Hello all,

 

I have a mk2 focus 1.6l petrol automatic. The gasket/seal has broken under the car for (I think) the engine oil sump? Just under the engine, in the middle. Doesn't look like it's been opened in many many years. 

Anyone confirm it's the engine oil and not transmission oil from the info I have? 

Also any part numbers for a new seal/gasket? 

Yes, no, maybe, I don't know
Can you repeat the question? 🤔

1 hour ago, unofix said:

Yes, no, maybe, I don't know
Can you repeat the question? 🤔

This (photo attached) is leaking. Looks like some seal somewhere has deteriorated. 

 

The waffle covered part is the engine oil sump.

But that fluid is not engine oil.  It's either coolant or power steering fluid.  Coming from higher up than it appears there.

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The waffle covered part is the engine oil sump.

But that fluid is not engine oil.  It's either coolant or power steering fluid.  Coming from higher up than it appears there.

Thanks. Had AA out for coolant leak the other day, they said to replace radiator hose so I guess ill see what happens and investigate from there. 

 

I agree with Tom, definitely not engine oil. I'd tend to think power steering fluid, it should be easy enough to check.

56 minutes ago, unofix said:

I agree with Tom, definitely not engine oil. I'd tend to think power steering fluid, it should be easy enough to check.

Thanks, will have a look tomorrow 

9 hours ago, unofix said:

I agree with Tom, definitely not engine oil. I'd tend to think power steering fluid, it should be easy enough to check.

Morning. Most likely a power steering fluid leak. Reservoir almost empty. I'd misread the gauge on the reservoir as its dirty, put my finger in there and it stayed dry. Going to call out the AA see if they can diagnose or point me in right direction. 

Its just not my week! Had to order a new radiator hose due to coolant leak this week already (lost half a tank of coolant in a day, checked and radiator hose has white residue and is very tough to squeeze and has bulging at the clamps/joint). Its only a little bit of loss when I do short journeys in the day, but at motorway speed when engine is hot it's more loss. Think there's tiny rips in hose as it looks like a zebra pattern with tiny lines on the rubber. 

Thanks all! I've had this leak for at least a couple weeks and didn't spot it. 

Had the AA out. They say it's definitely not transmission, doesn't look like power steering, probably coolant but they can't see where from. Booked in for diagnosis at garage tomorrow 

If it's coolant then it's likely to be the thermostat housing.  Common problem on this engine.  Awkward to access around the alternator.

19 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

If it's coolant then it's likely to be the thermostat housing.  Common problem on this engine.  Awkward to access around the alternator.

This is exactly what the garage diagnosed this morning. Got a quote of £256 for parts and labour. Haven't authorised work yet but now I have a better understanding of how it all works. Im still replacing the radiator hose as the thing looks ancient anyways.

On 11/25/2025 at 1:43 PM, Eli_P said:

 Im still replacing the radiator hose as the thing looks ancient anyways.

It would be worth having the hose replaced at the same time as the thermostat housing. 

13 hours ago, AntonovAN12 said:

It would be worth having the hose replaced at the same time as the thermostat housing. 

Its done 🙂 ordered hose myself from Ford and it arrived at my house while car was in garage for thermostat housing. Dropped the part off at garage and they did it yesterday.

My mpg has jumped up by 8mpg since yesterday! Im astounded. When I bought the car (5th owner, 85k miles) it was doing 28mpg, then it steadily decreasd to 24mpg. Now at 99k miles it's doing 32mpg and drives so much smoother than 18 months ago. Constantly posting on this forum every couple of months about repairs but it's worth it. You lot have taught me a lot. 

If anyone's in Birmingham/West Midlands area I now recommend B26 Autos. They're a Ford Specialist and the customer service has been excellent. They're a 10 min drive from Birmingham Airport.