Ford Fiesta ST Forum banner

My FiST Ownership Is Cursed (More Problems!)

3314 Views 18 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  AgentC
So in addition to the high oil consumption and crankshaft adjustment, I can add a leaking drive shaft seal. And while this was being diagnosed, the dealer did this:



Seriously looking at getting another car now :(
See less See more
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Sad to hear man. Hope things work out for you.
I really want to know what the crankshaft adjustment was because it sounds to me like the leaking drive shaft could be related to that?

i.e. If the they had to remove the drive shaft to access the crankshaft, could they have damaged the seal? Any mechanics here with a opinion?
I'm in the UK kvtecha, but yes rejecting the car has been mentioned to Ford customer services who are just referring me back to the dealers.

The original dealer that did the crankshaft adjustment told Ford there's nothing wrong with the car (after putting 3 litres of oil in by 2400 miles) and yet they did no other checks except look for leaks and tell me to drive it 200/500 miles.

On the last visit to the above dealer they were supposed to have given me paperwork/technicians report of work already carried out but didn't receive anything.

Then I arranged through Ford to go to another dealer to have it properly checked e.g. compression check/leak down test which they haven't done.They have basically done the same as the other dealer except they said they checked the PCV system.

I'm left to feel they know it is a dud/lemon and don't want to touch the car because it would confirm the problem(s)....
Ah, sorry to hear it. What a pain.

Are you left any recourse?
Feel your Pain
sorry :(
I'll be calling the managing director of the original supplying dealer tomorrow and if I get no joy from him, I'll have no choice but to get rid of the car and get something else.

And I should point out the latest dealer also put in 0.5L of oil at 3100 miles making a total of 3.5L so far. From reading virtually every Fiesta ST forum, my car is the only one I can find with these problems making me believe it is a one off dud.
I assume it is the correct/best 5W/20 fly2low, but I honestly haven't asked the dealer. The one good thing in all this is the dealers have put in all the oil for free.

I had noticed the UK models don't have 5W/20 on the oil cap like they do in NA.
Am I the only one confused by a "crankshaft adjustment"? What exactly did they "adjust"?
Am I the only one confused by a "crankshaft adjustment"? What exactly did they "adjust"?
I also wonder if they checked the muffler bearing.:eek:
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Am I the only one confused by a "crankshaft adjustment"? What exactly did they "adjust"?
Yes, others have asked the same and suggest what has really been done is something to do with timing? No such thing as a crankshaft adjustment. Just service reception speak thinking I wouldn't know better...

I also wonder if they checked the muffler bearing.:eek:
Muffler = Silencer? Could I check that myself? What should I look/listen for?
"Crankshaft adjustment" = end play adjustment?
This could be plausible, but I haven't examined the manual to see if it's done on the Fiesta engine.
"Crankshaft adjustment" = end play adjustment?
This could be plausible, but I haven't examined the manual to see if it's done on the Fiesta engine.
Am not an expert so please forgive me, but isn't that something that is set when the engine is built?

And I seriously doubt the dealer stripped the engine. I haven't even managed to get them to do a compression test......
I'd sure the "muffler bearing" comment was a joke...

Can you go to other dealers or are you somehow obligated to stick with the dealer you purchased the car from? I'd think a compression and leak down test would be the first things the dealer would do (after a visual inspection of course). To not do these 2 tests would appear to me that the dealer is NOT trying to determine the cause of your oil consumption. Read that warranty. Document EVERYTHING. Get copies of any work orders and the finding of the tech.

If you can't get this fixed, I'd contact legal counsel. Having notes/dates/documentation if everything will help your case. That is, assuming there's no weird UK law that prevents it.

Good luck, and keep everyone updated!
I have tried another dealer but they have basically done the same as the first. Visual check for leaks and then top up oil.

I really believe now Ford have not given either dealer permission to do more detailed tests, even though a compression/ leak down test isn't even that hard to do.

I think all concerned know it is a dud and don't want to touch the car (physically) with a barge pole. I was supposed to have received paperwork of work done but even that that didn't pan out. It wouldn't surprise me if paperwork has gone missing by now. No paperwork for warranty work here in the UK is the norm in my experience, though if requested there is no reason it shouldn't be supplied.

The manager of the supplying dealer gave me a number of the dealer groups complaints department who I rang and after explaining everything they are just throwing me back to said manager to see if he'll buy back the car or give a refund. I seriously doubt they will if they know the car is a lemon.

And that muffler joke went straight over my head! I'll check my sarcasm detector.....that's probably faulty too knowing my luck....
See less See more
Am not an expert so please forgive me, but isn't that something that is set when the engine is built?
And I seriously doubt the dealer stripped the engine. I haven't even managed to get them to do a compression test......
Yes, end play is normally only adjusted when the engine is assembled, either at the factory or at rebuild time. I looked at the shop manual, and although it specified the acceptable end-play range (.008 - .017 in), I didn't see how it was adjusted. Engines I've dealt with in the past have used varying sized shims, but I don't know about this engine.

Regardless, the play would have to be huge to cause an oil leak, and it would be visible externally.
I just think the service reception guy made it up! probably something completely unrelated or something he didn't want to reveal to me.

I'm just stumped that this car has gone through 3.5L+ of oil and with no/minimal symptoms.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top