I'm looking (hoping!) to get the Mrs a half decent focus for about £1300, tough job i know!

A mate says the 1600 lump is weak, and to go for the 1800 or 2000.
It doesn't really matter about performance etc as it a round town and the odd 10 mile journey on a duel carriageway car.

What's the problem with the 1600 engine then? Pro's and Con's anyone

 

I have a 1.6 Focus, had it now for 3 years (as in sig pic below) not had any really major issues, just a couple of small niggles, that were easy and cheap to sort out.
As long as what your buying has a full service history and well maintained you should have no massive/major problems

A 1.6 will be a better compromise for economy than a 1.8 or 2.0 for the type of driving that you're going to be doing.

The 1.8 is not that different to the 1.6, the only difference with the 1.8 is it has better mid range grunt.

OK a 1.6 wont be a rocket ship compared to a 2.0 ST170, but what is it that you want, a flying machine or a decent run around that'll be cheap to run?

 

Cheers mate, so not a week engine then as long as they're looked after!

looks like i just missed a good one in the for sale section. Bugger!

 

As with anything mate, if its not been looked after/abused, expect problems.....

A mate of mine bought a 1.4 CL for his missus 3 years ago and that hasn't missed a beat for her at all, all she uses it for is the school run and the work commute.....

 

If you change the rod bolts they cal rev to 8000rpm. So not weak in standard form

 

right fuck it, i'm gonna ignore his advice and look at one anyway.

What the fuck would he know anyway, he just my grease monkey! lol!

 

i know 2 people that have had to have new engines fitted to there focus , the 1.6 is the weakest out of the 3 engines . the problems are with the bottom ends not sure what but ford said that her engine was really mashed up , they said she had put the wrong oil in , so she had to have the oil tested to prove to ford that all was well at her end and lucky ford did all the work under warranty. she later found out that it a common fault and thats why all secondhand 1.6 engines sell for around £450/500 and you can pick up a 2.0 engine for £200

cheers paul

 

As with anything IF you have bought 2nd hand and it turns out a previous owner had been constantly revving the arse off it in the past, not looking after it, not keeping to the scheduled services. it'll turn out to be 'weak' compared to something else.

Driving a 1.25 zetec engine, for example, at 100mph everywhere ar 6-7K rpm is different than doing 100mph everywhere in a 4.75L Bentley at 2K rpm The 1.25L will last 5 mins after being revved senseless, whereas the Bentley will be just hapilly ticking over and pprobably last forever............

 

Nope not true at all, the 1.6 is the best compromise for power and economy, probably why it's the most popular! (The same engine was fitted to the Fiesta Zetec-S)

I have one that I use as an every day car, done 70,000 miles now, was my first car still have it now 5 years later and NOT ONE problem , I really do not think there are many people that can say that! Nothing special either always serviced by myself.

It won a German award for it's reliability.

I have known these to do alot more a member on here done 160,000 and claimed it was still as "Tight as a drum".

That bottom end problem is a myth and I think it's down to lack of oil, also as with any Zetec engine you want to be using Ford's Reccomendation so a good quality 5W/30 weight.

1.4 is best avoided unless your only going to be driving round town.

In the shoot out I have from Autocar from 1998 where the Focus won out of all it's rivals they also amongst all other aspects named the then new 1600 Zetec (As it was introduced in the Focus) as the best engine of all the rest as well.

Oh another tip the 1600 is cheaper on tax than the larger capacities and equivilant rivals, this is due to the 165 G/KM

Martin

 

Had the 1.6 16v zetec-se in the mk5 zetec-s. I had one for 3 years. and gave it some real stick. Regular oil change and servicing , cam belt at 60k changed the water pump at same time.

And had no problems with it. Great engine i'd say go for it.

The problem is the same with these as with any other engine. if there abused (servicing and use) they will inevitably let you down just try find one with a reasonable history.

There all Alloy too so a much lighter than the 1.8 and 2 as they use a cast iron block. So have the weight advantage.

 

Having a look at a 1.6 ghia tomorrow. Old fella by the sounds of it, who's giving up driving due to having cancer :-(

I'm gonna feel a right twat bidding him in the bollocks for it if the car is right!

Full ford service history, i'll have a flick through the book and reciepts.

Cheers for the help people.

 

Where the fuck are you going? Your breakers is ripping you off!

The 1.6 is not a weak engine in the slightest, the only time problems arise is with poor servicing, people not checking oil (You're best off keeping the oil just under max.) and people ragging them from cold. Your mate clearly knows fuck all if he thinks they're weak!

 

I have just bought this for my sister's house mate. Focus 1.6 Silver (ltd. edition based on the zetec) 2002 02 plate, 119k miles, full Ford history, 1 owner, full MOT, leather, heated seats, air con, e/w, alloys etc etc. pretty tidy car, just needs machine polishing on a couple of marks on the body and 2 track rod ends and would be mint £1800

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170591811419&ssPageNam e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Drove it home 20 miles and it seems superb on fuel! A little gutless but picks up well when you rev the shit out of it lol! I forgot just how well they handle for just a standard 'shopping car'

Here's an even cheaper one but couldn't be bothered to travel to see it

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250758221474&ssPageNam e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

i run a 1.4 as a family car and its fine. bought with a blown engine for 350 quid,engine was 275 quid. had it for a year now and its ace. just bought a 1.6 that did its cambelt for 341 quid to sell on. bought a 1.6 black top to go in that. just look at the money they fetch compared to the equivilent vauxhall etc.

 

how did you get on with the viewing?

 

Got there and the old boy weren't there, popped out to the shop

He described the car as 'you won't be disappointed'

Well, it was a bag of shit! FSH? Yeah right! couple of stamps to about 30k! Dents all over, dog hair etc etc. Drove shit too, kept wanting to stall.

Thanks, i'll let you know....... lol

 

Lying old git! lol

Don't worry there isplenty out there to choose from in the £1300 - £2000 price range, you will find the right one

 

As all you other guys have already said if they are looked after they are a fantastic engine. My misses has a 2002 1.6 Zetec Focus that she's had for 5 or 6 years and i honestly can't think of a single problem that she has had. It gets serviced when it should and she generally looks after it and it's a great car. I'm in the minority when it comes to handling though as i don't think it handles as well as my Mondeo 2.0 Si, bends that i can comfortably take at say 60-65 mph in my car i would take at 50-55 mph in her car as it seems to have more body roll than my car but as you've said it's just gonna be a town car with the odd dual carriageway now and then a Focus 1.6 would be ideal.
Get one bought, i doubt you will regret it.

 

My Ford focus 2002 1600 now coming up to 3 hundred thousand on the clock just going to have an engine overhaul new cam shaft belt seals etc oil change every six months

 

My Ford focus 2002 1600 now coming up to 3 hundred thousand on the clock just going to have an engine overhaul new cam shaft belt seals etc oil change every six months

 

300,000 miles on the clock!!! that must be some sort of record for a Focus 1600 engine!!!!