FOCUS ST170 service

corktina

My car is due a service and I don't see why I shouldn't do it myself. AT this stage I have no idea what needs doing, I don't even know where the oil filter and drain plug are :-)

SO I'm looking for useful tips...anyone?

Hal1

I would check the condition of the oil should be a light golden colour on the dip stick. I think the oil viscosity on the st is the same as standard focus, if so 4.5ltrs of 5w30 semi sythethic oil is needed. Check your owners manual to be sure. The oil filer is on the front of the block and the drain plug is at the backside of the sump. I struggled with my oil filter as was on too tight so use a strap to remove if it doesn't turn by hand.

The air filter and cabin (pollen) filter under the passenger side scuttle panel will need changing. The spark plugs and ht leads may need changing (I think these are non standard type so may need to be ordered from ford). Again you can check the condition to see if they are fouled in anyway.

The brake fluid should be renewed as part of a major service. It's an easy enough job even for a novice at these things. I used a gunson kit from halfords was cheap enough and have used it a few times now. Check the brake pads for wear or to see if they are glazed over.

Check when the timming belt was changed might be mentioned in the service book. Auxillery tensioner pulleys and belts might need renewing too. Have a look at the coolant level, checking for any leaks especially during the cold weather Avoid topping with water only.

The fuel filter is a pain in the hole to do, but not impossible. You do need child like hands to access it though. I had to crawl on my back to get to it. It's a small job and should take about 10 - 15 minutes to do. The fuel pump relay needs to be pulled first. The filter is located near the drivers rear wheel in a crevese. It take a 10mm socket with extension bar to get the bracket off.

Well hope this helps, you might not need to renew everything I've mentioned but worth checking their condition before making that decision. Best of luck with it and let us know if you get stuck onanyting.

corktina

Hal1 wrote: »

I would check the condition of the oil should be a light golden colour on the dip stick. I think the oil viscosity on the st is the same as standard focus, if so 4.5ltrs of 5w30 semi sythethic oil is needed. Check your owners manual to be sure. The oil filer is on the front of the block and the drain plug is at the backside of the sump. I struggled with my oil filter as was on too tight so use a strap to remove if it doesn't turn by hand.

The air filter and cabin (pollen) filter under the passenger side scuttle panel will need changing. The spark plugs and ht leads may need changing (I think these are non standard type so may need to be ordered from ford). Again you can check the condition to see if they are fouled in anyway.

The brake fluid should be renewed as part of a major service. It's an easy enough job even for a novice at these things. I used a gunson kit from halfords was cheap enough and have used it a few times now. Check the brake pads for wear or to see if they are glazed over.

Check when the timming belt was changed might be mentioned in the service book. Auxillery tensioner pulleys and belts might need renewing too. Have a look at the coolant level, checking for any leaks especially during the cold weather Avoid topping with water only.

The fuel filter is a pain in the hole to do, but not impossible. You do need child like hands to access it though. I had to crawl on my back to get to it. It's a small job and should take about 10 - 15 minutes to do. The fuel pump relay needs to be pulled first. The filter is located near the drivers rear wheel in a crevese. It take a 10mm socket with extension bar to get the bracket off.

Well hope this helps, you might not need to renew everything I've mentioned but worth checking their condition before making that decision. Best of luck with it and let us know if you get stuck onanyting.

certainly does help. The oil is actually very clean looking but I intend chenging it and the filter as a matter of course and using a good oil (recomndations ?) as the car is a "keeper" . Timing belt not due (only 73000 up and my mechanic said not to bother for a good while yet (100k intervals, 2004 car, so I'll do it next year at the latest)

I'll check out the plug conditions and have a look at the filters, (I'm guessing the filters are cheap, so I'll prob just change them whilst I'm looking...)

I don't think 73000 is a major service, so I'll be leaving the fuel filter also brake fluid alone (looks nice and clean as does the coolant)

ST200 Mondeo should be on the road 1st Jan, so will leave the service on the Focus til it goes back on the raod after 3 months rest.

Hal1

I don't buy premium brand name oil, I used to go out of my way to get the best of the best. But it performs as good as any brand of oil. So I just buy halfords or the local motor places oil.

I use this as a reference to checking teh spark plugs: http://www.theultralightplace.com/sparkplugs.htm
The air filters are cheap, but for a car like you have it might be worth investing in one that will last and peform better. They can be cleaned too, a k&n panel filter just made better then the standard type. So your hangin onto the mondeo for a while then?

corktina

Hal1 wrote: »

I don't buy premium brand name oil, I used to go out of my way to get the best of the best. But it performs as good as any brand of oil. So I just buy halfords or the local motor places oil.

I use this as a reference to checking teh spark plugs: http://www.theultralightplace.com/sparkplugs.htm
The air filters are cheap, but for a car like you have it might be worth investing in one that will last and peform better. They can be cleaned too, a k&n panel filter just made better then the standard type. So your hangin onto the mondeo for a while then?

oooh I just rememebereed, it ahs a K^N on it... :-)

mondeoman2

[QUOTE

ST200 Mondeo should be on the road 1st Jan, so will leave the service on the Focus til it goes back on the raod after 3 months rest.[/QUOTE]


make sure you check the water pump on your st200,The impeller is made from plastic & can break apart.
very expensive if that engine overheats with 2 heads:eek:

Lots of info here http://www.talkford.com/topic/136014-v6-water-pumps/
and here http://www.talkford.com/topic/139491-mondeo-v6-water-pump-fix/

corktina

seems OK to me...but thx for the heads up...not that it's on the road yet, ;-) not having any tax....

mik_da_man

This should cover your ST170, I know it works for my 08 ST.

Plug in your Reg/VIN and you can generate a service schedule and check outstanding service actions:

http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do