Having a bad run with the Focus lately

DZFord · 15-03-2011, 09:11 PM

Sorry guys, just need to vent some frustration!

1. 3 months ago, CV Boot fails and leaks grease all over my engine bay, $400 fix.

2. Soon after, the battery failed, called RACV, new battery installed.

3. 3 weeks ago, got rear-ended whilst stopped, going in for panel work on Monday.

4. Today - I was just driving home and as I turned into my street, I saw the battery light come on, and heard a really loud whining noise, which increases with engine RPMs = alternator fail!

The gods are frowning upon my car at the moment.

photn · 16-03-2011, 03:57 AM

Welcome to my world DZ, Car spent 10months off the road. Yes it was for a new engine and supercharger - but i also got 70% of the drivetrain replaced, New CV joints, clutch, flywheel, recondition gearbox, LSD, new boots etc etc. Also got a new battery and a new Altenator just for checks and measures.

melbzetec · 16-03-2011, 05:33 PM

Don't you hate it when you have to replace the bits that aren't sexy????

If cat converter fails you can replace with hi flow sports cat.

If shockers go, you can replace with Bilstein units.

But an upgrade battery, alternator, or CV joint boot? Damn, nothing sexy to be had there

kevino · 16-03-2011, 06:50 PM

DZ Ford
Whats the kilometres on your 2006 job?
How much did those parts cost you. Got a 2006 just about on 100000kms.

I sometimes wonder whether its better just to trade it on a demo which doesnt break down and give you big surprise costs -but of ciurse you end up with a car loan costing you $100 a week plus.

I woudl be really interested to know what kms and cost you got hit with.

DZFord · 16-03-2011, 08:32 PM

Photn, at least you came out of it with a supercharger! I think it was a great call on your behalf to have 70% of your driveline installed.

melbzetec, it's sad but true - absolutely no sexy bits to be replaced in my case.

Kevino, I've done 65,000km. The CV boot was $383 inc. labour at Ford.

Just got quoted $565 (!!!) for the alternator from Ford today. Ford is going to do the installation - I'm just way too busy with work at the moment to do it myself (its about 3 hours work), plus the car has to be ready for panel repairs come Monday!

DZFord · 17-03-2011, 07:49 PM

Got the car back today, it runs well, although I'm much poorer now - alternator was $535. I'd love so say I love my new, shiny alternator but its hidden deep down in the engine bay and you can barely see it.

DZFord · 18-03-2011, 11:18 PM

Bad went to worse today (for a while, anyway...). Was driving on the Maroondah Highway near Eastlink and all of the sudden..power steering failure...then I lost the radio, the dash, then all power. I managed to crawl to the side and pull over but I couldn't even put my hazards on...no power there either.

I started searching under the bonnet, and behold...the muppets at Ford forgot to secure the positive lead on the battery terminal after replacing the alternator. It was placed on, but not tightened down. It had almost managed to jump off the battery altogether.

Without a spanner in my car, I couldn't get it to stay on securely. So I rang the RACV - they couldn't send someone out because I was in a danger zone, I first needed to be towed out. 90 minute wait...no chance! I called a mate, he brought down a spanner and all was fixed.

I restarted the car and all was fine. I was thinking...why the power steering failure? Then I remebered the Focus has electro-hydraulic power steering.

#Russ#Es# · 23-03-2011, 10:59 PM

You have had a bad time of it DZ! Hopefully that's it form a LONG while!

Interesting how Ford dealers (or any mechanic really) can get such simple things wrong. A couple years ago after a Ford service I noticed the bonnet moving at 110+ on the Princes Hwy coming into Syd (busy road). Don't know how the bonnet was down but not completely closed and not noticeable. Let's just say I pulled over pretty quickly, and the service dept got a not so happy call.

DZFord · 24-03-2011, 04:50 PM

Finally got the car back today from the panel shop, repairs look great. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong!

Russ, my Ford service department also got a call, and they were very apologetic. Although mistakes do happen, not securing a battery lead is unacceptable when you're paying $100/hour labour.

DZFord · 31-03-2011, 02:14 PM

Nope, the bad run continues.

Last night on the way home, check engine light came on. Plugged in my OBD2 Scanner...P0400 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation Malfunction. I checked the EGR electrical connection and everything seems to be fine there. Looks like I'll be stripping the EGR valve in the near future. Pain is, to do that, you need to drop the coolant...and I just changed my coolant not long ago!

DZFord · 06-04-2011, 08:27 PM

You wouldn't believe this but today a workmate's alternator died, she also drives a Focus, the same model, built in the same year, same month (Dec 05 build, Jan 06 registered).

Looks like the alternator only has a 5 - 5.5 year lifespan.

Riksta · 06-04-2011, 09:36 PM

Don't say that, mine's an October 2005 build! (Dec 05 1st registered).

DZFord · 06-04-2011, 10:29 PM

It could just be a complete coincidence....

....or maybe not!

Riksta · 06-04-2011, 10:32 PM

Guess I'll find out soon enough hey!

Out of interest, what are the km's on the ones that have needed alternators?

Mine's now at ~112,000.

DZFord · 06-04-2011, 10:43 PM

I think it is an age related issue, not a mileage problem. Mine has done 66,000km, hers has done 110,000km, so almost double.

DZFord · 07-04-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZFord

You wouldn't believe this but today a workmate's alternator died, she also drives a Focus, the same model, built in the same year, same month (Dec 05 build, Jan 06 registered).

Looks like the alternator only has a 5 - 5.5 year lifespan.

Just an update here: she had it towed to Ford, who tried to charge her $310 for a new battery (she talked it down to $240) AND THEN quoted her $1260 for the new alternator (parts + installation). They said they could probably knock it down to around $1000 when she complained.

I'm not going to name the dealer in question here, nor am I posting this to "name and shame", but just a lesson to all of us to watch out, and to always get more than 1 quote if possible.

Franco Cozzo · 07-04-2011, 05:04 PM

LOL $1000 for a new alternator.

Take it to an auto electrician, theres not much that goes wrong with alternators, the things that can go are voltage regulators, rectification diodes and the brushes.

You oculd get it reco'd for under $300 easy.

XR5-Boy · 11-04-2011, 06:00 PM

Yep. An auto electrician should be able to recondition it for way less. I did that when I had the Cougar as a new one was over 600 bucks! Got an auto electrician to replaced the brushes etc and any bits that had worn. Cost me 300 bucks in the end.