Focus 1.6 ecoboost

[AI1601]

Looking at these as a short trips around town runabout for the wife. Reading online there seems to be some owners affected by overheating issues but no info on whether only particular model years were affected. Are there any other problems to be aware of? Cheers

[Chrispee]

I've got a 2011 1.6 Ecoboost Estate and its been very good. Only none service item in the 20k miles i've put on it (79k to 99k) has been a wheel speed sensor. It had already had a timing belt change before I bought it so check if that's due.

There was a recall done for the coolant tank to add a level sensor, you should be able to check online if its been done or not. I did 180 motorway miles through 40 degree heat on Tuesday and the engine temp gauge was rock steady.

Little niggles: Door rubber had started coming away so superglued them back on, and the boot can collect water due to vents that let it in behind the bumper. Both easy fixes.

[AI1601]

Thanks, we're looking at the hatch back. What's the approx cost for timing belt on these?

It looks like the top spec is Titanium X - do these come with electric folding mirrors?

[Chrispee]

Vague memory says a few £100 when I researched before buying a couple of years ago, budget to do the aux belt and pulley as well.

Mine is a Titanium X and does have electric folding mirrors.

[wpa1975]

The 1.6 is not ecoboost, that is the 1ltr and later 1.5, the 1.6 is the Sigma engine I believe.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

AI1601 said:

Looking at these as a short trips around town runabout for the wife. Reading online there seems to be some owners affected by overheating issues but no info on whether only particular model years were affected. Are there any other problems to be aware of? Cheers

I've driven one of these at work. I'm really unimpressed. It feels cheap, you can't easily gauge each corner and I wouldn't buy one for around town.

I'm a huge fan of previous generations of the Focus having owned the mk1, 2 etc.


Why does it need to a new Focus?

[Zetec-S]

wpa1975 said:

The 1.6 is not ecoboost, that is the 1ltr and later 1.5, the 1.6 is the Sigma engine I believe.

No, they did release a 180bhp 1.6 ecoboost, basically the same engine as in the Mk7 Fiesta ST. I think from around 2016/17 they discontinued it and replaced with the 1.5.

But you are correct in that they also had a NA 1.6 Sigma in the early Mk3 Focus's as well.

[AI1601]

Not German level of perceived quality but still not bad plus they handle well for what they are and the titanium models have good kit so why not.

The equivalent Mk7 Golf 1.4 tsi 150bhp is a good few grand more compared to an early mk3 focus 2012 or so.

[LightningBlue]

My Volvo S60 has this engine in 180 bhp guise. The car is 10 years old now and at 83000 miles and the engine hasn’t missed a beat. I was concerned reading reports of overheating but so far it doesn’t use any oil or coolant and runs well

[georgeyboy12345]

I was looking at them a couple of years ago but was put off by the engine overheating/fire issues. I guess as long as they have had the recall done, they should make a decent warm hatch. I'd be wanting to see the receipt/invoice from the Ford garage showing it has been done as part of the service history though.

Timing belt interval is 150,000 miles or 10 years, which means many of them are now due a change. Budget around £450 for an indy to change it. Thankfully it's not a wet belt unlike the 1.0 Ecoboosts.

[ChrisH72]

I'm fairly sure my Fiesta ST 1.6 has a wet belt. Why would the focus be different if its the same engine?

[Raymond Reddington]

Can't comment on the engine but the focus is a good choice. I'm running a 1.6 diesel as a commuter and it drives great with a good level of kit.

[georgeyboy12345]

ChrisH72 said:

I'm fairly sure my Fiesta ST 1.6 has a wet belt. Why would the focus be different if its the same engine?

I thought they didn't, maybe you are right

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Friday 22 July 22:31

[exelero]

LightningBlue said:

My Volvo S60 has this engine in 180 bhp guise. The car is 10 years old now and at 83000 miles and the engine hasn’t missed a beat. I was concerned reading reports of overheating but so far it doesn’t use any oil or coolant and runs well

So it is the same engine then? I was wondering about a V60 with the 1.6 just wasn’t sure if it’s the Ford engine or not.

[Elroy Blue]

We've had two Focus(i). A 2011 and a 2012 1.6. The electric power steering failed on both. Its a common issue and you have to replace the whole steering rack.
Wouldn't touch another with a very, very long bargepole

[LightningBlue]

exelero said:

So it is the same engine then? I was wondering about a V60 with the 1.6 just wasn’t sure if it’s the Ford engine or not.

Yes it is, look hard and you’ll see it says FoMoCo on the engine. I believe the gearing is different and might be on a different map but it’s the same unit. Badged T3 for the 150 bhp one and T4 for 180.
These must have been fitted from factory with a coolant level sensor unlike Ford models

[AI1601]

The 180bhp versions seem very rare but the 150 should be adequate enough. What kind of mpg do these get around town?

[Chrispee]

Mine has ranged from mid 30's mixed driving to mid 40's on a long steady run: measured properly tank to tank. If purely town driving i'd say low to mid 30's