The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)

[mercedeslimos]

R50 BPS said:

Eyersey1234 said:

As far as I know all the Mk3 Focus 1.6tdci have the later 8v engine

I did think so - excellent fuel economy too. The 1499cc TDCi unit that is still used now is also very good, though I'm not sure if it's just the 1560cc unit that has been fiddled with.

Yes, the 1.5 is just an evolution of the 1.6 to meet emissions, peak cylinder pressures and temps I believe.

I almost got a 1.6 in the MK4 Mondeo but it's a big car, the supposed MPG gap between that and a 140 2.0 would be gone in the real world I reckon

[anonymous-user]

mercedeslimos said:

R50 BPS said:

Eyersey1234 said:

As far as I know all the Mk3 Focus 1.6tdci have the later 8v engine

I did think so - excellent fuel economy too. The 1499cc TDCi unit that is still used now is also very good, though I'm not sure if it's just the 1560cc unit that has been fiddled with.

Yes, the 1.5 is just an evolution of the 1.6 to meet emissions, peak cylinder pressures and temps I believe.

I almost got a 1.6 in the MK4 Mondeo but it's a big car, the supposed MPG gap between that and a 140 2.0 would be gone in the real world I reckon

I had a 14 plate 1.6 TDCi estate - averaged around 58 MPG, was actually pretty good and quite punchy for a large car.

[anonymous-user]

Can now confirm a V70 ARB Link is a ramp job....

[ghost83]

CinnamonFan said:

Good result!

I thought so

[stickleback123]

Shed disaster here, the power steering has died on my 04 130k Focus. No leaks, belt is fine, no funny noises, so I think it's getting scrapped.

I was contemplating a clutch and tyres for it, so this is a lesson in not spending needlessly on ropey old heaps.

[lemonslap]

R50 BPS said:

Can now confirm a V70 ARB Link is a ramp job....

Are you supporting the weight of the vehicle on that axle stand on the suspension arm? If so that’s your problem, both wheels need to be off the ground and hanging free.

[magpie215]

stickleback123 said:

Shed disaster here, the power steering has died on my 04 130k Focus. No leaks, belt is fine, no funny noises, so I think it's getting scrapped.

I was contemplating a clutch and tyres for it, so this is a lesson in not spending needlessly on ropey old heaps.

Not worth banging a pump on off a scrapper??

[aaron_2000]

ML270 injectors will be started on tomorrow or saturday, then I can get all the tat removed, give the interior a deep clean and get running it.

[bearman68]

R50 BPS said:

bristolracer said:

Anybody know much about the C max? They seem to have dropped into shed territory.
I'm possibly after a roomy shed estate for commuting and they tick a lot of boxes.

1.8 petrol is a chain driven unit I believe - that would be my choice, they seem pretty solid.

Bloody awful things to drive. I just don't like them at all. And the electric handbrake is the work of the devil. We have a business fixing these, and I still think they are rubbish, and hard to fix.
And the 1.8 petrol seems to develop a thirst for oil, and go all misfire'y' - so my personal advice would be avoid.

If you do get one, the 2.0 diesel I suppose would be the best of a bad job.

Xsara Picasso is where it's at folks. 2.0 Hdi, with a power map. Not too bad at all.

[irish boy]

In for volume 2.

[Daveb257]

irish boy said:

In for volume 2.

And me, nothing to report although a radio change on the Yaris is in the diary

[Eyersey1234]

R50 BPS said:

I did think so - excellent fuel economy too. The 1499cc TDCi unit that is still used now is also very good, though I'm not sure if it's just the 1560cc unit that has been fiddled with.

I believe the 1.5tdci is basically the same as the 1.6 though obviously smaller. I'm very impressed with the one in my Mk3.5 Focus.

[MrGTI6]

bearman68 said:

R50 BPS said:

bristolracer said:

Anybody know much about the C max? They seem to have dropped into shed territory.
I'm possibly after a roomy shed estate for commuting and they tick a lot of boxes.

