If I will buy a new Ford Focus which engine?

[alrayworld]

Hi Guys,

if I will go buy another focus, which engine should I choose?. My old focus 2001 spi died on me last 3 months due to valve seat drop and I don't want to go
another route like engine swap or rebuild machine. which engine you guys can recommend? I don't want to experience the same problem with my old focus.

Thanks.

[Sponsor]

[mac.mogul]

Can't go wrong with a Duratec. 2.0 or 2.3, both very reliable engines.

[alrayworld]

Thanks.

[LouBomb]

Zetec are easier to find, and can last 200k with proper maintance.. Duratecs are awesome but a lot harder to find..

[mac.mogul]

You're kidding? Every Focus from 2004-2011 has a Duratec in some form (sans SVT)

[sailor]

Kinda depends on the locale, various engines were sold in different markets.

If you ARE in a CA emissions area for example, Duratec is common - and I've heard some other areas got a lot as well.

FWIW, most of the grenaded Duratecs I've heard of here started the problem with running low on oil (hadn't been checked for a long time) and you can guess the results....

[whynotthinkwhynot]

I dunno, I think Canada is not under CARB- LOL.

The PZEV, 03-04 Duratec, was available in all states if someone ordered it, but required in "green" areas. After 05, all Focis are Duratecs, but only the ST has the 2.3L engine. One of the known problems might actually help you out. There is an issue with the "tumble flaps" which are in the plastic intake manifold. These were put in there by Ford to increase low end torque and efficiency. The flaps flip down partially blocking the intake plenum, and increasing air velocity at low rpm. At high rpm, the flaps open up to allow more air in. Over time, the bushings wear out, and the tumble flaps rattle. It sounds like horrendous valve noise, but it's not. You can determine if it's tumble flaps or valve noise by using a mechanic's stethoscope trick with a screwdriver. I did it on my car, the valve cover was silent (aside of the whirring you'd expect)- the intake manifold was not! For a long time, I thought it was the valves- and I've been working on cars for a very long time. I even had a friend who is still racing listen to it- he thought it was valves. If someone without this knowledge was driving this car, they might be scared, take it to a mechanic, and it might not ever get repaired. They they would want to sell the car.

To fix it, you need a new intake manifold, but it's not super duper serious. I've been driving my car with bad tumble flaps now for like 20k miles or more. Lots of people think it's merely injector noise, so there are probably Focis out there with more miles on bad tumble flaps than mine.

There is no timing belt on this engine, it's a chain. The oil is very easy to change, the filter is beside the oil pan at the front of the engine compartment.