My £525 Ford Focus
Discussion
Update:
bikesalot (on the shed thread here ) kindly supplied me with this information:
Costs were:
COVER - 30650468 - £16.56 inc VAT
SIX POINT SOCKET SCREW - 986019 x4 - £2.94 each
I'll also get some plugs from a local car parts shop and update once it's all done.
bikesalot (on the shed thread here ) kindly supplied me with this information:
Bikesalot said:
Replace the plugs at the same time. It will most likely be water pooling / getting in. Take some time and give it a good clean out with something suitable.
Head to your local volvo dealer and order PART NUMBERS -
COVER - 30650468
SIX POINT SOCKET SCREW - 986019 x4
Volvo engine cover fits perfectly and stops any more water getting in....
So I'm going to do that. Against the grain of true shedding as it's a belt and braces approach but I'm here for the long run so I beg forgiveness. Head to your local volvo dealer and order PART NUMBERS -
COVER - 30650468
SIX POINT SOCKET SCREW - 986019 x4
Volvo engine cover fits perfectly and stops any more water getting in....
Costs were:
COVER - 30650468 - £16.56 inc VAT
SIX POINT SOCKET SCREW - 986019 x4 - £2.94 each
I'll also get some plugs from a local car parts shop and update once it's all done.
p4cks said:
So I'm going to do that. Against the grain of true shedding as it's a belt and braces approach but I'm here for the long run so I beg forgiveness.
Costs were:
COVER - 30650468 - £16.56 inc VAT
SIX POINT SOCKET SCREW - 986019 x4 - £2.94 each
I'll also get some plugs from a local car parts shop and update once it's all done.
Just throwing in my 2 cents FWIW, I had a misfire problem on a Focus mk1, changed coil pack etc. and problem did go away for a while but returned. I'd been using cheap leads though and still got the occasional misfire. Ended up splashing out on a set of Bosch leads and cured the problem instantly, ran really well after that for the next 2 or 3 years.Costs were:
COVER - 30650468 - £16.56 inc VAT
SIX POINT SOCKET SCREW - 986019 x4 - £2.94 each
I'll also get some plugs from a local car parts shop and update once it's all done.
Good cars, these Mk2 Focuses.
Bought a 2.0 TDCi Titanium Estate new back in 2007 for £14,000.
Still have it almost 13 years later.
Now on 166,000 miles.
Worst failing was the DMF and clutch at 17,000 miles. This was replaced with a non Ford part which is still going 149k later. Cost me £750 to get the job done at an independent garage.
Apart from that, it's pretty much been routine maintenance.
Other issues have been:
Gear linkage at 110,000 miles.
Front wheel bearings at 110,000 and 160,000 miles respectively. Let the garage do them.
CV joint at 150,000 miles. Just replaced the whole shaft with a good used part. Better than risk using a Chinese copy.
Bottom arms at 80,000 and again at 150,000 miles. Not a difficult job. Worth the extra to fit quality parts.
Drop links at 150,000 miles. Done at the same time as the bottom arms.
Exhaust at 115,000 miles. Fitted a cheap eBay system which cost £75.
Heater fan relay at 165,000 miles. Awkward job. Pretty much the same as doing the cabin filter.
Interior light bulb at 165,000 miles!
Changed the front discs twice and rear discs once.
Changed the battery once.
Couple of head lamp bulbs.
Timing belt and water pump at 110,000 miles. Easy job. Took 3 hours on a Sunday morning.
Still drives really well with 166,000 miles behind it. She smokes a bit under heavy acceleration and wears the inside edges of the tyres a bit prematurely. Apart from that, she is just starting to look a little tired. Lacquer flaking off the front bumper and the sills are beginning to show signs of rust.
As is the way with diesels, it gets more economical with age. Manages 47mpg around town and once cracked 60mpg over a gentle 150 mile motorway run. Uses very little oil.
The air-con still blows cold and has never been re-gassed. Still on original glow plugs, injectors etc. Central locking and electric windows all still good.
Mine is pre-DPF, so no issues there. I have blanked the EGR valve, which throws up an engine management light, but she runs a bit more smoothly. Just take the plate out each year for the MOT.
They drive really well. Good steering, handling and brakes. Quiet on the motorway. That Peugeot engine is a good old lump and will outlast the rest of the car.
