2001 Focus Maintenace/Replace

[BillyBarty]

Hey, I have an 01 focus wagon (DOHC Zetech) and I am at a possible crossroads. Its got 194k on it and needs a ton of maintenance work done: shocks, timing belt (water pump should be thrown in here I suppose), as well as needing a new power steering pump at some point in the near future. Since all of that work would add up to be worth more than the car at this point, is it still a good investment? The car seems to run fine no other engine or trans problems. Thanks for your advice..

[kwillett]

have you replaced the timing belt before?

[BillyBarty]

I got the car at around 70,000mi and I'm not sure it was done before, but I have not had it done in the last 120,000....

[benkap]

There is no way it needs two and a half grand in maintenance if you do the work yourself. A well maintained Focus could give you another 100k.

The question then is are you bored enough with the car to replace it at 5 grand or much more?

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[BC_ZX3]

A few points:
1) Any potential buyer for your car would expect that maintenance work done. If it obviously hasn't been done, expect to get beaten up on your asking price.
2) The cost of all that work - which really isn't that much for a car with that mileage - will still be far less than the alternative of buying another used vehicle or a new vehicle.
3) If you get the work done and keep the car, you can expect it to keep going quite a while longer. The Zetec engine is pretty robust when given the proper maintenance; several people on here have higher mileages than you.
My $0.02.

Edit: benkap beat me to it.

[BillyBarty]

I'm not afraid of doing car work, but the timing belt is more than I've ever done myself. Anyone have experience with this model engine?

[deadend9009]

Whats wrong with the pump? Replace the fluid and see if it makes it quiet again. Timing belt and water pump is about 250$ from one of our vendors, all Ford original parts. Shocks? meh, do you really need it?

Lets hear what symptoms your car is having and we'll tell you whats up!

[BillyBarty]

Well, the accessory belt tensioner blew-up on me and when they were replacing it and the belt they said that the power steering pump pulley was loose and not long for the world. The rear tires are wearing really fast and was told by another mechanic that the shocks should be replaced "before the end of the summer" that was the summer of 2010 so I assume they are needing some work at this point. Also, there's a kind of clicky side to side sound/feeling that reading about sounds like I need some sway bar end links.

[deadend9009]

All 4 of my shocks are blown and the car still drives. Have the car aligned if your tires are wearing quickly in the rear. Im serious, you dont need new shocks. Is the ps pump making noises? DO replace the water pump when you do the timing belt. The timing belt is usually done at around 120 000 miles, although it can go for a while and still work, as is your case.

The clicky noise, is it when going over bumps or when you are steering in a parking spot?

[BillyBarty]

The ps pump is not making noise as far as I can tell. The clicky noise comes with road bumps. I guess I should also add that the car rattles a lot when the ac is on. Though I haven't tried to find the culpret on that yet.