Citroen C4 05 plate or alternative

Soldato
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Some fleets reckon on just 60,000 miles for Zetec E timing belts and idler pulleys. 35,000 miles still max for diesel timing belts. (Later 1.8 TDCi diesel engine is belt cam, not chain cam like 2.0 Mondeo TDCi.) On 1.8 petrol engines, timing belt tensioners are failing over 80,000 miles and 5 years old.

On estates and other models not fitted with plastic sill protectors, look for stone damage and possible rusting at rear bottom edge of front wheel arches. Corrosion can also start in hatchback at the sharp point in the recess for the rear screen. Look for flaked paint here. Rear window wiper action on T to W reg cars causes movement of the glass, scraping the paint in the base of the rear window V which is a natural rust trap. (Rust occurs even though the shell is supposed to be electro galvanized.) Paint can crack and corrosion can start around door mirror housings. Check door bottoms on cars over 5 years old as sealant can fail allowing water to settle there and rust through. Apparently not covered by no perforation warranty. Rear silencers can rot through in two years if car used for short runs from cold. Contacts in rear number plate light can rust up. Can suffer water leaks at rear through vertical light clusters and light contacts can rust up causing current drains. Also reports of rust in area around rear hatchback hinges and around chrome number plate light trim on Ghia models

Listen for rumbly rear wheel bearings, especially on estates, but quite a common failure on all Focuses. If not fixed under warranty, a suggestion from John Shuck in the USA is, "the bearing material was not properly hardened, aka nitrided to Rockwell C 60 or higher. So, get new bearings, find an aircraft parts guy, and get them nitrided ASAP. Also use a good grease. Krytox is good but expensive, so I use Amsoil Series 2000 racing grease, drop point is at 540 degrees F." Temporary speedometer/odometer failures quite common, so speedo and odo may not have recorded actual mileage covered. Number of reports of flywheel failures on diesels.

Some late 'W' and early 'X' reg 2.0 litre Focuses were fitted with Mondeo inlet manifolds and sometimes refuse to drop below 2,500 rpm.

The pins which hold the foot pedals in place may fall out, leaving the driver unable to brake or declutch.

Sharp front edge of parcel shelf can chafe back seat material. Some cars have a protective strip over the parcel shelf edge. Others don't.

Reports of front springs breaking on 1999-2000 Focuses: bad news because it untwines and tears up the tyre and front brake pipe. Further spate of coil spring failures on 1998 - 2001 cars over 2006 to early 2007.

1.4 and 1.6 models can have a problem caused by spark plug interferance with their GEM (Generic Electronic Module). This controls instrument cluster, interior lights, rear heated screen timer, front wiper intermittent, central locking, airbag, reverse lamps, rear wiper, trip computer, etc. The cure is to realign the cylinder head temperature wiring and cable tie it to the engine.

Report in Autocar 10/4/2002 that USA NHTSA had received a number of reports of burns from airbag pyrotechnics ('Autocar'10-4-2002).

On late cars there have been instances where the power steering loses pressure when the driver suddenly turns the steering on to full lock. All power assistance may then be lost and the feeling is that the steering will not turn. Dealers will make a small modification to the power steering stops free of charge and the power steering will feels different on full turn.

Seems to be a common problem of failed injection pumps on 1.8CDTIs due to an electronic fault. Many traders are wary of Focus 1.8CDTIs as a result and will not take them in p/x unless the pump has been replaced.

How to programme a spare remote key: www.fordf150.net/howto/patskey.php

Fuel level sensor in tank can play up and Ford dealers usually quote for whole lifter pump assembly to be replaced at £250.

Poor starting and hesitation of Focus petrol engines may be due to loss of pressure from the fuel rail, itself either due to a gasket failure or due to failure of the rail, which is expensive at over £400 fitted. Though another possibility is a cracked crankshaft breather pipe. Front disc and pad problem on American production Focuses has led to a class action against Ford in California. More at (American Link) www.fordfocusbrakeproblems.com

Focus speedometers dropping to zero can be due to a failure of the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) plugged into the final drive. A clean of the contacts can fix it but more usually it needs replacing at a cost of £100 - £150. The fault may affect other instruments and warning lights. The traction control warning light may come on along with the engine warning light. Indicated fuel economy might drop. Acceleration might be affected. Problem of all Focus models suddenly losing power may also be be due to the failure of the 'fly by wire' electronic throttle sensor. Or hydrocarbon build up in the throttle body.

Speedometer, fuel gauge and temp gauge, odeometer/tripometer all failing, plus various lights flickering on and off symptoms of dried out contacts in the panel circuit board necessitating a new instrument cluster at £376.

