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[BazaJT]

Ford have issued a recall on Focus ST and RS models-presumably engine number span to determine the affected cars-which involves holding the cooling system under pressure for 5hrs then depending on pressure loss over this time it's determined whether the engine "just" requires a new head gasket or a complete new head.Should this state of affairs really exist[from any manufacturer]in this day and age?

[Lizzie Zoom]

That all certainly has echoes from an earlier age!

[ronnyd]

Does this stem from the rush to build leaner more "tree hugger" engines?

[tigers_gonads]

I know the 3 cylinder engines have a nasty habit if falling apart before the 100K mark 

[Doctor Gollum]

I know the 3 cylinder engines have a nasty habit if falling apart before the 100K mark 

Much like the 1.6 diesels then

[henryd]

I know the 3 cylinder engines have a nasty habit if falling apart before the 100K mark 

Much like the 1.6 diesels then

If maintained properly they will do starship miles,long service intervals does them no favours

[Viral_Jim]

Does this stem from the rush to build leaner more "tree hugger" engines?

I don’t think so, I think it’s cost.

Iirc the problem is the same as the one that existed on the 5 cylinder ST of the previous generation. Namely that the engines are open deck (cheaper to build) but the cylinder liners lack stability compared to a closed/semi-closed deck design.

Unfortunately as ford have found out, running these engines in higher states of tune means the lack of support at the mating face between the liners and the head can give you movement. This is probably what’s giving the coolant loss. Cracked liners on the 5 cylinder are not rare either!

Sadly, I doubt either of ford’s sticking plasters will address the underlying issue.

[iansoutham]

The head gasket issue in the RS is the incorrect head gasket fitted from the US Mustang Ecoboost that everyone thought was the same. It isn’t. Waterways are different and are blocked off with the wrong gasket.

At best, new gasket, next is head if cracked (lots are) and worst is a new engine.

[BazaJT]

I did catch something about Mustang gaskets but wasn't sure if that was the cause or the cure.

[ronnyd]

Does this stem from the rush to build leaner more "tree hugger" engines?

I don’t think so, I think it’s cost.

Iirc the problem is the same as the one that existed on the 5 cylinder ST of the previous generation. Namely that the engines are open deck (cheaper to build) but the cylinder liners lack stability compared to a closed/semi-closed deck design.

Unfortunately as ford have found out, running these engines in higher states of tune means the lack of support at the mating face between the liners and the head can give you movement. This is probably what’s giving the coolant loss. Cracked liners on the 5 cylinder are not rare either!

Sadly, I doubt either of ford’s sticking plasters will address the underlying issue.

So couple that with their PowerShift gearbox problems, Fords are a right old clusterfluk. 

[Viral_Jim]

The head gasket issue in the RS is the incorrect head gasket fitted from the US Mustang Ecoboost that everyone thought was the same. It isn’t.

Incorrect fit from the factory?! Now that is pi$$ poor.

[2boxerdogs]

Never really liked the idea of these type of engines , never thought they would be any good.

[TheBoy]

Never really liked the idea of these type of engines , never thought they would be any good.

They are actually very good, ignoring some design errors (or penny pinching) on the Ford units.

[Rods2]

How good I think is dependent on how tuned the engine is and whether naturally aspirated or not. The more power they produce the higher the momentary forces and potential flexing and movement of the liner are on what is a semi-floating design. The advantage where they are surrounded by coolant is potentially cooler running with no hot spots compared to when semi or closed designs are used.

[Kevin Wood]

At least they have put their hands up and admitted it. If it were BMW, VAG, etc. it'd be "that'll be £3k for a new engine, sir".

[Rods2]

Volvo were very good when I had an engine failure at 27k miles on a Volvo 960 estate due to a block casting fault. Where they had a 100k warranty the engine was free and they just charged me 25% of the labour cost, which worked out at about the same price as the 30k cambelt change.

[Terbs]

Can't understand in this day of supreme engineering, that we still get recalls on nearly new cars !!!!
I have just had a recall on my Mazda 6 for rear callipers change Booked in for next week.

[BazaJT]

Way back BL[or whatever they were called that day]in particular-but others also-were slated for releasing cars too early and leaving it to customers to do the development testing,mainly through their complaints of faults!While recalls have always gone on the numbers these days are quite frightening and can be anything from fuel hose clips[Mondeo]through software updates onwards.

[Viral_Jim]

Probably because the yanks will sue if someone forgets to put a sticker on the dash reminding them to breathe in and out! 

[Rods2]

Probably because the yanks will sue if someone forgets to put a sticker on the dash reminding them to breathe in and out! 

You forgot the disclaimer:

Warning: Failure to regularly breath in and out may affect your quality of life and lifespan. As a socially aware company we are fully committed to people breathing in and out regularly and accept no responsibility for those that fail to do so to the full extent that Federal Law allows for any life changing events for those that fail to do so.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Probably because the yanks will sue if someone forgets to put a sticker on the dash reminding them to breathe in and out! 

You forgot the disclaimer:

Warning: Failure to regularly breath in and out may affect your quality of life and lifespan. As a socially aware company we are fully committed to people breathing in and out regularly and accept no responsibility for those that fail to do so to the full extent that Federal Law allows for any life changing events for those that fail to do so.

Like the sticker I saw last year in the ladies beside a hand dryer;  Warning!  This device gets hot!!

[BazaJT]

I know when my son bought his Focus over in San Francisco he told me it had a sticker on the drivers door window that said some of the materials used on the interior may cause cancer,British ones get no such warning

[Viral_Jim]

I know when my son bought his Focus over in San Francisco he told me it had a sticker on the drivers door window that said some of the materials used on the interior may cause cancer,British ones get no such warning

Probably only turned carcinogenic when exposed to direct sunlight 

[BazaJT]

As a further addition to this I've just read on the my feed bit that pops up when I first fire up the laptop about other recalls[there's 39 listed]from modern to back into the '70s.One of these was for the Mazda 6 which had a recall due to the Yellow Sac Spider -I kid ye not-apparently this developed a love of petrol and built its webs inside the engine which could lead to blockages and fire!