ST engine destroyed itself
Discussion
'07 Focus ST 2.5T which has just hit 60,000.
had it serviced a main dealers at 60k
driving back i noticed a small exhaust noise under load, almost a popping sound. All the dials however were in the normal zone and the car was performing as normal. The car needed to go back to the dealers for new rear discs and pads so i left it. I talked to a friend of mine who is more technical than me - he reckoned on a loose or punctured turbo hose or at worst a failing turbo.
Couple of days before the booked brake change i also started to detect a rattle from the engine, something mechanical rather the exhaust gas. A friend commented that it sounded like a diesel on start up but it was booked into the dealers the next day.
I advised them of the problem and they said they'd look at that and then change the brakes.
I got a call a few hours later to say that they'd not started the brake work as they were still investigating the rattle but they feared the worst as they'd found swarf in the air-filter. the dealers is a short walk from work so went over to look and sure enough there was plenty of swarf in th fresh air filter.
i left the car with them whilst i was away for a week and they investigated further.
Got a call on thursday to say that the main bearings on engine have failed which have, in failing, also damaged the crank. apparently there's a small oil pressure release valve near the sump, this had failed causing oil not to reach bearings with the inevitable conclusion.
they've advised a new engine is required at dealer fit cost of £6.5k.
i've yet to talk to them directly, that's a job for tomorrow morning.
so, questions;
1) anyone heard of a similar issue? garage have said that they've talked to a Volvo engine specialist who is aware of this problem on race prepped T5 engines...
2) could this have occurred since the service (about a week and 500 miles) or an underlying problem that was possibly exacerbated by the service?
3) a new engine? really? (difficult to say without the full details from the dealer but that's their advice)
4) i've looked and found specialists who claim they can repair any ST engine, no matter the problem - anyone got any experience with these type of companies?
any other thoughts?
had it serviced a main dealers at 60k
driving back i noticed a small exhaust noise under load, almost a popping sound. All the dials however were in the normal zone and the car was performing as normal. The car needed to go back to the dealers for new rear discs and pads so i left it. I talked to a friend of mine who is more technical than me - he reckoned on a loose or punctured turbo hose or at worst a failing turbo.
Couple of days before the booked brake change i also started to detect a rattle from the engine, something mechanical rather the exhaust gas. A friend commented that it sounded like a diesel on start up but it was booked into the dealers the next day.
I advised them of the problem and they said they'd look at that and then change the brakes.
I got a call a few hours later to say that they'd not started the brake work as they were still investigating the rattle but they feared the worst as they'd found swarf in the air-filter. the dealers is a short walk from work so went over to look and sure enough there was plenty of swarf in th fresh air filter.
i left the car with them whilst i was away for a week and they investigated further.
Got a call on thursday to say that the main bearings on engine have failed which have, in failing, also damaged the crank. apparently there's a small oil pressure release valve near the sump, this had failed causing oil not to reach bearings with the inevitable conclusion.
they've advised a new engine is required at dealer fit cost of £6.5k.
i've yet to talk to them directly, that's a job for tomorrow morning.
so, questions;
1) anyone heard of a similar issue? garage have said that they've talked to a Volvo engine specialist who is aware of this problem on race prepped T5 engines...
2) could this have occurred since the service (about a week and 500 miles) or an underlying problem that was possibly exacerbated by the service?
3) a new engine? really? (difficult to say without the full details from the dealer but that's their advice)
4) i've looked and found specialists who claim they can repair any ST engine, no matter the problem - anyone got any experience with these type of companies?
any other thoughts?
Ouch - bad luck fella.
Either a recon engine or sell own car as it stands and getting another/something else or another ST were my thoughts as well & seem a better idea than dropping 6.5k on a new engine. You can be in a facelift car for not much more than 10k, which can't be all that far away from that new engine cost and proceeds from current non-runner.
Hell, that engine is worth twice as much as my ST in it's entirety
.
Either a recon engine or sell own car as it stands and getting another/something else or another ST were my thoughts as well & seem a better idea than dropping 6.5k on a new engine. You can be in a facelift car for not much more than 10k, which can't be all that far away from that new engine cost and proceeds from current non-runner.
Hell, that engine is worth twice as much as my ST in it's entirety
.Car is worth £6k on Parkers so not much point in dropping £6.5k on an engine.