Release bearing getting noisy, which will probably need doing before too long. Will put another clutch and slave cylinder in at the same time.
Has been a reliable, economical and really useful old bus and I will miss it when it finally expires.
Here she is 5 years ago, complete with TVR chassis...
Bought a 2.0 TDCi Titanium Estate new back in 2007 for £14,000.
Still have it almost 13 years later.
Now on 166,000 miles.
Worst failing was the DMF and clutch at 17,000 miles. This was replaced with a non Ford part which is still going 149k later. Cost me £750 to get the job done at an independent garage.
Apart from that, it's pretty much been routine maintenance.
Other issues have been:
Gear linkage at 110,000 miles.
Front wheel bearings at 110,000 and 160,000 miles respectively. Let the garage do them.
CV joint at 150,000 miles. Just replaced the whole shaft with a good used part. Better than risk using a Chinese copy.
Bottom arms at 80,000 and again at 150,000 miles. Not a difficult job. Worth the extra to fit quality parts.
Drop links at 150,000 miles. Done at the same time as the bottom arms.
Exhaust at 115,000 miles. Fitted a cheap eBay system which cost £75.
Heater fan relay at 165,000 miles. Awkward job. Pretty much the same as doing the cabin filter.
Interior light bulb at 165,000 miles!
Changed the front discs twice and rear discs once.
Changed the battery once.
Couple of head lamp bulbs.
Timing belt and water pump at 110,000 miles. Easy job. Took 3 hours on a Sunday morning.
Still drives really well with 166,000 miles behind it. She smokes a bit under heavy acceleration and wears the inside edges of the tyres a bit prematurely. Apart from that, she is just starting to look a little tired. Lacquer flaking off the front bumper and the sills are beginning to show signs of rust.
As is the way with diesels, it gets more economical with age. Manages 47mpg around town and once cracked 60mpg over a gentle 150 mile motorway run. Uses very little oil.
The air-con still blows cold and has never been re-gassed. Still on original glow plugs, injectors etc. Central locking and electric windows all still good.
Mine is pre-DPF, so no issues there. I have blanked the EGR valve, which throws up an engine management light, but she runs a bit more smoothly. Just take the plate out each year for the MOT.
They drive really well. Good steering, handling and brakes. Quiet on the motorway. That Peugeot engine is a good old lump and will outlast the rest of the car.
Release bearing getting noisy, which will probably need doing before too long. Will put another clutch and slave cylinder in at the same time.
Has been a reliable, economical and really useful old bus and I will miss it when it finally expires.
Here she is 5 years ago, complete with TVR chassis...
Pat H said:
Good cars, these Mk2 Focuses.
Bought a 2.0 TDCi Titanium Estate new back in 2007 for £14,000.
Still have it almost 13 years later.
Now on 166,000 miles.
Worst failing was the DMF and clutch at 17,000 miles. This was replaced with a non Ford part which is still going 149k later. Cost me £750 to get the job done at an independent garage.
Apart from that, it's pretty much been routine maintenance.
Other issues have been:
Gear linkage at 110,000 miles.
Front wheel bearings at 110,000 and 160,000 miles respectively. Let the garage do them.
CV joint at 150,000 miles. Just replaced the whole shaft with a good used part. Better than risk using a Chinese copy.
Bottom arms at 80,000 and again at 150,000 miles. Not a difficult job. Worth the extra to fit quality parts.
Drop links at 150,000 miles. Done at the same time as the bottom arms.
Exhaust at 115,000 miles. Fitted a cheap eBay system which cost £75.
Heater fan relay at 165,000 miles. Awkward job. Pretty much the same as doing the cabin filter.
Interior light bulb at 165,000 miles!
Changed the front discs twice and rear discs once.
Changed the battery once.
Couple of head lamp bulbs.
Timing belt and water pump at 110,000 miles. Easy job. Took 3 hours on a Sunday morning.
Still drives really well with 166,000 miles behind it. She smokes a bit under heavy acceleration and wears the inside edges of the tyres a bit prematurely. Apart from that, she is just starting to look a little tired. Lacquer flaking off the front bumper and the sills are beginning to show signs of rust.
As is the way with diesels, it gets more economical with age. Manages 47mpg around town and once cracked 60mpg over a gentle 150 mile motorway run. Uses very little oil.
The air-con still blows cold and has never been re-gassed. Still on original glow plugs, injectors etc. Central locking and electric windows all still good.
