i have an 05 2.0. the only problem it had in 116k was an alternator. the car was kept up great and driven by my mom for 104k, i got it at 104k and have had it since. then out of nowhere it started piston slapping and making a horrible sound after 3k rpm. i dont have time to rebuild the stock motor so im just going to get a stock replacement from a junkyard. LOVE the car, kindof upset that i need a new motor. but hey ill have an 05 focus with 50k on it soon.

 

Hmmm, I was sort of hoping to reach something like 150k before having to address any serious issues other than routine maintenance. At 150k I dare say I could throw it away and feel like I had gotten my money's worth.

 

alternater isnt a big thing

 

it seems like im the only one with a serious issue though.

 

just hit 100k, been turbo for 5-10k and it still runs great.

 

it seems like im the only one with a serious issue though.

Well, if that's the case...... Obviously my condolences for you. But at the same time......whoopee! [woot]

 

lol well hopefully this new motor will be good. if it holds together for a while i think im putting a 75 shot on it.

 

I don't believe there is any major issues with the Duratec motor. Its rock solid. There will of course be the occasional person with a problem, but there is always a small risk with even the most reliable engines.

For evidence, go look at Consumer Reports and TrueDelta reliability ratings. The 05+ model Foci have great reliability records for not only the motor but all major under-the-hood components.

 

I don't believe there is any major issues with the Duratec motor. Its rock solid. There will of course be the occasional person with a problem, but there is always a small risk with even the most reliable engines.

For evidence, go look at Consumer Reports and TrueDelta reliability ratings. The 05+ model Foci have great reliability records for not only the motor but all major under-the-hood components.

I have an 03 zx5 with a 2.3 duratec with 305,000 mi on it and it still doesn't burn any oil.

 

It depends how it's driven and how well/often regular maintenance is done. But I would say the longevity mainly depends on how it's driven.

 

My 03' 2.3 ZX3 just hit 118040, with no issues other than a weird intermittent disappearing 3rd gear while on the 1320. []

 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...=2007&pager.offset=200&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=58&standard=true

I saw a few more with over 180k but im to lazy to keep searching...trust me these motor are tough.

 

well my 05 has over 113k on it and ive owned it since 38k and beat the snot out of it and i havent had to replace anything engine wise.

 

the only intake manifold problem i can think of is the pvc valve is located behind it, resulting in having to remove the intake manifold to change it out. there has been a handful of people that have had the hose either collapse or crack causing problems. however recently someone on here brought it to the dealer and they were able to change it without taking the manifold off with a special set of long pliers.

can't say much from my point of view because i only have 33k on mine, but i will say that i have not had one single problem with my car, it's been very good to me, i don't drive it real hard all the time but that doesn't mean i don't open it up from time to time.

 

About 122 on mine. Alternator went a couple times, replaced a coolant sensor, had the heat shields rattle loose under the car, replaced a few bulbs here and there, cat replaced under warranty, replaced the MAF back under warranty too.

No trips to the dealer or for service other than routine maintenance in about 30k miles. I drive on country/county roads to and from work and I bought my car new in late 04.

I'm gunning for 200k. I hope to drive the car for a couple more years before I trade or sell it. Engine runs like a top.

 

2004 ZX5, manual 5 speed, bought it new, changed oil every 3-4k no major issues...

have 103,000 miles on it now, no isues, noting major, always starts up...

expect to last well beyond 200k

 

75k on mine, have had two problems, both in the intake manifold involving the tumble flap system, neither has been over $200 to fix, just difficult to trace down.

If you want to see how hard these will last, go find a girl with a Miata ('cause real guys don't drive Miata's...) and see how badly she's beaten it up, or a Mazda3 that was given to a high schooler for his/her 16th bday and how well it's holding up now. Granted there are differences between what Ford and Mazda do with it, but my wife has an older Mazda Protoge with the Dtec in it, and it's still rolling along after 140k.

Like any motor, though, it's not about the motor itself, but the owner/caretaker. If you run a motor to the ground at every red light, it's not gonna last you too long. If you throw a 250 shot of NO2 into our car, it's not gonna last more than 1/10th of a mile. But if you clean it, change the fluids, take care of any issues that do pop up right away, and just be smart with your car, you can make it last as long as you need to.

