53 plate focus rs

[tattymarbots]

hi
just bought the above

4 things
1, any recommendations on engine oil, synthetic or semi-synthetic

2, front discs are shot, any recommended aftermarket replacements or stick to standard

3, "pink" anti-freeze, silly question where to buy it? is it different to blue (apart from the colour haha) only read on buyers guide about pink stains around thermostat housing, i have them and was wondering if it is just a gasket repair

4, slight resonance approx 2500-3500 depending which gear, i think it could be the heat shield or the flexible joint, anyone else experienced this

cheers
steve

[:J:]

Hi, on point no. 4, I have the same problem at the moment.

My problem is the little shield on the exhaust pipe. Not sure if heat shield, as the only thing below it is air..... ?

Basically, look underneath, follow the exhaust down and around the point the down pipe finishes, there is a little metal plate. On mine, one of the bolts has rusted and come loose from the mounting point. Been driving me mad for ages, booked in to be fixed now identified

Started as a vibration at certain revs, developed into an embarrasing constant vibration throughout the rev range

Cheers.

On points 1 - 3, I just stick to whatever Ford released it with

Edited by :J: on Wednesday 13th May 14:42

[# Lord Lucan #]

tattymarbots said:

hi
just bought the above

4 things
1, any recommendations on engine oil, synthetic or semi-synthetic

2, front discs are shot, any recommended aftermarket replacements or stick to standard

3, "pink" anti-freeze, silly question where to buy it? is it different to blue (apart from the colour haha) only read on buyers guide about pink stains around thermostat housing, i have them and was wondering if it is just a gasket repair

4, slight resonance approx 2500-3500 depending which gear, i think it could be the heat shield or the flexible joint, anyone else experienced this

cheers
steve

Answers as follows
1) stick with the FMC 5w/30 it works well and is a very good oil STAY AWAY FROM MOBIL 1 it is to thin for the car

2)Front Discs get after market ones from EBC and use the Greenstuff pads as well FMC are way to expensive even their soft (vanilla) pads are a rip off

3)The thermostat block (plastic) has a rubber O ring better off changing out the block completely tbh as this is the most cost effective option.
Pink Antifreeze only supplied from factory back then and I am given to understand is not available over the counter buy the blue one just as good

4)Is it a standard Exhaust or after market item if std this is normal and you cant get rid of it

[:J:]

[quote=# Lord Lucan #][4)Is it a standard Exhaust or after market item if std this is normal and you cant get rid of it
[/quote]

Not sure about the OP, but mine is definately the bit on the exhaust and it's standard. You say I can just remove it ? If so, do you know it's purpose in the first place ?

Cheers.

[focusboy]

you can buy pink/red antifreeze, dont use blue, it will eat away internally also the red is 5-10 years protectant, also heat sheilds on the bottom of an exhaust is so if you park on a bit of dry grass any where it stops it from catching fire, silly as it sounds have known it to happen to 2 cars,

hope that helps

garry

[neiljohnson]

first of all well done great choice of car! 1. I have always used castrol 5w 30 which is approved by ford 2. Front discs are available from delphi but are actually genuine brembos in a differant box and i use ferodo ds 2500 pads which ive always found very good 3. Pink anti freeze is available from any motor factor 4. the flexi pipe on the exhaust where it hooks over the sub frame often rattles when the inner part of it breaks ive had 2 now!

[tattymarbots]

thanks for the help guys

will get it up on the jack saturday to see if i can locate the source of this rattle, hope it is just a loose shield or bracket
neiljohnson, you mention the flexipipe, is this the one right by the engine as you look in the bonnet, i am sure my is able to spin, does this mean it is broken? If so is it fixable or do i need to replace it

cheers
steve

Edited by tattymarbots on Thursday 14th May 07:28

[neiljohnson]

Not sure what the part you refering to is tbh but if it spins it sounds broken and may be the cause of your problem (photo would help) the pipe is under the car located where the exhaust hooks over the subframe and no its not something that can be repaired. I got mine off of ebay first one was a tenner the second 20 so made a saving on the 200 new price its only 4 bolts and 10-15 mins to fit

[tattymarbots]

hi guys
here is a picture of the exhaust looking down into the engine bay


http://www.flickr.com/photos/tattymarbots/35430341...

i can turn this mesh looking piece by hand when cold
and am sure it is this that is resonating, at between 2400-2800rpm
it is worst at 2800

what is this piece and any ideas how to stop it rattling

cheers
steve

[Defcon5]

[quote=# Lord Lucan #]
1) stick with the FMC 5w/30 it works well and is a very good oil STAY AWAY FROM MOBIL 1 it is to thin for the car


[/quote]

Errr, a 5w-30 will be thinner than a 0w-40 at operating temp

[neiljohnson]

tattymarbots said:

hi guys
here is a picture of the exhaust looking down into the engine bay


http://www.flickr.com/photos/tattymarbots/35430341...

i can turn this mesh looking piece by hand when cold
and am sure it is this that is resonating, at between 2400-2800rpm
it is worst at 2800

what is this piece and any ideas how to stop it rattling

cheers
steve

That be the problem then that part is a flexible joint for the front pipe and should not twist.

Good excuse to swap to a decat

[Lambchopski]

[quote=# Lord Lucan ]Answers as follows

3)The thermostat block (plastic) has a rubber O ring better off changing out the block completely tbh as this is the most cost effective option.
Pink Antifreeze only supplied from factory back then and I am given to understand is not available over the counter buy the blue one just as good

[/quote]

what a load of rubbish!!

How the hell is it more cost effective to swap out an £80 housing, which is bought in 2 parts by the way, rather than changing a £1.50 seal round the thermostat itself inside? almost always its the seal and not the housing but it can crack.

As said blue antifreeze is NOT recommended!! If mixed with pink it can cause problems also!
Ford now do a similar one to the pink which is more purple in colour. EIther pink or purple is fine!

[Chris_w666]

tattymarbots said:

and am sure it is this that is resonating, at between 2400-2800rpm
it is worst at 2800

what is this piece and any ideas how to stop it rattling

No idea what it is, but just drive faster

[tattymarbots]

found the problem, it is the heatshield on the bottom of the exhaust
3 of the 4 brackets have snapped, am going to try to remount the shield using extra large jubilee clips, if this fails is it easy to get the brackets re-welded onto the exhuast

toot toot
steve