Everything wrong with my £250 Ford Focus mk1!

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

I saved this family-owned 2003 Ford Focus from going to scrap. Was this a good idea, or should this one have been left to die?!
We have rust issues, a knackered clutch, electrical niggles and many other problems. Let's explore!!
Collection video here: • Car Collection Caper f...

Пікірлер: 76

  • @usuallyfixingtinkering
    @usuallyfixingtinkering3 ай бұрын

    Lovely to see a fellow KZreadr save a MK1 Focus! This looks like a typical MK1 Focus, battered, worn, very well-used and rusty... but still going! I would number 1 look carefully at the rust areas, it doesn't look that bad compared to most I've seen which is a good start. I'll try and help by giving a quick thought on the problems, that suspension turret - it looks pretty nasty but once you've removed the shock out of the way a good grind back and treatment should slow down any future corrosion. The arches are just run of the mil welding patches. The cause is mostly the arch liners which do nothing but cause rust and reduce the wheel noise, best remove either completely or put back knowing getting them off will be a regular occurrence to prevent build up. A rough gear change can be down to the cables and gearbox oil being low or in need of a change! The tailgate release switch - remove it and split it into two, use rubbing alcohol on the rubber 'button' on the inside and re-assemble. It'll work then! The seat squabs are really bad for long-distance trips but another tip grab a passenger seat swab off a breaker, chances are it'll be far less worn and will have less wear on both bolsters! It's only 4 bolts and no heated seat means no other connections to swap over! The radio I'm afraid needs replacing, when the seek function packs up and just cycles it's a replacement job, I'm sure they can be repaired from someone who knows about car radios but just easier to grab a 2nd hand 6000CD unit. Push the handbrake gaiter right down, it does come up sometimes on mine. It may be a failed passenger window regulator and try moving the passenger mirror glass, the electric mirrors get stuck and need to be unseized from the same position after many years of standing in this case. Then it may work! The passenger carpet being peeled back... I would be thinking it's had some scuttle seal leaks on that side, probably the no.1 most common problem on a MK1, poor design and may have let in tonnes of water at some point hence why someone went investigating any damage to the floor! Low idle speed - try a basic service and as you mentioned clean the throttle body & the Idle air control valve directly sitting on the throttle body, they get gummed and cause all manner of erratic idle issues. The rear suspension looks pretty good, probably less rusty than the majority out there! The ECU in these cars is pretty basic and will only give a code when something is really bust like a sensor! Even then there are plenty of running issues these can have usually relating to the sensors that can cause no codes whatsoever, so don;t rely on a code. MK1 Focuses encourage old-fashioned diagnosis :) I hope this helps and what a lovely video Sion!

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Andrew, thank you so so much for this reply. I was hoping you would see this video! I’ve watched a lot of your Focus videos over the past few weeks to get me clued up on what the common issues are. I’m excited to get going with it: I’ve already repaired the boot release yesterday afternoon as a simple win! The passenger window switch is getting power and is sending it away again when you press up or down, so is it just the regulator you suggest I try replacing and not the motor?

  • @albertbekassy2709
    @albertbekassy27093 ай бұрын

    I'm glad you intend to save a car that is too modern to be a "classic " for most people, and to old to be modern. This was the case with my 73 Taunus in the 90's. Most of them were scrapped. But now it's a classic that draws attention. People honk and wave.

  • @AJ-tj7jm

    @AJ-tj7jm

    3 ай бұрын

    This is one of the few relatively modern car that will be a classic. There were thousands of them even upto 5 year ago, but now vanishing fast. Like the Escort the Mk1 was so iconic of an era a good one will become very sought after within the next few years.

  • @adamjow8405
    @adamjow84053 ай бұрын

    Found your channel from the Focus mk1 preservation club. I also watch Andrew from Usually Fixing and Tinkering which influenced me in getting my own mk1 focus a couplr of tears ago, a 2005 1.6 lx. Really love them. Great to see you've picked up a mk1 and treating it to some TLC as they deserve now as a modern classic. Looking forward to how this goes 😁👍

  • @Daz_Stap
    @Daz_Stap3 ай бұрын

    It has all the hallmarks of a great project series. I very much look forward to watching you turn this around.