ST170s can suffer from prematurely rusted welds to their catalytic converters. One reader had a catalogue of problems with a Focus ST170: "Brakes have failed, engine cut out twice on the motorway, won't start, air-con would'nt turn off, hesitant at all speeds, noisy tappets, the list goes on".

By 2008, dual mass flywheel failure on 2.0 litre models and diesels had bedome common. 'Dual mass flywheel' failures create iron filings which in turn accumulate on starter motor magnets, leading to starter motor failure. Ford will sometimes contribute to the very high replacement costs of dual mass flywheels and clutches (£1,200) if the car has done less than 45,000 miles.

Fresh spate of reports of failures of both the electronics and the transmissions of 4-speed autos in autumn 2007.

Reports in 2007 of five year old Focus suffering steering rack failures.

On petrol models fluid from screenwasher pipes can leak onto the top of the block and if the car is not used a lot evaporating it off the fluid can eventually rust the spark plugs.

If the heater fan fails on its first one two or three settings, the resistors have probably gone and that they can be accessed on the right hand side of the glove box. Ford franchises usually carry spares. Inside the glove box, on the right, there is a screwed panel behind which reside the resistors and fuses. The resistors needing to be replaced are listed in the car's manual.

New Focus from late 2004.
Recalls
TSB 3/1999 'Knocking noise when braking' requires a different torque setting on one of the lower suspension arm bolts. It also states a new bolt and nut should be fitted, and notes that care must be taken to assemble the washers in the correct order, and that the torque should be applied to the bolt and not the nut. 61,000 cars built Sept '98-Mar '99 recalled in July 1999 for better waterproofing of alternators to prevent short circuits. Announced Daily Telegraph 16/7/99. Cars built Sept-Nov '98 recalled in October '99 to cure possible failure of door latches. TSB 52/1999 entitled 'Rattle or knocking noise from front suspension over rough surfaces' and involves too much freeplay between the spring and upper seat, This is rectified by the fitting of a rubber insulator between the spring and mount. 2000: rear light bulb holders rust around the bulbs. New rear light fittings are installed under a Technical Service Bulletin if a rear bulb fails. (Discovered 28/2/2000) 101,000 Focuses recalled: 1.8 litre and 2.0 litre Zetec E-engined Focuses recalled because oil filler cap can come adrift and oil then be blown out over engine. Wiring harnesses also to be checked for correct routing. ECUs of 1.6 litre Zetec S to be re-programmed if engines suffer from intermittent loss of power. (Announced Daily Telegraph 18/3/2000.) TSB 40/2000 entitled 'knocking noises from engine bay uner load changes is a misalignment between the engine rear mount and bracket. Rectified by fitting new components. TSB issued to Ford agents to replace the rear hubs of Focus models fitted with rear disc brakes when in for a service due to snapping of the wheel studs. (Announced 25/4/2000): defect in ECU of Saarlouis and Valencia cars built March 1999 could cause inadvertent deployment of airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. 30/5/2000: all Focus automatics recalled because excessive crankshaft end float may allow torque convertor to contact crankshaft position sensor leading engine to cut out. Revised crankshaft thrust bearing and new crankshaft position sensor to be fitted. (Unknown date) 2.0 litre Focus models recalled for brake master cylinder to be replaced. 2001: diesels checked under Ford TSB system for possible air leaks into the fuel system. TSB on 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec engines which suffer from stalling suggests that Power Control Module may need recalibrating using 'FDS2000' diagnostic equipment (source Backroom 21-9-2001). Another TSB on 1.6s that if engine cuts out to replace clutch switch bracket. 21-5-02 Alternator B+ terminal may break leaving battery + cable loose. Check alternator and replace as necessary. TSB No.63/2002 31.10.2002 Model: Mondeo 2001 with 2.0L DuraTorq-TDCi engine built from 10.2001 (build code 1K), Focus with 1.8L DuraTorq-TDCi engine built from 05.2001 (build code 1B. Engine running erratically or does not start. Common cause is that the fuel pump is unable to deliver the required fuel rail pressure due to wear of the cam, rollers and shoes. The damage is caused by insufficient bedding of the rollers during early life. This also creates metallic particles which can enter the high pressure fuel system and lead to injector failure. To rectify this concern, a revised fuel pump, new injectors and associated parts should be installed. If this concern is present, it will generally be indicated by a flashing glow plug indicator showing that a fault has been detected. This bulletin supersedes TSB 63/2002 dated 08.08.2002, which should either be destroyed or clearly marked to show it is no longer valid (e.g. with a line across the page). Additions have been made to the Parts Required and Labour Times. The Service Instruction has been ammended. September 2005 (build April 2003 to March 2005): Recall of 68,722 Focus and C-Max for checks on the windscreen wipers. Water can work its way into the wiper motor along the arm of the blade. If the water contains salt it can cause the motor to short circuit and leave cars without working wipers. In extreme cases, the short circuit can also cause the wiper assembly to overheat and melt nearby trim components. Cars to be fitted with a new cover, which better seals the motor from water. Journalist Philippa.Mina tells us The US Department of Transport describes the problem as "Vehicle Stall at any speed due to contamination blocking the intake mesh on the Fuel Delivery Module, located in the fuel tank.” Ford in the US has extended the warranty for the fuel delivery system of the 2000-2001 Ford Focus for 10 years from the original start date. It specifies that vehicles covered by this programme are: "certain 2000 and 2001 model year Focus vehicles built at the Wayne and Hermosillo Assembly Plants from Job 1, 1999 through June 13 2001. Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS". Because of the use of canbus wiring (where various components share the same power cable) the failure of one can affect the others.