 

Ditto, nuff said!

 

Haven't had any problems with the motor itself. Have 70k on it now. Only real issue with the car I have had was the reverse switch went out. No biggie.

 

just broke 100,000 on my '06 last month! Ive had to replace my alternator, due to drag racing (on a track), and my power steering pump.

 

The alternators kinda suck on these things when it comes to longevity. I had one under charge and the next over charge. On my third one now. All were Ford units.

Can't say that it's gonna benefit everyone, but I usually suck out the old power steering fluid with a turkey baster and refresh the fluid every 30-40k miles. The stuff comes out black. So far, so good, but I'm on borrowed time for a lot of stuff at 122k miles.

 

Can't say that it's gonna benefit everyone, but I usually suck out the old power steering fluid with a turkey baster and refresh the fluid every 30-40k miles. The stuff comes out black. So far, so good, but I'm on borrowed time for a lot of stuff at 122k miles.

You have no idea how well that works. My other car (an 88 325is BMW) still has it's original steering rack and pump from new (almost 30 years old). This is often upgraded to shorter ratio steering racks from later models when it fails. Considering I don't race or track the car, makes it a useless upgrade to me. No leaks, groans, or moans after all these years of conventional ATF fluid.

A bsd helps w/ lonevity.....Just need to keep up w/ checking the oil w/ 4.5 qtrs.

bsd?

 

^^^I like that turkey baster idea... I'll have to try that.

My '05 Duratec (2.3L) has a relatively low 64k on it so I can't speak about true longevity on this engine. I was asking the very same question as you when I bought the car. It looks to be a well-designed engine (my only gripe is that it does not have a variable-cam timing system, come ON!) and it SHOULD easily outlast your expectations.

Sounds like the alternators may be a liability over time, the same was true of the SPI motor of the late gen Escort/ early model-year Focus. I think the tumble-flap issue is probably rarer...

 

I just keep an alt.. handy just in case...

 

OR, as I always suggest to people in Tech Chat, find a local rebuilder. You'd be surprised at how inexpensive it is, and I've never had a problem with one. You're supporting local small businesses as well- BTW, your local shop has alternators rebuilt there, then charges you new part price [thumb] If new ones bought from the dealer are going bad, make those jerks give you another one, if not free labor for changing it out. Believe me, they would have to call SWAT to get me to pay them a penny if their new part went out in short order.

I have 110k right now, and am currently putting on about 800 miles per week. I've not had a single problem not due to maintenance. In fact, I'm getting horribly lazy when it comes to auto repair now. I'm lucky the wife got her 02 Windstar so I had to fix some bad mechanic damage under the hood. I even checked the serpentine belt recently, and it looks ok. I would expect that to die out at lower mileage on cars that don't get driven as often because rubber stuff like that dies from age as well as use.

I doubt my engine will last 200k, not that it couldn't, it's just I won't let it get that far. I'm saving up for a larger engine. The wagon needs more power now that it has better brakes (SVT kit).

 

Posted via FF Mobile
03 2.3 at 134k. Vacuum leak

 

I have over 150,000 km on my mt 05 zx5 and I drive the piss out of it. I bought it with 60,000km on it and needing a clutch in the worst way. Since then I've had the transmission rebuilt once (covered by warranty) and never replaced anything other than original brakes at 145,000km. I'm fairly certain my car is invincible.

 

D is just like any other motor..as long as it's taken care of it should last

 

2.3L 04 ... alt issue. Thats all, doesnt even burn oil like my honda did..

 

my body has 2001 range has the 2.3 and it has almost 16x,xxx on it and runs grate and my dads 2006 ranger has 75,xxx and you don't notice much of any power loss between the 2
and i know its not a Durante but my 1992 had almost 300.xxx on it and never had any smoking or any thing but i bought the truck used so u never k now if some one changed the motor but o well

as long as you stay close to stock and no large mods the motor will go for years as long as they and well maintained