Focus Musical Chairs involving kollecshun and fielding Bumtree enquiries

[sierraman]

As I've posted, waited upon receiving a new fuel pump for the Focus through the post. Had the hole cut for the access panel ready for when I get round to fitting it. For once being one of life's great procrastinators has paid a dividend for me here. It wouldn't start at all Sunday, not even turning over... Oddly enough could hear the pump going but wouldn't turn at all. Checked battery, turns out the starter solenoid is sticking. Pfft!

 

Faced with this list:

 

Juddering Clutch - quoted £250+VAT to change

 

Fuel pump - £65 from ECP

 

Starter motor - £20 (used) £60 (recon)

 

Knocking Steering rack - £120 exchange plus fitting say £80-90

 

I'm looking at the thick end of £600 there. Then what...

 

Decided to sack it off whilst it's got some test on it (August) through Bumtree so I gratefully await the onslaught of silly enquiries about whether I'd swap it for a Ten Gallon Hat or an XBox.

 

In the meantime I decided to make inroads on purchasing another slightly less fucked example, a search on Autotrader saw me viewing a 53 plate 1.6 a few miles from home.

 

Went and had a look, similar mileage on the clock but with full history - stamped up until 9k ago, recent clutch and timing belt. The bits of tin holding the seatbelts in still there not the usual stuff with the integrity of weetabix. Pick it up later this week! 13 months test a bonus as well!

[New POD]

Just Break the old one and store the parts you might need in the future in your loft.

[sierraman]

I'm giving it a week on Bumtree then if not I'll do that. I'd offer it on here it might do someone a turn but it's not a long term prospect that's for sure.

[castros_bro]

Hi,

 

I'm looking for a non-leaking cam cover with non-baulked bolts for Zetec Focus to drill some holes in (don't ask)  if you go down the dismantling route.

[sierraman]

I'm going to see if by the weekend if someone is thrusting some pound notes (hopefully not as they are no longer legal tender) in my hand to buy it as a going concern, if not then I'll start taking bits off it. I'll bear you in mind!

[mrbenn]

Shame about the old one, financially the right thing to do though.

 

Wouldn't mind seeing a pic or two of the new one when you get it.

[sierraman]

I'll take one when I pick it up. This is the old one...

[mrbenn]

Shame, looks in very good nick. A lot of these are looking decidedly ropey now.

[sierraman]

It isn't that good close up. Waiting until Sunday, if there's no interest I'll set about taking shit off it before it gets baled. At the end of the day it isn't without its redeeming features - the body is solid as fuck but it's just wanting several expensive jobs doing that I can't be arsed with doing. If you could do all this yourself it might be worth doing but I've not got the time or the inclination to start swapping clutches on the driveway.

[omegod]

Not after the whole car but I'm selling a mint one that's being picked up at the weekend and I can put the new owner onto you for the wheels, whereabouts  are ye ?

[3VOM]

You may get some parts enquiries from me if you are breaking it.

[sierraman]

Keeping the wheels I think, probably its best feature a brand new set of Barums.

 

Here's the new one on a cheerful note...

[steveo3002]

hope you checked it for dodgy idel with the a/c on....infact would be intrested what happens to the idle when you turn on the a/c

[sierraman]

It seems ok. At the minute. I'm grateful for one that starts with no fuss and doesn't conk out when I pop out to the off licence at the moment.

[mrbenn]

You could swap a few bits from the Zetec to the LX, such as the leather steering wheel, front fogs etc if you could be bothered. Insurance company would want to know, natch.

[sierraman]

It's the facelifted one so the fogs wouldn't fit. As for the steering wheel it sounds like a right fuck about swapping.

[steveo3002]

zetech seats have better bolsters than the lx if you care 

[egg]

It's the facelifted one so the fogs wouldn't fit. As for the steering wheel it sounds like a right fuck about swapping.

 

Airbag and clock spring shenanigans I guess!

[sierraman]

I've looked in the log book and it is actually an LX. Seems more comfortable than the Zetec, despite its 123k. First job on the list is obtaining 5 litres of Waxoyl for the backs of the sills. Make sure it doesn't rot the rear chassis legs out.

[Sealtainn]

Your LX has Ghia wheels on it too.

Steering wheel is easy enough to take off 2 x 5.5mm nuts on the back of the steering wheel will see the airbag undone. Pull forward slightly so you can get to the yellow plug connector for it & remove. Centre nut for the steering wheel is 17mm IIRC, undo and twat the wheel from behind and then pull it off (be careful not to hit yourself in the face doing this bit - ask me how I know). I swapped the Ghia steering wheel on my old one for a Focus RS one.