Starting and running problems and the car reverting to limp home mode can be due to the Power Control Module cluster gateway not closing properly and draining the battery overnight. May need to be reloaded with manufacturer data to overcome a sofware error.

Estates have suffered water leaks due to non sealing of hatchback hinges.

Mysterious 'Engine System Faults' on diesel leading them to lose power and revert to limp home mode may be caused by an intercooler pipe weld fault leading to a crack in the pipe. On 1.6TDCI the thin steel turbo to intercooler pipe can split. It cracks in two places in opposite directions emanating from the "start" and "stop" of the upper bracket weld. Fractures are of a fatigue nature resulting from vibration ,the bracket being rigidly attached to the engine.

Problem of 1.6 and 2.0 16v diesels slipping into limp home mode put down to throttle butterflies sticking or their spindles wearing prematurely causing them to stick. The throttle position sensor identifies this and sends a message to the ECU to limit the engine to limp home mode.

Front windscreen rubber surround can come adrift at the top middle of the screen directly below the aerial.

Front leading edge door seals can come adrift, admitting water.

Rust appears on the back of the front wheel arches. The underseal in this area is inadequate and Ford has introduced a fix which involves a small strip of plastic that runs the length of the under sill and front wheel arch.

Pipes to screen washers can spring a leak and drain into spark plug orifices, causing corrosion of the plugs that leads to them becoming stuck fast in the head. Seems to be a TSB to replace the original washers with a revised design to stop water leaking onto the cylinder head.

End of plastic dipstick of 1.6 TDCI engine can break and drop into sump requiring removal of sump to retrieve it.

On the 1.6 auto, a sound like a relay clicking on and off repeatedly at idle or light throttle settings (at first thought to be connected with the rough idle) is explained as the Bowden cable connecting the gear shift to the gear box has an alloy junction box situated inside the car under the interior fan unit to provide free play. Re-routing the cable in the engine bay so it is no longer under tension gets rid of the noise.

Spate of PAS pump failures late 2008 - early 2009 when cars were 3 - 4 years old.
 
Soldato
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Morba...
What part of ''engine losing power'', ''short circuit in alternator'', is not a serious problem ?

I'd rather have my ABS fail than my alternator fail, driving is perfectly without abs and driving without an alternator really isn't, unless you take the battery out and charge it ever time you come home...
 
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Soldato
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Funny how I kept my recalls specific to cars ONLY MADE IN 2005 and you choose to list EVERY SINGLE RECALL on a Focus in the last TEN YEARS.

Are people missing the fact that I only listed failures specific to 2005 cars?

2004, 2005, 2006....who cares?

Nobody should have to buy a car that catches fire in 2004, blows up in 2006 but will be okay in 2005 with some indeterminate build number.
 
Caporegime
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Then why list cases for cars made in 1999? A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MODEL.

70% of the wall of text has no relevance and is related to the MK1 FOCUS.

At least I kept it relevant.
 
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Caporegime
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He does what he wants!

I was trying to be slightly helpful by listing the issues with the 2005 cars (most of which extend back to 2004 as well) and people counter that by listing EVERY fault on EVERY Focus made.

:)
 
Caporegime
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EDIT: nvm, I fail.

So erm, why can't he simply inspect the car before purchase, and see if it has none of the named faults ?

THAT IS WHAT I WAS POINTING OUT. If you see my post it says, IF you DECIDE to buy one, LOOK OUT FOR the faults I've listed. Then people blow it out of proportion and babble on about 1998 Foci. I'm not forcing the OP to do anything, I am helping them to make and informed decision and people are providing misleading information.
 
Caporegime
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Location
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I was stating specific issues to the specific model year of car. Mark Davis has a fit and lists cars back to 1998 including US cars, estates, Diesels, engines that aren't even in the new model and so on.
 
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