2007 Ford Focus - drinks like a fish

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Kung_Faux

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So the other day I was asked by my crazy cat-lady neighbour, if I wouldn't mind taking a look at her car as the bonnet wasn't opening and she thought it was due for a service. (2007 LS Ford Focus 2.0ltr petrol about a 190,000km's).

No dramas, got the bonnet opened, pretty dirty engine bay but all looked ok...went to check the oil...nothing on the dipstick...hmmm ok..told her I would top up the oil just to get her by until I could do the oil change properly etc. I had 1ltr of Valvoline Synpower 5w30fe in the garage...put that in, but still nothing on the dipstick!

So i decided to mix up a frakenbrew of my garage left-overs..Silkolene Comp 4 10w 40, Delo 15w40 multigrade, Castrol Edge 10w30 and a bit of Mercury Semi-Synth 25w 40, 4-stroke oil....all up about 3ltrs and only after then did the level come up to just below 'full' (so I think there was only 500ml of oil in there if that!)

Anyways obviously I cant leave this concoction in there too long, she has an ok budget for the service, so I'm just after some ideas on what to put in there, when it has this oil usage issue. The sticker on the windscreen confirms it was 'serviced' 12 months ago...

just stick with 5w30 that ford advise and keep an eye on it for her..or just go a little bit thicker like good 10w40? and forget about it? (located in a temperate part of Oz so no extreme cold start issues)
 
Originally Posted By: JamesBond
While you're at it, replace the pcv valve.


I was going to say the same thing.
It is a PITA to do on the Duratec/Mazda MZR because the intake manifold must come off....poor design IMO.....
 
Those engines are VERY stout and low friction (and low hp). You can abuse it like a Volvo Red block and it'll still perform normally.

I wouldn't bother changing it out. Considering the warmer climate where you are, the engine's high mileage that's probably been abused it's entire life, changing it will offer little benefit.
 
Nice one! You slipped a normie a BITOG frankenbrew mickey!

"Don't you worry, I've got a concocti....bottle of oil in the garage that you can have just to get you by."
 
Hey Mate,

Right now at Repco you can get Penrite Vantage 15w-40 (6L bottle) + Penrite engine flush for $24.99
That Penrite Vantage is semi-synthetic, rated API SN/CF and Euro ACEA A3/B4.

It's Australia, anything can run a 15W40 here, and it should reduce here consumption lots. If it doesn't, then the 6L jug will allow lots of top-ups with the same oil.

I wouldn't be in a rush to drop that frankenbrew out, it's all good stuff, and a million times better than running a car on 1L or less oil. When it comes time for the change, use the Penrite engine flush, then put the Vantage in.

I'm not an engine flush sort of guy, but it does come for free with the Repco deal, and it sounds like this car could use some extra care.

Cat lady neighbor.....how's the smell ?
 
She's a crazy cat lady and these situations have a way of going sideways quickly. The engine is probably damaged due to a lack of oil. The more you get involved, the more she may blame you for her car failing. I would just tell her you think there is a problem and she should take it to a mechanic.
 
I dump a whole 4.4l jug in mine to get to the full mark, so if you added 4l the oil pressure light must've been going on in corners atleast.
Mine doesn't use much oil either so I wonder how so much oil disappeared so fast.
 
Just tell her to take it to a cheap oil change shop every 3 months like clock work, and to be on top of it.
 
5W30? Plan the oil change like it'll be another presumably tens-of-thousands-of-KMs OCI. SR5 suggests a nice 15w40 HDEO
thumbsup2.gif
Totally agree with the frankenblend too, the least of your concerns. Boosted up ad pack probably helping a little more.
 
Cat ladies can be a bit cray cray so just watch your six and if you feel like it'll end up being more trouble than you want to deal with nothing wrong with the ole "sorry ma'm, this calls for an expert" schtick.

But you're a good soul, cheers!
 
Originally Posted By: Kung_Faux
So i decided to mix up a frakenbrew of my garage left-overs..Silkolene Comp 4 10w 40, Delo 15w40 multigrade, Castrol Edge 10w30 and a bit of Mercury Semi-Synth 25w 40, 4-stroke oil....all up about 3ltrs and only after then did the level come up to just below 'full' (so I think there was only 500ml of oil in there if that!)


Originally Posted By: SR5
Hey Mate, I wouldn't be in a rush to drop that frankenbrew out, it's all good stuff, and a million times better than running a car on 1L or less oil. When it comes time for the change, use the Penrite engine flush, then put the Vantage in.


I agree with SR5 and would just call this the oil change(without the filter) for now and call it a day. Let your neighbor get it changed next time in a proper time frame. Or you can do it again in a few months.
 
Last edited:
Check oil frequently and adding as necessary. 3K-4K oil and filter changes. 10W-30 if not extremely cold climate.


If the car if worth the effort:

Does the oil smell like gas ? If so, time to replace the "lifetime" air filter and there might be a leaking fuel injector and / or a bad PCV valve . There are some cheap/easy air filter options on youtube. The PCV valve replacement requires removal intake manifold (labor intensive PITA and is a good idea to remove the IM swirle flaps and replace everything ounder the IM while it is off thermostats and hoses while you have access.

see -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXir4Lz9r0k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBxm5QjD0PY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amRXA22ofds


http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/gener...replacment.html - (several simial threads on this website)fail
 
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Originally Posted By: FermeLaPorte
The problem is that it is a Ford. Do her a favor and get her any other car.


Simply untrue. I've owned several Ford Focus and Escorts and all of them were mercilessly beat on a regular basis. I kept up with OCI's and filter changes and they never leaked or burnt a drop of oil during my ownership (3-4 years each of harsh Canadian winters and summers).

Sure, they may be unrefined compared to their Japanese competition, but this doesn't mean they are not capable of being reliable.
 
We have a vehicle similar vintage and miles. Consumption was at worst half a quart per 5K. Switched from a 20 grade to a thirty consumption is not measurable. Recommend do not proceed any further. Because when the tailights go out it's your fault because you changed the oil.
 
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