Very good reliable, w/ some grunt. Whats ya' looking at? ST perhaps? 23s from '03-'07 in the Foci, don't forget in the Mazda 3's too. No problem w/ parts= CFM central florida motorsports & Fwerk's has lot of parts for any of these cars. Don't forget the B&S section too.

 

I Am looking at an 04 Zx3

IS it as reliable as lets say the zetec engine? I knew the zetec engines were as reliable as the imports lasting upwards of 200k plus.

 

Well for one, the Zetec blocks are iron, the Duratec blocks are Aluminum.

I own both, the 03 zx3 Duratec 2.3L PZEV manual, and 2.0L Zetec DOHC Auto in my 00 wagon.

The 2.3l is much funner. And in my mind, more reliable.

Not to say the Zetec isn't reliable either, but I do feel more things go wrong on it.

 

How many miles are on both?

 

120K on the D23, and 164K on the Zetec.

My GF got lucky, and found the <yellow D23 in Nantucket, at a used car dealer.

 

120K on the D23, and 164K on the Zetec.

I wonder if the other is more fun due to it being a manual?

Both ways though, good engines?

 

O yea, the Zetec would be more fun with a manual, but the power difference between Zetec and Duratec is somewhere around 20-30HP at stock levels.

And the D23 responds better to performance parts. If you can, find a D23 for sure, but if you just can't, then go for the next best thing, Duratec 2.0L or the Zetec manual.

Don't get me wrong, It's not like I'm getting rid of my Zetec auto, but I am going to get a manual trans, and then build the motor up, regardless of how good the Duratecs are.

One day I'll swap a Duratec in it, but for now, I'll keep the Zetec in the wagon.

 

D23= more HP and timing chain, D20= less HP and timing belt.

 

NO, all Duratec engines in our cars use timing chains. Zetec and SPI engines have timing belts. From what I understand, the new (to the US) 1.6L Duratec in the Fiesta is a timing belt engine.

 

A timing chain on a zetec would make me loads happier! I have never driven one but I only hear good things about d23s

 

IMHO, the D2.3 is the best engine the focus can have. It makes great power, its reliable, easy to work on, etc..

If i had the opportunity to replace my SVT (zetec) with a 2.3, i would in a heartbeat.

 

I wouldn't say there the easiest to work on. Some things like the thermostat is a pain in the ash.

 

the d2.3 has awesome torque! buy it! My sister had a 2.3 with an auto and it was extremely reliable. It never had a single problem engine wise. Only had to general maintence and replace the ignition lock cylinder.

 

we bought our 04 2.3l new. has 90k on her now....have yet to have a single engine related issue.

 

moved to Duratec Chat

 

...They only made them for a few years and parts can be sparse.

Don't forget they used them in the Rangers too. From what I can tell so far everything but the blocks interchange. And Ford sold a lot of Rangers.

I can tell you this, they will trash a head just as quick as the SPI if oil changes are neglected. (This true of any OHC engine) That's how I came about my '04 cheap. They are also hard to find used at a decent price...

 

My ST D23 engine blew at 11K miles--catastrophic valve failure. It was replaced no cost under warranty--and the replacement so far has run very well (50K on new engine so far). I did have to replace my serpentine belt and tensioner pulley rather early--~30K--and I'm not sure if that had anything to do with the quality of engine replacement..

Neway--regds the blown engine--I have no idea how it was maintained--car was bought used by me at 7K miles (and had been bought by dealer at auction after being repoed).

I've seen a few other mentions of engine failure/valve failure too on these forums--again--this likely represents a small minority and a bit of selection bias(problems get spoken about)--likely similar small nos of zetecs/D20's etc also with issues.

Overall though I'd tend to agree that it seems a rather reliable engine.

 

Only holds 4.5qtrs unless you pull the balance shafts out then it'll hold 6qtrs


I'd say most of the blown motored d-techs are related to low oil levels.

 

my d20 has over 180k miles and ive beaten the crap out of it for like 6 years.

 

Hey, everyone that does have the D23 engine, or D20 with D23 head/accessories parts.

Come join the D23 crew.

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=292555


D23 owners FTW[headbang].

 

Calling all D23's come join up.



[welcome]Yeah come join up^^^^^^ We even have our own section too,[welcome]

 

the D20 isnt far from a D23, if you put the D23 head and intake manifold with the variable length runners you would see an improvement on the D20, and the D20 does has a timing chain, i have a D20 with 110,000 it has never used any oil and has never leaked any oil, never had any timing issues, dont get me wrong id kill for a D23 they are very hard to find and if you can get a D23 its worth the wait

 

D23 = Wheelspin

 

I bought a new 2.3L to replace my 2.0L and you need to do a few things to make sure you do not kill it, including the Valve Cover Vent, Get a Filter of Oil Catch Can.. 1" Spacers to raise the engine on passenger mount and a few other small things... but worth it when done,

You can use the 2.0L Computer but you will need a tune since it uses 15% more fule then 2.0L

with the 2.0L intake I know I am starving the motor but when I get the Cossy knock off intake and wide band o2, Balance Delete and Sump Baffle I am sure I will have a motor worthy of the upgrades.

I have much more lower end then before. but top end suffers I believe due to the 2.0L intake.

 

One of my biggest regrets is not doing the 2.3 swap when my 2.0 Duratec dropped a valve. Apparently the previous owner didn't know that oil changes were required, not just suggested. My idiot mechanic I was using at the time said it wasn't possible.

 

i had a d20 back in my 07 sedan days. it threw a rod at 24k. replacement engine ran fine for 60k til i finally decided the sedan just wasnt for me, sold it and picked up my zetec. i abuse my z20 on a daily basis and it just seems to want more. never had had a single issue with it

overall, i prefer my zetec. prolly cuz its the hatch ive always wanted and its an MTX (d20 was an auto)

 

i am not a fan of the sedan focus, but I LOVE my zx3, but I love the 2.3L in it... I have a 2.0L aswell, and both run great.. BUT I can spin the wheels just as easy with one and the other since the 2.0l is a manual, My automatic had a hard time spinning wheels until the 2.3L

 

I don't think that the zetec was as reliable as you think they were, if you noticed they dipped into the zetec program and then discontinued it... I have the zx4 st 2.3 with k&n Intske and magnaflow catback... The car is sick I love it reliable too... If that helps

 

I 2nd that to. After all it is a mzr motor & w/o it Mazda wouldn't have zoom zoom.[thumb]

 

Gotta love the D23e - Hatchback all the way. And with a Manual for sure....wait a second, I'm describing MY car.

Get yourself a D23 and you'll be happy with pretty much everything in terms of drive-ability and responsiveness to modifications. If you're looking for 33+ mpg, looks elsewhere.

 

I can get over 35mpg blowing down the freeway, w/ my st. Of cousre I have moddit out the motor.