What to do with my 04 Focus?

Trigger76

Hi All,

I've been looking to replace my 04 1.6 Ghia Focus(approx 75,000 mls), as misfortune would have it last week I had a catastrohpic engine failure. I was told the timing belt failed by Aviva Rescue and this was confirmed by the garage who have also said they suspect that the "valves are bent" with possibly further engine damage.

At the moment the car is sitting in the garage and Ive to make a decision? Its due NCT later in the year most likely need new tires and a couple of bits and bobs done. I reckon its probably not viable to get a lot of work done on it as its worth around 4 grand at best? Is it worth try to sell for parts or what way does that market work?

Any advice greatly appreicated
Cheers
T

MrDerp

Trigger76 wrote: »

Hi All,

I've been looking to replace my 04 1.6 Ghia Focus(approx 75,000 mls), as misfortune would have it last week I had a catastrohpic engine failure. I was told the timing belt failed by Aviva Rescue and this was confirmed by the garage who have also said they suspect that the "valves are bent" with possibly further engine damage.

At the moment the car is sitting in the garage and Ive to make a decision? Its due NCT later in the year most likely need new tires and a couple of bits and bobs done. I reckon its probably not viable to get a lot of work done on it as its worth around 4 grand at best? Is it worth try to sell for parts or what way does that market work?

Any advice greatly appreicated
Cheers
T

You could try sell it as is. I have no idea what the car is worth sans engine, but someone here might.

Anan1

Is it generally an ok car? If so, i'd find a trustworthy independent mechanic and have them fit a good secondhand engine.

Trigger76

Cheers for the replies

Yep, generally it was a grand car alright with no issues...I do want to change it though at this stage, going for a bigger "family car" at this point.

xual

Was the car on its first timing belt ( probably was ). Is there any warranty to cover the belt up to 80k.

When a belt goes there is untold damage to the engine. Sometimes you can get lucky and sometimes you may not.

(1) You might break the car for under a grand depending on whats salvaged, exhaust, gearbox, clutch body e.t.c

(2) You could get the max scrappage against a new car and haggle on the price. Believe me car sales are not what they used to be and haggling is the way ( I haggled 1500 off a 05 avensis 1.6 44kmiles and upped the warranty from 3 months to 12 ). Garages want to sell cars.

(3) This is I think the worst option but you could get them to fix up the car for a few grand and try and sell it on. You might only make even money. It could be lying around for a while and you won't have a new car in between.

Tough call. Sorry to hear it happened. Rotten luck

Mr Magners

Can I ask where it happened. I saw a Focus having a fairly catastrophic episode recently.

On the M7 Naas bypass by any chance. A wine-red colour?

Trigger76

I was in a car park in Sandyford just reversed out and it died, at first I thought it was something simple like I hadnt actually given her enough juice.... it was that eh....un eventful...so to speak...yet catastrophic at the same time

I bought car second hand , I reckon it was the first timing belt for sure....my own fault , no whingin out of me:rolleyes: just assessing the aulde options, cant afford a new car so scrappage deal isnt really an option for me.

whiterebel

A neighbour has a '00 Focus Estate, the timing chain(Belt?) of which packed in at about 95,000 miles. He told me that Ford would cover any the timing belt(chain?) and all repairs if it packed in before 100,000 miles, so as far as I know, his didn't cost him a penny.

EPM

Aren't this belts 10 years or 100k miles? What kind of service history has the car? It might be worth giving Ford a call. Have heard of them covering them in the past.

maidhc

Definately ring Ford and see what they have to say, you should be covered by them.

Even if you are selling it, a car with a new engine from Ford will be worth far more than one with no engine!

Anan1

EPM wrote: »

Aren't this belts 10 years or 100k miles? What kind of service history has the car? It might be worth giving Ford a call. Have heard of them covering them in the past.

I've heard that too. It might well be tied into the car having a FFSH, but it has to be worth a shot anyway.

Leonard Hofstadter

The belt shouldn't have failed - AFAIK Ford engines last to 100,000 miles without needing to be changed.

So yeah, definitely get onto Ford to see will they pay up. They should be willing to pay up quite a bit if the car was serviced on time and by a Ford garage.

Failing 25k miles before it's meant to be due is crazy tbh, especially on a car that's only seven years old.

If the worst comes to the worst, find a decent used engine in a scrapyard.

Hellrazer

Anan1 wrote: »

I've heard that too. It might well be tied into the car having a FFSH, but it has to be worth a shot anyway.

It is tied in to having a Full History but it doesnt have to be Ford service history.Seen them reject a claim not so long ago for having missed one service.

David09

You have pm!!!

Ush1

Hellrazer wrote: »

It is tied in to having a Full History but it doesnt have to be Ford service history.Seen them reject a claim not so long ago for having missed one service.

What if you serviced the car yourself?