1.8 petrol is a chain driven unit I believe - that would be my choice, they seem pretty solid.

Bloody awful things to drive. I just don't like them at all. And the electric handbrake is the work of the devil. We have a business fixing these, and I still think they are rubbish, and hard to fix.
And the 1.8 petrol seems to develop a thirst for oil, and go all misfire'y' - so my personal advice would be avoid.

If you do get one, the 2.0 diesel I suppose would be the best of a bad job.

Xsara Picasso is where it's at folks. 2.0 Hdi, with a power map. Not too bad at all.

Regarding the Focus C-Max, I believe only early Ghia models had an electric handbrake. Lower spec models didn't, and all post-facelift models have a normal handbrake lever too.

[anonymous-user]

lemonslap said:

R50 BPS said:

Can now confirm a V70 ARB Link is a ramp job....

Are you supporting the weight of the vehicle on that axle stand on the suspension arm? If so that’s your problem, both wheels need to be off the ground and hanging free.

Good point.... what a moron I am - still, enjoying having a go myself anyway

[anonymous-user]

MrGTI6 said:

Regarding the Focus C-Max, I believe only early Ghia models had an electric handbrake. Lower spec models didn't, and all post-facelift models have a normal handbrake lever too.

Was it not just the very scarce Ultima?

[silverback mike]

The latest silverback well sub £1k shed.

[mercedeslimos]

R50 BPS said:

mercedeslimos said:

R50 BPS said:

Eyersey1234 said:

As far as I know all the Mk3 Focus 1.6tdci have the later 8v engine

I did think so - excellent fuel economy too. The 1499cc TDCi unit that is still used now is also very good, though I'm not sure if it's just the 1560cc unit that has been fiddled with.

Yes, the 1.5 is just an evolution of the 1.6 to meet emissions, peak cylinder pressures and temps I believe.

I almost got a 1.6 in the MK4 Mondeo but it's a big car, the supposed MPG gap between that and a 140 2.0 would be gone in the real world I reckon

I had a 14 plate 1.6 TDCi estate - averaged around 58 MPG, was actually pretty good and quite punchy for a large car.

Wow, didn't expect that. Mine is real world 47-49, but I drive quite hard. The Mrs can get 52-54 if she only uses it They are similar in design, they must have made some extra eco changes when designing the 8-valve engine. I know the ECOnetic uses special gear ratios, box oil and grilles etc.

[anonymous-user]

mercedeslimos said:

R50 BPS said:

mercedeslimos said:

R50 BPS said:

Eyersey1234 said:

As far as I know all the Mk3 Focus 1.6tdci have the later 8v engine

I did think so - excellent fuel economy too. The 1499cc TDCi unit that is still used now is also very good, though I'm not sure if it's just the 1560cc unit that has been fiddled with.

Yes, the 1.5 is just an evolution of the 1.6 to meet emissions, peak cylinder pressures and temps I believe.

I almost got a 1.6 in the MK4 Mondeo but it's a big car, the supposed MPG gap between that and a 140 2.0 would be gone in the real world I reckon

I had a 14 plate 1.6 TDCi estate - averaged around 58 MPG, was actually pretty good and quite punchy for a large car.

Wow, didn't expect that. Mine is real world 47-49, but I drive quite hard. The Mrs can get 52-54 if she only uses it They are similar in design, they must have made some extra eco changes when designing the 8-valve engine. I know the ECOnetic uses special gear ratios, box oil and grilles etc.

Mine was admittedly used on longer journeys, think the worst I ever saw after a reset and town driving was about 46 MPG

[bristolracer]

Thanks for all the comments on the C max, it sounds like it may be better to pass on one.

[Justatwist]

How high mileage do you consider too high when purchasing a shed?
My previous 1.9tdi Fabia was on 180k when I bought it. It had plenty of history and ran very well. I sold it on after a few months as it became surplus to requirements but, a quick MOT check shows it racked up 35k miles in the following year and is still going strong.