Focus 1.4 Engine Issues (Yeah, I know it's rubbish)
 

Hi there, this is my first post here and I am a car noob in need of some help.

I have a Focus mk1 1.4 (W Reg, 136,000 miles) which has been burning more oil than is ideal for the last year or so. I've been told by the garage we use that it's likely to be worn piston rings.

However, recently whilst driving home on the motorway I suffered a huge lack of power and I had to go very gently as whenever I gave it much throttle the engine sounded like a bag of spanners with a lot of knocking.

After this the engine would start then after 5 seconds the revs would drop and it cut out. I traced this to the MAF sensor which I cleaned and all was ok.

Until I changed the oil which contained what looks like very small gravel. I tested with a magnet and it's metal not gravel.

We cannot afford to replace the car, so I was wondering if anyone had a clue as to what the metal particles in the oil are.

What I'm asking is, is it likely to be piston rings that are failing or damaged valves, bearings etc?

Lee.

Sounds fooked mate.
If the car is worth it, second hand engine ........

Lol, that's kind of what I was thinking. The rest of the car is spot on and we can only borrow enough cash to replace the engine if I do the job myself.

Are there many issues when dropping in a replacement engine? My brother in law is going to help as he's done similar things a few times before.

I'd like to fit a 1.6 instead but I think the insurance company would punish me for it.

Lee.

edit: I've been looking for another engine but am unsure which 1.4's will fit. Did Ford fit the same engines to the Fiesta, Focus and Puma?

Look for a 1.4 from a Fiesta, Fusion, Puma or Focus.
These engines commonly burn oil through their valve stems, but your engine sounds seriously nackered.
Try get a low mileage engine. When you get your new engine be gentle to it when it's cold and change the oil every 6 months or 6k.

My 1.6 Focus is on 85,000 miles and was owned by my Mum whos a district nurse since it was new (2003) and I had it off her a year ago. Always had yearly oil changes until I had it and my Mum never thrashed it. Does use a little oil (litre every 2000miles?) but it's getting better the more I change the oil?

My GF has a 1.25, 40,000 miles and when she had it it had yearly oil changes. My GF has no mechanical sympathy and has been thrashing it from cold. 2,000 miles later and the top ends tapping like hell. Sounds like a diesel!

These engines love fresh oil, kept under 2,000rpm when cold (2,500rpm up hill say) and a good blast now and again when they're hot.

my 1.4 runaround doesnt burn any at all its a 2002 with 40k on clock and its never missed a beat, but yours does sound knackered and i would drop the 1.6 in its pretty much a straight swap my mate can change them in a day, and your gaining nearly 30 bhp :grin:

It's very tempting. It depends on what the insurance company would say though really. I suspect they'll charge a chunk extra because it's a modification.

The 1.4 (1388cc) is underpowered really anyway, seen as the 1.6 is the same engine (Just larger displacement) it would be a straight swap to the latter, the ECU may need swapping though.

The 1.4 was used in older Fiestas and it was originally 88HP! It had to be detuned for emissions reasons, hence it is 75HP, the said Pumas and Fusions also had this engine.

Due to the design of this engine, it cannot be rebuilt, well the bottom end at least, it's classed as a throw away component.

See what you mean about insurance though, it's silly really though as it essentially would be the same as one you could buy from the showroom.

Martin

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Thanks,

Jonny

I have 2004 Focus 1.4, and engine is broken, can i just put 1.6 engine without any modification? :)

Weni, NO.
You would need a 1.6 ecu also and I don't know if the wiring loom is the same for the 1.4 and the 1.6. The new ecu needs to be connected to the anti-theft system in your car and this can be done by a dealer or Ford specialist.