  • @user-np2dc2oc9w
    @user-np2dc2oc9w3 ай бұрын

    I love these mk1 Ford focus it’s futuristic yet dated in a nice way 25 years later

  • @AsherPiesman
    @AsherPiesman3 ай бұрын

    I’d love to see a comparison vid between the Focus and its predecessor the Escort (if you still have that white one).

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Oh you bet I will be doing that!

  • @rudecomb2006
    @rudecomb20063 ай бұрын

    I had a 2002 mk1 model some had different lights in the bumper instead of headlights. Great cars they were. Heater resistor replaced and pollen filter in bonnet right pain to do

  • @danielrussell446
    @danielrussell4463 ай бұрын

    Hi Sion lovely to see a mk1 focus they have got so rare now haven't they That one is looking good in vision metallic and love the history as well and why it should be saved it seems to have most common focus issues and looks a lot of work but it perfectly saveable Although more a Vauxhall fan I appreciated how the focus shook up the hatchback market at the time and it's grown on me over the years having owned a mk2 and 3 and found them great cars all the best DANIEL

  • @charliecoco2115
    @charliecoco21153 ай бұрын

    Mini mountain to climb there!

  • @MonkeyHunch1
    @MonkeyHunch13 ай бұрын

    Low idle speed could be the coil pack. Cheap to buy. and easy to fit just to try. Mine started with low idle then an eventual misfire under load.

  • @Caseyfunnell
    @Caseyfunnell3 ай бұрын

    I’m looking forward to see the saving of this car I have one myself and it is a great car and with the money spend on it your have it up and running in no time

  • @davidlang3625
    @davidlang36253 ай бұрын

    Wow it looked really good at first until you pointed out all the faults! The 1.6 in Zetec trim and this colour was a good spec back in the day and still looks really nice. At £250 its worth that in scrap but it would be really good content to see if you can get it fixed up. Good luck with getting it sorted🤞

  • @benjilafouine
    @benjilafouineАй бұрын

    The antenna is shut, the holding screw is broken. The whole assembly has to be replaced, this means removing part of the interior roof.

  • @minibus9
    @minibus93 ай бұрын

    awesome video

  • @user-yv5qr7qu4p
    @user-yv5qr7qu4p3 ай бұрын

    It is rough tbf but I suppose that's what you get for 250 quid I personally wouldn't bother myself but saying that thet we're know for having one of the best handling chassis around at the time. And the money you spend on it you will never recup.

  • @HA05GER
    @HA05GER3 ай бұрын

    Id say the boot button will be the wiring to the boot. Likely a damaged wire in the rubber flexi boot between the car and the boot. Pull it back should be abke to see my smax had this issue. The button on the boot wouldn't work but the key did and was that part if the loom damaged. All the time boots opened and closed over time the wires break.

  • @jeffmee763
    @jeffmee7633 ай бұрын

    Try turning on the ignition then press the boot button.

  • @istvanbally2817
    @istvanbally28173 ай бұрын

    Just "finished" removing rust from my MK1. Lots of it. It was a royal pain in the gluteus maximus. Now it's repainted, and though the clear coat did run (can't be bothered), it looks ten times better than before. Still, I'm absolutely sure the just like in the Marvel movies, Captain Rust will return.

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Eek, I'm super excited to start dealing with that myself...not!

  • @istvanbally2817

    @istvanbally2817

    3 ай бұрын

    @@MorselsAndMotors Did everything by hand, by the way. Pro tip: don’t.

  • @bigjohno242
    @bigjohno2423 ай бұрын

    You’ll save it Sion !!

