the Mk 4, 1.0 or 1.5 ecoboosts, the oil pump belt is still recommended to be replaced at 10 years max, so again 8 years is probably prudent. 

As this can only be accessed after removing the cam chain, it is just as big (and expensive) a job as changing the wet belts on the earlier version.