Mk4 focus 1.5t 3cyl ticking.

[Griddon]

Hi all.
Recently acquired a dealer demo mk 4 focus trend. Drives well and so far I'm impressed with the car. All apart from the pretty horrendous ticking from the engine. Not much to go on via Google. Just one video on YouTube which seems similar to my problem. Link here. https://youtu.be/eXlt4C5R04Q

Plenty of other videos for different ford ecoboost engines talking about lifter tap or broken pistons. When I test drove the car I didn't notice it. Given how loud it is on cold start and under load Im fairly certain it's a developing issue. Just shy of 8000kms.

Just wondering if other owners can comment. Most notable on cold start and light to medium pedal driveways. Remains noticeable at fully warm. Tapping frequency rises with engine speed. If it's a characteristic of the vehicle then I guess I might save a visit to the dealer.

[russellw]

No it's not a characteristic of the engine, it's a sign that something is wrong and given it's under warranty, make it the dealers problem.

[Sherlock708]

Hi Griddon, I’ve got the exact same issue on a Feb 2019 build (MY19.25) Focus ST-Line Ticks under load in gear and goes away when hot. It sounds like a dodgy bearing on a pulley or noisy lifters.

Mine has done 53k. I thought it was a dodgy bearing on the idler pulley or tensioner. I got it checked by two different ford dealers. One of them did their due diligence and took the belt off while it was cold and took it for drive and the noise was still present as described.

They did the same thing to a new one and still had the same noise. They have noted and acknowledged the noise, they just don’t know what it is. The best they can do at this stage is monitor it if it gets worse.

I thought I was the only one and going mad. I wonder if anyone in other markets like Europe and the U.S. are experiencing it? Perhaps the Aus market gets different oils or something? Our premium fuel not being low enough in sulphur? I don’t know.

Other than that I love the car.

[Griddon]

Well since Covid arrived I've only done 3000kms since taking delivery of the car. The noise at cold start is really terrible but I can't fault performance, economy and nor has code been set. As such I think its a characteristic of the engine. The ford service manager for my dealer actually visited to experience the fault first hand and I'm overdue taking the car in for them to review.
I don't think it's a fuel issue. Our sulphur content in 91 isn't great at up to 150ppm allowable but I think 95 and up are competitive with other regions.
Anyway. Great car for the money. I'm living with the noise on cold start and enjoying the performance once warm!

[fiestaz]

A lot of cars now are really loud on cold start. Mazda’s, my i30 listed goes on. I believe it’s a direct injection thing.

[marg99]

one option is to ensure nothing is hitting the engine bay while the engine rattles on cold start making matters sound worse. touch a few things like coolant tank aircleaner box etc to see they contribute to the noise.