Eyerseys Autotrader adventure

[Eyersey1234]

Bobberoo99 said:

First one we had was a 1.8 petrol Ghia estate on a T reg, was a lovely car right up till the gauges started messing about and the central locking started operating while driving, it was apparently a known issue on the 99 T plate cars, Mrs Bobbers refused to drive it so we part exed it on the next Focus, a 54 plate 1.6 Ghia hatchback, bought with 78,000 on it but was an fleet car with impeccable history, that really was a great car to drive, enough power to be useable, really nice handling and spec, that was part exed against the Focus we have now.

One of my workmates used to have a T reg Focus 1.8TDi until it got written off by someone who ran a red light, he still misses that car now. Was the 54 reg one a late Mk1 or early Mk2?

[Eyersey1234]

Bobberoo99 said:

Eyersey1234 said:

Bobberoo99 said:

First one we had was a 1.8 petrol Ghia estate on a T reg, was a lovely car right up till the gauges started messing about and the central locking started operating while driving, it was apparently a known issue on the 99 T plate cars, Mrs Bobbers refused to drive it so we part exed it on the next Focus, a 54 plate 1.6 Ghia hatchback, bought with 78,000 on it but was an fleet car with impeccable history, that really was a great car to drive, enough power to be useable, really nice handling and spec, that was part exed against the Focus we have now.

One of my workmates used to have a T reg Focus 1.8TDi until it got written off by someone who ran a red light, he still misses that car now. Was the 54 reg one a late Mk1 or early Mk2?

Late Mk1, it's funny to see a Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 parked next to each other, the Mk1 looks tiny compared to the others!!! Have you done repair/remedial work to yours?

Only a few little jobs so far, I've got a turbo hose to fit when I get chance and the tailgate struts to do. Know what you mean about the Mk1 looking tiny compared to the MK3 and MK4. I was once parked next to a Mk1 Fiesta in my old Mk6, sadly couldn't get a picture but the Mk1 was tiny compared to mine

[Eyersey1234]

Peanut Gallery said:

Talking of the mk1 and mk2 next to each other, mine is a mk2 on a 51 reg private plate, occasionally parked next to a mk1 on an 04 plate. It hurt my brain every time I tried to compute that..

Rust removed the mk1, replaced with a mk2.5. Surprising difference in that. 5 - main annoyance is the temperature gauge doe not actually show the temp of the engine...

What does it show if not the temperature of the engine?

[Eyersey1234]

Another job to do now, it appears the header tank has started leaking so will be ordering a new one tomorrow.

[Eyersey1234]

There's steam coming from the top of the header tank and round where the pipes clip on when the engine is hot. I've ordered a new tank from the main dealers, £33 including VAT not too bad

[Eyersey1234]

Just spent half an hour doing a couple of jobs on the car. New header tank now fitted along with new tailgate struts. I was hoping to do the turbo hose too but got the wrong one. Whoops.

[Eyersey1234]

Peanut Gallery said:

May I enquire as to how heavy the boot is with the new struts? - worthwhile, or should I get new struts and a gym membership?

Tin worm is getting to mine, a section on the front right wing panel decided to remove itself over the weekend. - 13 000 since my last service, I feel slightly ashamed!

It's really easy to open the boot with the new struts, a lot smoother and doesn't creak as much. They are really easy to change.

[Eyersey1234]

Bugger. New header tank not cured cars thirst.

[Eyersey1234]

Since it has been parked up some coolant has drained back into the header tank. I'm wondering if it was just an airlock. Will see how it goes tomorrow.

[Eyersey1234]

Thanks. It seems to still be using a bit but nowhere near as much as it was. The old header tank was manky as hell and it was impossible to see how much was in without taking the cap off. It's taking about half an hour at the moment for coolant to drain back into the tank after being run, is this normal for Foci?

[Eyersey1234]

Bennyjames28 said:

Amazed at you getting this for 500 notes. Just bought a 2009 petrol for 3k, but it is low mileage.

Your car must be worth a grand easily. Prices of these cars can really vary.

Which engine and trim level is yours Bennyjames?

[Eyersey1234]

Thanks, yes I've got a Haynes manual I'll have a look later.

[Eyersey1234]

Thanks bungz I'll have a look tomorrow when it's lighter.

[Eyersey1234]

How does having the heater on full blow the air out of the cooling system?

[Eyersey1234]

Bobberoo99 said:

Heater matrix contains coolant from the cooling system, heater to max means that the cooling system is running fully open circuit, so any air trapped in the heater matrix is purged out into the rest of the system and eventually to the header tank. It's a pressurised system so whilst the engine is running and up to temperature, releasing the cap on the header tank will allow the pressurised air to escape.

Thanks Bobberoo

[Eyersey1234]

Bugger. Not an airlock. Been given some radweld to put in it to hopefully block the leak. Also needs new rear brakes.

[Eyersey1234]

It's leaking from somewhere in the back of the engine. The brake pads are worn out down to the metal, I had known they were low but they were clearly more worn than I thought.

[Eyersey1234]

Put the radweld in earlier and so far it seems to be ok. Thanks for the tips about the brakes.

[Eyersey1234]

Well the radweld was holding last night but went to check the level just now and the tank was empty again. Damn

[Eyersey1234]

I'm certain it's not HGF as it's not overheating and oil and coolant aren't mixing. I've had the engine running several times to try and find where it's coming from. It appears to be coming from either a pipe to the turbo or a pipe to the heater matrix, though the carpets are dry so don't think it's the heater matrix itself.