Mine is pre-DPF, so no issues there. I have blanked the EGR valve, which throws up an engine management light, but she runs a bit more smoothly. Just take the plate out each year for the MOT.
They drive really well. Good steering, handling and brakes. Quiet on the motorway. That Peugeot engine is a good old lump and will outlast the rest of the car.
Release bearing getting noisy, which will probably need doing before too long. Will put another clutch and slave cylinder in at the same time.
Has been a reliable, economical and really useful old bus and I will miss it when it finally expires.
Here she is 5 years ago, complete with TVR chassis...
Nice looking car, same colour as mine but slightly less miles (mines on 188k) and mines the 1.8tdci Bought a 2.0 TDCi Titanium Estate new back in 2007 for £14,000.
Still have it almost 13 years later.
Now on 166,000 miles.
Worst failing was the DMF and clutch at 17,000 miles. This was replaced with a non Ford part which is still going 149k later. Cost me £750 to get the job done at an independent garage.
Apart from that, it's pretty much been routine maintenance.
Other issues have been:
Gear linkage at 110,000 miles.
Front wheel bearings at 110,000 and 160,000 miles respectively. Let the garage do them.
CV joint at 150,000 miles. Just replaced the whole shaft with a good used part. Better than risk using a Chinese copy.
Bottom arms at 80,000 and again at 150,000 miles. Not a difficult job. Worth the extra to fit quality parts.
Drop links at 150,000 miles. Done at the same time as the bottom arms.
Exhaust at 115,000 miles. Fitted a cheap eBay system which cost £75.
Heater fan relay at 165,000 miles. Awkward job. Pretty much the same as doing the cabin filter.
Interior light bulb at 165,000 miles!
Changed the front discs twice and rear discs once.
Changed the battery once.
Couple of head lamp bulbs.
Timing belt and water pump at 110,000 miles. Easy job. Took 3 hours on a Sunday morning.
Still drives really well with 166,000 miles behind it. She smokes a bit under heavy acceleration and wears the inside edges of the tyres a bit prematurely. Apart from that, she is just starting to look a little tired. Lacquer flaking off the front bumper and the sills are beginning to show signs of rust.
As is the way with diesels, it gets more economical with age. Manages 47mpg around town and once cracked 60mpg over a gentle 150 mile motorway run. Uses very little oil.
The air-con still blows cold and has never been re-gassed. Still on original glow plugs, injectors etc. Central locking and electric windows all still good.
Mine is pre-DPF, so no issues there. I have blanked the EGR valve, which throws up an engine management light, but she runs a bit more smoothly. Just take the plate out each year for the MOT.
They drive really well. Good steering, handling and brakes. Quiet on the motorway. That Peugeot engine is a good old lump and will outlast the rest of the car.
Release bearing getting noisy, which will probably need doing before too long. Will put another clutch and slave cylinder in at the same time.
Has been a reliable, economical and really useful old bus and I will miss it when it finally expires.
Here she is 5 years ago, complete with TVR chassis...
Got all my bits and pieces and started work
Pretty straightforward really. The plugs were a little wet in cylinder 3 and 4 so dried that with some towel... then the HT lead attached to the 4th spark plug split so I've now ordered some new ones (again from cp4less, for £9.23 delivered)
Et voila:
No more misfire... well until the inevitable 4th cylinder misfire when the loosely fitted broken HT lead obviously has come loose
Pretty straightforward really. The plugs were a little wet in cylinder 3 and 4 so dried that with some towel... then the HT lead attached to the 4th spark plug split so I've now ordered some new ones (again from cp4less, for £9.23 delivered)
Et voila:
No more misfire... well until the inevitable 4th cylinder misfire when the loosely fitted broken HT lead obviously has come loose
Good thread. Going to have to use this as inspiration! I picked up this 2006 Focus Sport 1.6 petrol with 110k on clock. MOT until April next year, but has a rear wheel bearing going. Also slight rust on sills.
Total cost: £200.
It has annual service history since 2006, but i've replaced some parts (mainly due to discolouration) such as the windscreen scuttle. Also put the Volvo coilpack splashguard on as the car's last issue was water leaking through spray nozzles and pooling on coils causing a mis-fire. Changed intake filter and pollen filter (THAT WAS A FUN JOB). Pollen filter had not looked to have been changed since the car was delivered new as it was charcoal black and crumbled apart in my hand (also so many wasps???).
