Focus ST MK3 Misfire/No compression

[Zulu09]

Hello all.

After being a long time lurker I feel I need some advice as although I’m a car fan I’m certainly no mechanic.

As the title suggests I own a MK3 ST (64 plate) currently on 30,800 miles.

In a nutshell I was driving the other evening and the car appeared out of no where to be become jerky, hesitant in revving, and sounded a bit more like an Impreza that it should. I got the car recovered to a local garage thinking potential misfire, easy fix.....
Turns out the car has no compression in cylinder 2 and I also saw oil in the exhaust tip.

At a guess I’m looking at a huge bill now? Engine apart? Is this a common issue on ST’s? Do you think Ford might be forthcoming in offering any assistance in terms of goodwill etc?

The mechanic couldn’t believe that this has happened to a car with 30k on the clock and says I should contact Ford, which I am doing.

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[E-bmw]

Of course you should contact Ford in case they will help, but (obviously) I am assuming it is well out of manufacturers warranty & as such they are less likely to be forthcoming with help.

Having said that, if the car has a perfect main dealer service record, you never know.

[stevieturbo]

Zulu09 said:

Hello all.

After being a long time lurker I feel I need some advice as although I’m a car fan I’m certainly no mechanic.

As the title suggests I own a MK3 ST (64 plate) currently on 30,800 miles.

In a nutshell I was driving the other evening and the car appeared out of no where to be become jerky, hesitant in revving, and sounded a bit more like an Impreza that it should. I got the car recovered to a local garage thinking potential misfire, easy fix.....
Turns out the car has no compression in cylinder 2 and I also saw oil in the exhaust tip.

At a guess I’m looking at a huge bill now? Engine apart? Is this a common issue on ST’s? Do you think Ford might be forthcoming in offering any assistance in terms of goodwill etc?

The mechanic couldn’t believe that this has happened to a car with 30k on the clock and says I should contact Ford, which I am doing.

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

No doubt this will be one of those threads where we are drip fed information..

First off....just tootling about normally...it is almsot impossible for the engine to end up as you describe.

So how were you driving at the time ? Is this car standard ?

And is it no compression...or low compression. Often very different faults. Readings from all cylinders ?

More factual and precise information needed. As for Ford helping....4-5 year old car ? I'd say not a chance.

[Zulu09]

When the aforementioned occurred I was driving up a hill at roughly 55mph, no hard acceleration etc. Merely cruising up.

The car is standard.

The reading was zero. The other 3 cylinders were all healthy.

[GreenV8S]

Presumably you'll get a more thorough diagnosis before you decide on a repair.

I'm sure your mechanic will advise on a sensible plan. I'd expect that to include a leakdown test at an early stage to see whether the problem is affecting the inlet, exhaust or bottom end.

[Saleen836]

This might sound daft but did you have the AC turned on?
I have heard this is a common problem with the ST's

[Zulu09]

A more thorough diagnosis is planned. Currently writing a letter to the Ford dealer to see what they say. I’m not holding out for much but you never know.

The air con wasn’t on nor was the heating. However, it’s funny you should mention it as I’ve noticed when stopped both can cause a slight rough idle if they’re blowing at higher levels.

[stevieturbo]

Zulu09 said:

When the aforementioned occurred I was driving up a hill at roughly 55mph, no hard acceleration etc. Merely cruising up.

The car is standard.

The reading was zero. The other 3 cylinders were all healthy.

Get a good bore scope to look in the cylinder and also to get a visual on the piston and also the valves/chamber

Although if this genuinely did happen driving under no load....I would question the no compression diagnosis.

But based on what you've said, it sounds like it's burnt a valve or something similar....although generally that would require more load, not light driving. But would also be an effect of other underlying problems.

Piston damage would seem unlikely given the circumstances described, although oil out the tailpipe would possibly imply otherwise....but you dont mention crankcase breathing as an issue either.

[PaulKemp]

Burn valve, dropped valve, broken valve spring could be a lot of things so be systematic and start with the simple stuff.
Pulling off the cam cover is easy enough
As is a cheap flexible scope to look into the bore

[slybunda]

Is it the 2.0 or the 2.5 thats renoun for cracked cylinder block?

[stevieturbo]

Some 2.5's have issues I believe. But the symptoms of a cracked block would be very different to what has been described.

[Zulu09]

Thought I’d provide a bit of an update on this.

As expected Ford were of very little help regarding the offering of financial assistance or even acknowledging there is an issue with these cars.

As a result the car was recovered to a chap who specialises in Ford working on a lot of ST and RS cars.

I’ve since discovered the nickname “ecoboom.

A bore scope was using to identify that the piston is cylinder 2 was the issue. It had huge cracks.

As a result I’ve opted to have forged Manly pistons, Manly rods, ARP rod bolts, ARP head stud and nut kit, Ford gasket and Ford chain tensioner fitted.

[stevieturbo]

Zulu09 said:

Thought I’d provide a bit of an update on this.

As expected Ford were of very little help regarding the offering of financial assistance or even acknowledging there is an issue with these cars.

As a result the car was recovered to a chap who specialises in Ford working on a lot of ST and RS cars.

I’ve since discovered the nickname “ecoboom.

A bore scope was using to identify that the piston is cylinder 2 was the issue. It had huge cracks.

As a result I’ve opted to have forged Manly pistons, Manly rods, ARP rod bolts, ARP head stud and nut kit, Ford gasket and Ford chain tensioner fitted.

Surely if there is a problem with cylinder 2...fixing that would make more sense than throwing aftermarket parts elsewhere ?

or do you mean the problem was not with the actual cylinder...but parts within that cylinder ?

And of course you need to find the cause of whatever the problem was too, to ensure it will not happen again.

[E-bmw]

^^^^ The man makes a lot of sense.