  • @shaka7594
    @shaka7594Ай бұрын

    You need to remove the carpet at the rear wheel arches (Boot), i can guarantee there will be rust holes similar to mine which i've treated since with a mesh plate and sealant, rust treated, primed & painted, unfortunately rust is a never ending pain on these focuses..

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    28 күн бұрын

    Yeah I’ve since done that…video coming soon!

  • @toy838
    @toy8383 ай бұрын

    I don't know where u stored them all focus shape so modern

  • @marcuskirby9299
    @marcuskirby92993 ай бұрын

    Not knocking you at all mate but I think that is a MK 1 facelift as I had a MK1 on a V plate I think? Indicators were in the bumper but yours are built into the headlights. Looking forward to see how this goes👍

  • @wacman
    @wacman3 ай бұрын

    I believe the poor idle was a common problem with a vac pipe splitting, cheap to fix.

  • @mikes747
    @mikes7473 ай бұрын

    Not too rotten for a mk1! I had one that was absolutely horrifying when i had a proper look! Unfortunately it was beyond saving!

  • @BelfastMurf
    @BelfastMurf3 ай бұрын

    You mentioned BDX, that’s from quite near where the car came from, as I’m sure you know! Where do you plan to get the rear number plate from? Is there somewhere that recreates defunct dealer plates?

  • @lucythemoggy1970
    @lucythemoggy19703 ай бұрын

    Sion the passenger window will be a duff switch on the drivers door, or a break in the wire within the rubber boot between body and door.

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    I did some testing this afternoon, and there is power to the switch on the passenger door, and then power from it to the motor when I press up or down. So it might be the motor or regulator

  • @hhgttg69
    @hhgttg693 ай бұрын

    mismatched tyres are a major no no for me. once fixed you'll notice a big improvement.

  • @JasonLong4875
    @JasonLong48753 ай бұрын

    I would keep it and do it up, its in too good a shape to scrap, I have been after one of them MK1 Focus's for years, I have a 2011 1.6 TDCi Focus which I have had for 18 months and have done over 20000 miles in it, taking it to 186600 miles. Its so cheap on parts and repairs, that I intend to keep it for as long as I can

  • @mrcogginsgarage7062
    @mrcogginsgarage70623 ай бұрын

    Sion, morning, all in all not so bad for what is one of the best driving cars of that age,however first thing you must do is take care of the bonnet release mechanism,get your BDX out and flood the locking unit and then work it well in ,these never in my experience get the correct amount of lube and get stiff and fail without warning,it's a dreadful piece of design by Ford as all the SMR comes up of the road and makes its way into the lock ! Once you've got it flooded and it's nice and free give it a coating of Vaseline or similar to prevent further ingress. And as more than likely you going to be in and out of the engine bay a lot over the coming months best do it sooner rather than later as they are a right bugger of a job to get into if they fail Good luck with it hope all goes well.R.

  • @Guguzzz
    @Guguzzz3 ай бұрын

    Well,in a couple of years you could do the same to a '05 (or is it a '07 and beyond,the mk2,i mean),probably already people started scrapping them

  • @DullBoringCars
    @DullBoringCars3 ай бұрын

    It's got some Belfast battlescars thatthing! 🤣🤣

  • @fhwolthuis
    @fhwolthuis3 ай бұрын

    First sort out the rust, and if that has proved feasible, then start replacing clutch and other parts 😅

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Yes that’s my plan, but doing everything that’s not the rust is a much more fun prospect 🤣

  • @brendanhurley8780
    @brendanhurley87803 ай бұрын

    Further Classic like the mk.1 escorts

  • @lanehogger1532
    @lanehogger15323 ай бұрын

    I had a mk1 focus 04 plate from 2005-09. Took it from 12-120k miles. No problems whatsoever.

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    I've heard that they are very reliable cars

  • @lanehogger1532

    @lanehogger1532

    3 ай бұрын

    @@MorselsAndMotors yes indeed. Only sold it because it was a 3dr and we were starting a family.

