My £525 Ford Focus

[Eyersey1234]

Sorry to hear about your breakdown.

[p4cks]

Frimley111R said:

The battery is knackered so how do they work out the alternator is a bit duff too? Sounds more like a 'it's probably worth replacing' type of thing

He did a load test and you're right, it's probably worth replacing soon but not at the moment. The battery is the priority at the moment.

In other news the sealant fix on the coil cover thingy seems to be working.

[p4cks]

Battery delivered last night at 6pm so was too dark to replace, but managed to do it this morning and we're back in action.

Not going to bother with the alternator at this point

[alex98uk]

p4cks said:

Battery delivered last night at 6pm so was too dark to replace, but managed to do it this morning and we're back in action.

Not going to bother with the alternator at this point

Had to replace battery in my ST and was amazed that the same Yuasa battery in Halfords for £112 retail was available for £56 with a trade card. You don't even need the trade card with you (I don't have one)! I didn't realise the price gap was so big, but I suppose punters don't normally shop around for batteries when they need to get to work/get home!

My shed Focus has just been in for a new wheel bearing (to quote the mechanic when asked how bad it was "absolutely hanging mate") and a couple of rear shock absorbers. Hoping now with maybe some new springs next year it'll do me another year or two!

Edited by alex98uk on Friday 29th November 18:03

[p4cks]

I forgot to mention that when I was replacing the old battery I noticed that the sealant I'd put around the Volvo water ingress cover was working perfectly as the water was pooling around the oil filler cap as opposed to draining through and down into the plugs. I suppose time will tell but everything looks good at the minute

[CharlieH89]

I’m looking to buy a Focus atm.
Would proof of the cam belt being changed be essential when looking?
I’m looking at spending £1000-1500.

Seen an 1.6 08 for £1250 (93k miles) but no mention of cam belt Change.

[thebigmacmoomin]

CharlieH89 said:

I’m looking to buy a Focus atm.
Would proof of the cam belt being changed be essential when looking?
I’m looking at spending £1000-1500.

Seen an 1.6 08 for £1250 (93k miles) but no mention of cam belt Change.

Ford cam-belts are 10 years so I would want evidence of a change.

[Bobberoo99]

thebigmacmoomin said:

CharlieH89 said:

I’m looking to buy a Focus atm.
Would proof of the cam belt being changed be essential when looking?
I’m looking at spending £1000-1500.

Seen an 1.6 08 for £1250 (93k miles) but no mention of cam belt Change.

Ford cam-belts are 10 years so I would want evidence of a change.

Yep, 10 years or 120,000 miles, I'd either be insisting on it being done or negotiating a better price!!

[CharlieH89]

thebigmacmoomin said:

Ford cam-belts are 10 years so I would want evidence of a change.

Cheers.
Got a feeling the majority of them aren’t changed when they should be as they’re never mentioned in the ads.

[Eyersey1234]

CharlieH89 said:

thebigmacmoomin said:

Ford cam-belts are 10 years so I would want evidence of a change.

Cheers.
Got a feeling the majority of them aren’t changed when they should be as they’re never mentioned in the ads.

Yeah I'd work on the assumption it hasn't been done unless there is a bill for it. They are good cars, don't know if you have seen the thread on mine but I paid bottom money 13 months ago with nearly 174k on the clock, now at 191k and I love it.

[CharlieH89]

Eyersey1234 said:

CharlieH89 said:

thebigmacmoomin said:

Ford cam-belts are 10 years so I would want evidence of a change.

Cheers.
Got a feeling the majority of them aren’t changed when they should be as they’re never mentioned in the ads.

Yeah I'd work on the assumption it hasn't been done unless there is a bill for it. They are good cars, don't know if you have seen the thread on mine but I paid bottom money 13 months ago with nearly 174k on the clock, now at 191k and I love it.

Do you know how much a cambelt is to change by an Indy?
The lady said the car in question hasn’t had it changed but would accept £1150.
To be honest, the mileage and cleanliness of the car doesn’t seem to bad for £1150.
It’s just the potential £300 or so I’d guess extra for the job immediately after buying the car that has me questioning it.
4 new tyres in August apparently too.

[p4cks]

CharlieH89 said:

Do you know how much a cambelt is to change by an Indy?
The lady said the car in question hasn’t had it changed but would accept £1150.
To be honest, the mileage and cleanliness of the car doesn’t seem to bad for £1150.
It’s just the potential £300 or so I’d guess extra for the job immediately after buying the car that has me questioning it.
4 new tyres in August apparently too.

I got quoted £200 for the cambelt/waterpump on my 1.6 petrol manual
Slightly more for the clutch at £250

[CharlieH89]

p4cks said:

I got quoted £200 for the cambelt/waterpump on my 1.6 petrol manual
Slightly more for the clutch at £250

Cheers
I’ve decided to keep looking around for now.

[CharlieH89]

The seller messaged me back saying they would accept £1000 as it’s sat on her drive so I think I’ll go and view the car.
Can then get the cambelt done for £2-300.

It’s a clean car with not bad miles.

[p4cks]

Sounds like a decent deal

[CharlieH89]

p4cks said:

Sounds like a decent deal

I’ll have a reread through this thread once bought for preventative measures and tips

[p4cks]

My pain is your gain

[Pat H]

CharlieH89 said:

The seller messaged me back saying they would accept £1000 as it’s sat on her drive so I think I’ll go and view the car.
Can then get the cambelt done for £2-300.

It’s a clean car with not bad miles.

I have a 57 plate Focus 2.0 diesel.

Owned since new.

I changed the belt and water pump at ten years (113,000 miles). The belt looked like new and the pump was fine.

It took me about 3 hours and the parts cost less than £80.

In any event, they don't have the Alfa Twinspark reputation for destroying themselves if they are neglected.

I wouldn't let the absence of a belt change put me off in the slightest.

I've had mine since new. Check for clutch slip, as the original Ford DMFs weren't the best.

I've had to do both front wheel bearings. The original Ford front bottom arms lasted about 80,000 miles. Cheap replacements only lasted 40,000 miles.

That aside, it's only needed oil changes, tyres and brakes.

Now covered 170,000 miles and feels like it could do the same again.

Not the most exciting of cars, but has been superb.

[CharlieH89]

Sounds a bit like my previous MONDEO ST TDCi Pat.
I didn’t fancy taking the risk with another Mondeo however as they have turbo, EGR, injectors and the DMF that can throw a big bill.

I’m hoping the 1.6 Focus is a bit simpler

[CharlieH89]

Car viewed.
Hadn’t been serviced for 35,000 miles, since the woman had owned it. I had asked if it had recent service history which she had replied yes to the other day

Exhaust blowing.
Bonnet catch knackered. Just wouldn’t open.
The interior was disgusting. Stains everywhere to which she had said were from her kids. Looked like they had a fight holding bottles of coke.

Car was advertised as £1250 and as I said it weren’t for me she said she would let it go for £900 as she had a new car and needed it gone.

Search continues.