Not spoken to the specialists yet, waiting for full written report from dealer first, but i've found info online indicating price for repairs etc
Annoyingly i was thinking of changing the car for something more frugal later in the year (70 mile a day commute in a 25mpg car ain't clever) but now I might have to repair this one and keep it for a bit longer...
ah bugger
Not spoken to the specialists yet, waiting for full written report from dealer first, but i've found info online indicating price for repairs etc
Annoyingly i was thinking of changing the car for something more frugal later in the year (70 mile a day commute in a 25mpg car ain't clever) but now I might have to repair this one and keep it for a bit longer...
ah bugger
SamT1993 said:
Speek to the dealer and ford u may get a good will claim as it hasnt done many miles . worth a try anyway
not had the car from new - bought it 2010 with 26k on the clock and full service history. it's an 07 plate but can't remember whether the dash is red illuminated or not.
been to see dealer although service manager wasn't it but gathered some more info;
- apparently the swarf is on the oil filter not the air filter as i was originally told
- damage is restricted to the bottom of the motor so nothing wrong with the pistons, valves etc which was a concern
so looks like damage is limited to the bearings, crank, case, assorted pumps and sundries which is a positive in my view but i'm struggling to see the need for a complete new motor that they are still recommending.
going back at 5 for a longer chat with the technician and the service manager
been to see dealer although service manager wasn't it but gathered some more info;
- apparently the swarf is on the oil filter not the air filter as i was originally told
- damage is restricted to the bottom of the motor so nothing wrong with the pistons, valves etc which was a concern
so looks like damage is limited to the bearings, crank, case, assorted pumps and sundries which is a positive in my view but i'm struggling to see the need for a complete new motor that they are still recommending.
going back at 5 for a longer chat with the technician and the service manager
I work at a ford dealer in the bodyshop in york and have seen numerous focus st's in for new engines when this oil seal or whatever it is fails, bit late now but all focus st owners should be aware of it and get parts replaced for peace of mind!
Has it got full service history with a ford dealer at the correct intervals??
Has it got full service history with a ford dealer at the correct intervals??
Justin S said:
I would be speaking to pumabuild or similar about supply and fit of a decent replacement engine and turbo. Swarf may well had filled every nook and cranny of that engine now. Gutted, but I am sure you should get a decent engine done for a couple of grand.
This is the last thing id do! They are robbing b
ds and their communication and postage skills are st! I know numerous people who have had problems with pumabuild.Id simply buy a second hand engine low mileage and replace the offending part as a precaution!
arfur sleep said:
not had the car from new - bought it 2010 with 26k on the clock and full service history. it's an 07 plate but can't remember whether the dash is red illuminated or not.
been to see dealer although service manager wasn't it but gathered some more info;
- apparently the swarf is on the oil filter not the air filter as i was originally told
- damage is restricted to the bottom of the motor so nothing wrong with the pistons, valves etc which was a concern
so looks like damage is limited to the bearings, crank, case, assorted pumps and sundries which is a positive in my view but i'm struggling to see the need for a complete new motor that they are still recommending.
going back at 5 for a longer chat with the technician and the service manager
By the time you've replaced all the bottom end of the engine it would be far far cheaper to buy an engine from a scrapper.been to see dealer although service manager wasn't it but gathered some more info;
- apparently the swarf is on the oil filter not the air filter as i was originally told
- damage is restricted to the bottom of the motor so nothing wrong with the pistons, valves etc which was a concern
so looks like damage is limited to the bearings, crank, case, assorted pumps and sundries which is a positive in my view but i'm struggling to see the need for a complete new motor that they are still recommending.
going back at 5 for a longer chat with the technician and the service manager
Lad i know had his engine go pop when his belt tensioner on his pre-facelift ST failed and the belt slipped a couple of teech, valve to piston contact on every piston etc.
Choices were new ST pistons, rods, valves, headwork etc £3500, or RS items for £200 more.
Went for the RS stuff and is now running around 400bhp
Choices were new ST pistons, rods, valves, headwork etc £3500, or RS items for £200 more.
Went for the RS stuff and is now running around 400bhp
AdamC1983 said:
I work at a ford dealer in the bodyshop in york and have seen numerous focus st's in for new engines when this oil seal or whatever it is fails, bit late now but all focus st owners should be aware of it and get parts replaced for peace of mind!
Has it got full service history with a ford dealer at the correct intervals??
It has from when I took it on - might be a little sketchy before that but i will check. Reckon that will make any difference if it has a FSH, dealer has been very non-communicative about assistance in that respect. Has it got full service history with a ford dealer at the correct intervals??
Damage is apparently confined to the bottom of the engine - bearings, shells etc but obviously I expect there to be other - as yet - unseen damage as the dealer has stripped back to position where they are comfortable with saying new engine at £5.5k plus VAT...
I'm leaning towards taking it off them and getting a friend of a friend (who race preps various makes of engines) to have a look and assess damage. If he reckons repairable, then go with that. My mate (who is no mug when it comes to internal combustion engines) used to buy his rally car engines from him so i'm confident that he's competent).
Alternative is to buy a replacement unit from ebay (couple on there about £1800 a piece) and switch it.
If the Bottom end has gone in a Ford Focus ST 2.5T I'd been lead to believe that it is in fact a Volvo unit "b5254t3" (according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_Modular_engine
Maybe someone can confirm if the bottom end of an old 1998 Volvo V70 block would suit as a replacement for the bottom end of the Focus ST?
Maybe someone can confirm if the bottom end of an old 1998 Volvo V70 block would suit as a replacement for the bottom end of the Focus ST?
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