1.0 Ecoboost Fiesta - what to look out for

[Legend83]

In our hunt for low-cost motoring for the wife a 1.0 Ecoboost Fiesta with 74k on the clock has come up in budget. I know nothing about these engines other than they were well regarded on release and are in a lot of Ford cars so I shouldn't be too worried...however reading on line there are several instances of turbo and cooling failure.

Is there anything I should specifically check / questions I should ask when I go and view it? It is a private sale so obviously no warranty back-up...

[treeroy]

Legend83 said:

In our hunt for low-cost motoring for the wife a 1.0 Ecoboost Fiesta with 74k on the clock has come up in budget. I know nothing about these engines other than they were well regarded on release and are in a lot of Ford cars so I shouldn't be too worried...however reading on line there are several instances of turbo and cooling failure.

Is there anything I should specifically check / questions I should ask when I go and view it? It is a private sale so obviously no warranty back-up...

The engine problems with 1.0 ecoboosts from like.. 2018 i think? Where a load of them burst into flames.
There was a recall issued for these cars and you should make sure that it has had this work done to it. I don't believe there have been any cases of them catching fire post-recall.

Edited by treeroy on Monday 2nd March 11:45

[Legend83]

treeroy said:

The engine problems with 1.0 ecoboosts from like.. 2018 i think? Where a load of them burst into flames.
There was a recall issued for these cars and you should make sure that it has had this work done to it. I don't believe there have been any cases of them catching fire post-recall.

Edited by treeroy on Monday 2nd March 11:45

Ok cheers, DVLA site suggesting no outstanding recall work due so hopefully covered.

[VR99]

I drive a MK1 focus and would happily buy a newer focus (petrol) as like the look and handling of them but..the ecoboost tech doesn't seem durable IMO. They have fixed the initial issues with remediation work but as a potential buyer if I have to nurse the engines carefully and worry about them self combusting on the M1 or other longer runs compared to my MK1 1.8 which just takes abuse and laps it up...then that's enough to put me off.
That's just my view and I'm no expert so best to get a broad set of opinions then decide. It night be that I'm worrying over a non-issue but there has been a lot more issues with ecoboost Vs the albeit less efficient and less powerful n/a engines used previously.

[Muzzer79]

The Ecoboost engine requires a specific-grade oil so make sure it's been serviced by someone reputable who would use that oil and not just what's lurking in a barrel.

Apart from that, not much. My OH has one - it's a great little engine and surprisingly nippy.

[Toyoda]

Legend83 said:

Ok cheers, DVLA site suggesting no outstanding recall work due so hopefully covered.

Put the reg into Ford Etis website.

[No_Idea]

A family member has one of these and just went to Ford for a service.. They charged over £350. Around £100 was for oil alone

[browna]

I was previously looking at early fiesta ecoboosts, Have a look up about the coolant pipe ( I think) to the turbo which tends to rust and if it goes to bad then it’s a whole new turbo needed. The fix is to slap some hammerite on the pipe before it gets too bad.

[mikeiow]

Daughter has a low mileage (now about 20k, ex old lady 1-owner!) 2014 (£0 RFL!) model: nice burbly engine, she loves it!
Not sure about anything specific to look for, but it drives very smoothly and is good even on motorways for a smaller car.
If you get titanium spec (like hers), it has most bells and whistles you’d ever want: cruise, decent sound (with Bluetooth), heated front screen etc. Hers is only missing satnav, but she uses Waze anyway.
Nice cars.

[Legend83]

browna said:

I was previously looking at early fiesta ecoboosts, Have a look up about the coolant pipe ( I think) to the turbo which tends to rust and if it goes to bad then it’s a whole new turbo needed. The fix is to slap some hammerite on the pipe before it gets too bad.

Or replace it with a better / new pipe presumably?

Thanks for all the pointers so far.

[browna]

That’s the problem, the pipe that rusts is integral to the turbo, so can’t be replaced on it’s own.
It was fixed on later cars tho, not sure from when soz.

[Legend83]

browna said:

That’s the problem, the pipe that rusts is integral to the turbo, so can’t be replaced on it’s own.
It was fixed on later cars tho, not sure from when soz.

Can a non-mechanic like me get to it easily to visually inspect?

[browna]

Yeah you can see it pretty easily or stick a phone under the pipe to take a pic. Have a look on the Ford owners website, lots of threads on there with info/ pics etc.