Mk1 Focus (diesel) questions

Flibbles · 28 May 2010 at 19:43

Today I test drove a 1.8 TDDI mk1 Focus and a few things concerned me.. I'm posting here because I've no idea if it's normal or not, as the only other cars I've driven are a Fiesta ST 2.0l and an 04 Corsa SXI.

1) The brakes seemed to require considerable force on the pedal to work properly, and that's even when going at around 30mph. Is this normal? My gut instinct says it isn't but here it is anyway.
2) The clutch seemed almost non-existent - the pedal appeared to have like half the depth (for lack of a better description) of the other cars and the bite seemed to be very erm, brief. I had no trouble with gears though.. is this a diesel attribute?

Thanks for any help folks.

LEK-89 · 28 May 2010 at 20:07

Brakes sound like they might need new pads or some sort of adjustment, did you have a close look at the brakes by any chance? Also look at the brake discs too.

Also be wary on the Ford TDDI engines too as it has been said that they suffer reliability problems with the injectors (I think it is the injectors?) and that the TDCI diesel engines are much more better - do a search for the TDDI's on here.

Liam

Cristian · 28 May 2010 at 20:21

Flibbles said:
2) The clutch seemed almost non-existent - the pedal appeared to have like half the depth (for lack of a better description) of the other cars and the bite seemed to be very erm, brief. I had no trouble with gears though.. is this a diesel attribute?

that sounds like a clutch that is on its way out.
have a look here as well. http://www.ehow.com/how_7687_diagnose-slipping-clutch.html

Dogbreath · 28 May 2010 at 20:30

LEK-89 said:
Also be wary on the Ford TDDI engines too as it has been said that they suffer reliability problems with the injectors (I think it is the injectors?) and that the TDCI diesel engines are much more better - do a search for the TDDI's on here.

Liam

Other way around; the TDDI is an old fashioned mechanically injected system, the TDCI is a common rail design with very expensive and fragile injectors.

Flibbles · 28 May 2010 at 20:39

Thanks for the advice chaps; if I go look at the car again I'll take my brother who's a mechanic along with me. I'm not really technically minded- I can do an oil change but that's about it.

I may steer clear though as there's no lack of Focuses around, after all.

LEK-89 · 28 May 2010 at 21:09

Flibbles said:
Thanks for the advice chaps; if I go look at the car again I'll take my brother who's a mechanic along with me. I'm not really technically minded- I can do an oil change but that's about it.

I may steer clear though as there's no lack of Focuses around, after all.

Yep their are plenty of Focus's about, I went to view 5 Focus's when I was looking for one and the 5th one I went to view, I came back home with

I've had it 3 weeks now and absolutely loving it! (52 plate 1.6 Petrol Zetec model).

Thanks for clearing that up about the TDDI & TDCI engines

Liam

Flibbles · 28 May 2010 at 22:48

I've decided to go find and test drive some more tomorrow, is there anything specific to the Mk1 Focus that I should look out for?

Also if there's anything different about driving diesels compared to a petrol, that'd be handy to know too. I know how most of the power is low in the rev range and that turbo's tend to kick in at around 2k rpm(?) but that's all I know really.

LEK-89 · 29 May 2010 at 14:38

Try and go for the Zetec trim model as they have the better sports suspension on them.

Other stuff to be wary of:

rust around the boot lid
minor rust on the wheel arches (not as common as it is on other cars like pre-2002 Fiesta's but there are Focus's about which have not been looked after very well & can develop this rust)
Check the front springs to make sure they have not cracked or snapped (not common either but it has been known to happen on some which have done a fair few miles)

Most importantly I would get one that has got service history, doesn't have to be full service history but its important to know if the car has been serviced & what has been carried out in the past. Definately avoid one that has not got any service history at all or if the Ford service history book is missing.

Lastly if it has done 100K+, make sure that it has had a full cambelt change including tensioner & pulleys etc. If it has not been changed & it is overdue then avoid. I think a full cambelt change inc. parts & labour on Focus's cost around £200.

Liam

Flibbles · 1 Jun 2010 at 00:38

Thanks for the tips, 'tis greatly appreciated.

I test drove another Focus today, this time a TDCI Ghia and it was a far, far better example than the one in the OP. Everything responded as I expected it would and christ did it have some kick once it hit the magic 2k revs. Strong whoosh sound as well from the turbo, didn't hear that at all in the TDDI iirc.

As you can tell I was very impressed by it but the dealer would not budge from £2800 which as far as I can tell is somewhat overpriced. It's an 03 plate 1.8 with 101k miles on the clock. FSH, cambelt at 95k etc.. generally appears to have been well maintained but still- it seems overpriced. I offered 2600 but he wasn't having any of it so I walked- I'll just find another one.

At least I know how a good diesel Focus performs now.

LEK-89 · 1 Jun 2010 at 08:58

Glad you found a very looked after one & now you know how good its supposed to feel

But yeah you were right to walk away, £2800 is way overpriced. Did you find out how long he's had it for sale? If he's had it for a while keep a close eye on it and see if he's still not sold it in the next 2-4 weeks if he lowers the price, he may lower it to the £2600 mark.

Liam