  • @daveyorkvh
    @daveyorkvh3 ай бұрын

    We have a mk2 focus and the rust issue is still the same 😢

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Oh really? I didn't realise they had the same issues

  • @darrenwilson8042
    @darrenwilson80423 ай бұрын

    So my comment ref gravel and rust flakes de-bunked in moments. I suppose gravel doesn't hide rust that falls off but makes it harder to sweep up?

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Much harder to sweet up 🤣

  • @benjilafouine
    @benjilafouineАй бұрын

    You didn’t remove the carper in the back to have a good look. This will not be a pretty sight.

  • @ST-ur7oh
    @ST-ur7oh3 ай бұрын

    This car was purchased in Carryduff at a long standing but now closed Ford dealer #northernireland

  • @davidyoung9561
    @davidyoung95613 ай бұрын

    Don't scrap it.The mk1 Focus is going up in value.

  • @michaeldebrou8767
    @michaeldebrou87673 ай бұрын

    It'd be good content to watch you iron out it's many faults if you can stomach that!

  • @stuartduncan1664
    @stuartduncan16643 ай бұрын

    Did you sell your fiesta mk1?

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Yes

  • @enchantress7940
    @enchantress79403 ай бұрын

    Northern Island plates as well

  • @shawardara

    @shawardara

    3 ай бұрын

    Jim is from NI

  • @enchantress7940

    @enchantress7940

    3 ай бұрын

    @@shawardara Belfast plates to be precise

  • @chrispop99
    @chrispop9926 күн бұрын

    If the aerial connection is poor, the radio seek function is never going to work.

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    25 күн бұрын

    Yep, I think you were right!

  • @fhwolthuis
    @fhwolthuis3 ай бұрын

    Shouldn't the engine run to read the codes,

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Oh perhaps. I’ve done it on some cars and position 2 is enough. But I will try again with the engine running just to be sure. Thank you

  • @benjilafouine
    @benjilafouineАй бұрын

    This is going to be money pit, unless you’re a welder. Honestly, I see thousands of Pounds (or USD dollars) to fix, like 6,000 or more. I there are electric problems as well, it is not salvageable. And the Zetec is only a 1.6, not a 2.0.

  • @Vandal-Vlogs
    @Vandal-Vlogs3 ай бұрын

    Scrap it!

  • @CreRay
    @CreRay3 ай бұрын

    I like the Mk1 Focus but this one seems is financially really a write off. For me it would be a waste to see money going onto this car that could be spent on the Cavalier. Not to mention the time....

  • @benjilafouine
    @benjilafouineАй бұрын

    To make a long story short: you’ve been had…

  • @christopherheritage5651
    @christopherheritage56513 ай бұрын

    Scrap it and get a much better mk1 or get another mk1 and use it as a donor.

  • @rossgarykelly84
    @rossgarykelly843 ай бұрын

    A lot of car for the money

  • @rogerparsons
    @rogerparsons3 ай бұрын

    Fix it for that money

  • @benc8386
    @benc83863 ай бұрын

    A bit of a dog! But nothing that can't be fixed.

  • @roberttucker805
    @roberttucker8053 ай бұрын

    With that amount of rust plus a worn out clutch I would run it over the weighbridge. You'll be forever chasing faults and it will end up being a money pit. But if you think it's salvageable then good luck.

  • @enchantress7940
    @enchantress79403 ай бұрын

    Bin the carpet liners and pull the foam blocks out of the front wings as they are sponges

  • @MorselsAndMotors

    @MorselsAndMotors

    3 ай бұрын

    Oh yes, I need to get the front wings off and do that

  • @enchantress7940

    @enchantress7940

    3 ай бұрын

    @@MorselsAndMotors just remove the plastic liner. You can reach in and take it out. I know one wing is shagged, but the other will just pull off from inside.

  • @enchantress7940
    @enchantress79403 ай бұрын

    Miss mine.

  • @enchantress7940
    @enchantress79403 ай бұрын

    It’s worth the money, but you will have to put money in to make good

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