Tuesday 23rd January 2018

Focus RS owners offered 'free repair'

The 2.3-litre engine has shown a tendency for burning its coolant like Columbo; now Ford agrees to a fix regardless of warranty

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Ford's problems with early examples of the Focus RS's 2.3-litre Ecoboost engine are well documented (not least in the forums) but it's taken a while for the manufacturer to arrive at a blanket solution for anyone suffering a plume of white smoke emerging from their car's exhaust at start up.

A statement released today announces that, "owners of 2016-17 Focus RS vehicles are being offered a free inspection and repair, regardless of warranty or mileage status, for concerns of white exhaust smoke and/or coolant consumption stemming from an issue with cylinder head gaskets."

Crucially, its dealers are under instruction to "test the cooling system, replace the cylinder head gasket and replace the cylinder head, as required, at no cost to the customer." Given that Ford had reportedly already resorted to replacing entire engines in some cars still under warranty, the news doesn't come as a complete surprise, although the maker will hope that it helps puts a few minds at ease - not least in the model's buoyant secondhand market.

While clearly acknowledging an issue, the Blue Oval hasn't quite got around to explaining the root cause. The idea that the head gasket is failing to seal properly is obviously confirmed by the nature of the fix - although the suspicion that the engine block itself is prone to warping after multiple heat cycles isn't specifically addressed. Regardless, any RS owner concerned about their car burning coolant fluid to spectacular effect is now encouraged to contact their local franchise dealer.

[TroubledSoul]

Does this mean that "Independant Lee" is off the hook then?

[indapendentlee]

I think he'd turned up the wick if I remember that classic thread correctly!

[Krikkit]

Good news for owners, and respect to Ford for honouring it for cars even outside of warranty (i.e. modified).

[dibblecorse]

Krikkit said:

Good news for owners, and respect to Ford for honouring it for cars even outside of warranty (i.e. modified).

Doesnt say anything about modified vehicles from what I can see, nothing beyond warranty status and mileage, suspected modified ones are still buggered !!

[treeroy]

Umm. Stop sucking up to Ford. It's not a "free repair", it's a warranty fix. "regardless of warranty", well there aint a lot of Focus RSes that are out of warranty unless they've done 60K miles in a year! Stop giving them promotion. Don't celebrate a fault.

[KarlMac]

So, ok the previous ST/RS ford took the bomb proof Volvo 2.3t lump, pissed about with it and managed to make the cylinder liners paper thin and subject to cracking.

They then take a reasonably reliable Mazda engine, make a big song and dance about a new cylinder head, which them promptly becomes the weak point of the whole car.

Fix Or Repair Daily indeed, remind me why people bang on about these things again?

[Jordan210]

Car company fixes faulty cars in warranty

Isn't really news in my book

[curlie467]

Nanook said:

treeroy said:

Umm. Stop sucking up to Ford. It's not a "free repair", it's a warranty fix. "regardless of warranty", well there aint a lot of Focus RSes that are out of warranty unless they've done 60K miles in a year! Stop giving them promotion. Don't celebrate a fault.

I don't see any celebration or promotion.

I see them directly quoting Ford, in a pretty unbiased manner.

Untwist your panties.

[Gotcha2]

I am not sure if this is perhaps a global problem / answer to the global question but I was watching the below smoking tyre vid the other night and Matt suggested that in the US the installation of the head gasket from the mustang eco boost lump was the official Ford response, same dimensions but designed to work at lower compression ratios. Those with the correct HG in place have no issues.

I ran a modded 6MPS for 5yrs, very similar engine to the Eco boost. HG failures are not at all common, even when modded. The bottom end will go first. I considered the FRS when I replaced the MPS but the ride quality was too harsh for me, looks like there are after market cures....

https://youtu.be/RWrXM4yBpnE

[RemyMartin81D]

Nanook said:

treeroy said:

Umm. Stop sucking up to Ford. It's not a "free repair", it's a warranty fix. "regardless of warranty", well there aint a lot of Focus RSes that are out of warranty unless they've done 60K miles in a year! Stop giving them promotion. Don't celebrate a fault.

I don't see any celebration or promotion.

I see them directly quoting Ford, in a pretty unbiased manner.

Untwist your panties.

You say that but the very story is promotion. I'd imagine most owners would already know this fact being in contact with Ford dealers themselves.

[Dr G]

Jordan210 said:

Car company fixes faulty cars in warranty

Isn't really news in my book

Indeed.

[Uncle John]

KarlMac said:

So, ok the previous ST/RS ford took the bomb proof Volvo 2.3t lump, pissed about with it and managed to make the cylinder liners paper thin and subject to cracking.

They then take a reasonably reliable Mazda engine, make a big song and dance about a new cylinder head, which them promptly becomes the weak point of the whole car.

Fix Or Repair Daily indeed, remind me why people bang on about these things again?

It was the 2.5 lump and the cylinder liner problem affected the ST not the RS.

I think honourable of Ford, but someone has dropped the ball somewhere in the design.

[ElectricPics]

Jeff, have you seen this?

[Uncle John]

ElectricPics said:

Jeff, have you seen this?

[TheAngryDog]

KarlMac said:

They then take a reasonably reliable Mazda engine, make a big song and dance about a new cylinder head, which them promptly becomes the weak point of the whole car.

If you're thinking about the MPS engine then you're wrong. I know of many owners who have broken the engines. There is one near where I live which hasn't moved since I have lived there - I'd hazard a guess that the VVT has failed or a leg has been put out of bed.

[InitialDave]

If it is indeed "even if modified, we'll fix it for free", then that definitely sends a message that the original gaskets are no cop.

My next questions would be whether the replacement gaskets are an updated design, and whether this is a one-time-only deal, and if your replacement one goes pop too, you're out in the cold.

Wonder who'll be first to try cranking up the boost because of the assurance it'll get fixed?

[Tuvra]

dibblecorse said:

Krikkit said:

Good news for owners, and respect to Ford for honouring it for cars even outside of warranty (i.e. modified).

Doesnt say anything about modified vehicles from what I can see, nothing beyond warranty status and mileage, suspected modified ones are still buggered !!

And you know this how? My modified one got a new engine no questions asked

[Ultrafunkula]

I've been following this for a while, hoping Ford would issue a recall (or Field Service Action as they call it!) as it was the one thing putting me off the RS. It did indeed seem like some cars on the production line before may 2017 may have had the HG from the Ecoboost Mustang fitted in error, leading to HGF and cylinder head warping. To be fair Ford replaced engines on the ones which went for free, but that does nothing for model confidence or depreciation.

I may now look to trade in my S3 for an RS.

[SmartVenom]

I don’t get the negative reaction to this. Car companies often don’t fix things they should under warranty even where it’s a significant known issue. What would Porsche do? They’d fix all the American cars and then pretend there was nothing wrong with the European cars. Hats off to ford for their response.

[Ved]

SmartVenom said:

I don’t get the negative reaction to this. Car companies often don’t fix things they should under warranty even where it’s a significant known issue. What would Porsche do? They’d fix all the American cars and then pretend there was nothing wrong with the European cars. Hats off to ford for their response.

Yep this is significant and Ford should be quietly clapped. Think of how badly subaru treated all the 2.5 engines that failed. Compared to that Ford are doing the right thing and that’s only a good thing.