A pre-2000 Focus with a 1.4 Zetec SE lump has suspected damage to either bottom end bearings or main bearings (not sure which). Symptom is a slight rattling when revved, doesn't seem to be top end but there is no smoke or oil loss either.

Anyway, after a brief google it seems that the 1.4's are notoriously weaker than others, but I've also heard it thrown around that parts of the block assembly are not rebuildable in these engines. Something to do with the main bearings not having dowels. Could anyone elaborate on this?

Thanks in advance

 

Bump, someone must have had experience with these engines before..

 

Couldnt tell you about rebuilding it but if you looking to replace it with another 1.4 engine then good look finding one! 1.4 focus are not a common sight compared to the 1.6 petrol and the 1.8 diesel, so they fetch good money!

Just put a 1.6 in from the same year, drop it in and plug it all in, all the same!

 

Thanks for the reply mac. That's interesting to hear, and explains why I've pretty much seen only 1.6's on autotrader. I've seen 1.4 Focus lumps advertised on eBay, around £200 is about the going rate for them..

I have read that Fiesta and Puma engines can be interchanged easily between themselves, but I'm not so clear on whether the Focus is the same as both of them. Engines from the three cars all have different codes..

Also, are you sure it's a good idea to plug a 1.6 lump up to a 1.4 loom and ECU? How does the ECU know how to alter the fuelling for the extra displacement, just lambda adaptation? If it's been done before then who am I to question, as long as it will pass an MOT though..

And presumably the engine needs to be from a similar age car as you mentioned because of analogue/digital clocks? What is the crossover date for the Focus?

Thanks again

 

So I've been reading my Fiesta (Mk4-5) Haynes manual and the Zetec SE engines (all with aluminium blocks) seem to be unrebuildable in terms of crankshaft removal. "There are no manufacturers torque settings supplied for the main bearing caps" and "it is not possible to refit the main bearing caps to the cylinder blocks using conventional tooling". Apparently the big-end shells are also "unusual in that they don't have any locating tabs and must be accurately positioned during refitting".

I've discovered that the rocker covers (ie silver or black tops) seem to be quite important. Am I right in saying that there are older "Zetec E" engines out there (with silver tops) that are different to the Zetec SE engines in the Focus, Puma and Fiestas? Can anyone shed any light on this please?

Oh and to put a 1.6 unit in as an alternative, after thinking about it some more from last night, I take it I would need a 1.6 ECU and key (with immobiliser chip) aswell, for the correct fuel/ignition maps?

 

A 2.0 duratec engine would be nice. plenty st engines about, or a vtec just to be different.

 

I totally agree..