Next jobs are some new rear springs and wishbones. Had two new Rainsports put on front as old tyres were going bald and didn't want to mess about with ditchfinders as may have kids in back.
Total cost: £200.
It has annual service history since 2006, but i've replaced some parts (mainly due to discolouration) such as the windscreen scuttle. Also put the Volvo coilpack splashguard on as the car's last issue was water leaking through spray nozzles and pooling on coils causing a mis-fire. Changed intake filter and pollen filter (THAT WAS A FUN JOB). Pollen filter had not looked to have been changed since the car was delivered new as it was charcoal black and crumbled apart in my hand (also so many wasps???).
Next jobs are some new rear springs and wishbones. Had two new Rainsports put on front as old tyres were going bald and didn't want to mess about with ditchfinders as may have kids in back.
Edited by alex98uk on Saturday 12th October 11:27
Edited by alex98uk on Saturday 12th October 11:29
Edited by alex98uk on Saturday 12th October 11:32
Edited by alex98uk on Saturday 12th October 11:33
WJNB said:
A great down-to-earth thread about the liberating qualities of shed owning providing you're a bit DIY savvy. One in the eye for the brand/badge snobs.
Almost wish I needed a shed myself.
I'm already wondering what shed we will replace our currently fairly un-shed-like second car shed with. Almost wish I needed a shed myself.
I like the idea of owning a shed, something cheap to fix up, and run as a daily that you really don't care that much about. It's nice to read others experience of doing it, and seeing that it can be weirdly enjoyable. I certainly get a kick out of doing something myself on my car. I wish you all the luck with yours. Hope you sort the misfire.
I do love a mk2 Focus. I'm in my 9th year of owning one... Or two. At one point, I did think about buying a similar age Mazda 3 as a daily shed. Sadly, we only have the room for a car each, so I'm gonna continue to daily my current car.
My first was a 2005 Mk2 1.6 Zetec in mineral grey. Got it back in 2010 for roughly £5k, replacing my beloved first car, a 1.4 Daewoo Lanos (death trap). In 4 years it had new CV joints, a set of tires and some glorious front wheel arch rust (this was pre black strip on the bottom), and that was it. I just loved the way it drove, and how comfortable it was. I felt proud to own it, which was nice. Obviously, at the time, it was only a 5 year old car, not quite the shed we refer to them as now! I sold it in 2014 to my younger brother, who trashed it a little bit then sold it on. Pretty sure it's dead now.
In 2014, I upgraded to my Mk2 ST. It's a 2006 with 57k (now 86k) on the clock. It was completely standard. It's since had a few mods but nothing drastic. I'm currently looking to replace the 20/40 Cobra lowering springs with a Bilstein B12 kit, in the hope it'll improve handing as well as make the ride better. I love my ST, it's a fantastic car. I've had numerous itches to get something newer, better.... But there's something about it. Others that have owned one will completely understand. There's many better cars out there for sure, but the ST just has oodles of character.
I do love a mk2 Focus. I'm in my 9th year of owning one... Or two. At one point, I did think about buying a similar age Mazda 3 as a daily shed. Sadly, we only have the room for a car each, so I'm gonna continue to daily my current car.
My first was a 2005 Mk2 1.6 Zetec in mineral grey. Got it back in 2010 for roughly £5k, replacing my beloved first car, a 1.4 Daewoo Lanos (death trap). In 4 years it had new CV joints, a set of tires and some glorious front wheel arch rust (this was pre black strip on the bottom), and that was it. I just loved the way it drove, and how comfortable it was. I felt proud to own it, which was nice. Obviously, at the time, it was only a 5 year old car, not quite the shed we refer to them as now! I sold it in 2014 to my younger brother, who trashed it a little bit then sold it on. Pretty sure it's dead now.
In 2014, I upgraded to my Mk2 ST. It's a 2006 with 57k (now 86k) on the clock. It was completely standard. It's since had a few mods but nothing drastic. I'm currently looking to replace the 20/40 Cobra lowering springs with a Bilstein B12 kit, in the hope it'll improve handing as well as make the ride better. I love my ST, it's a fantastic car. I've had numerous itches to get something newer, better.... But there's something about it. Others that have owned one will completely understand. There's many better cars out there for sure, but the ST just has oodles of character.
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