Hi people

I'm fairly convinced the bottom end bearings are gone on my ST although im no mechanic.

The reason being, the other day I was taking a corner (reasonably fast) but safely of course and the oil light flashed on but went off immediately, I hadn't checked the oil for about a month and to be honest, it was on the low side. I filled it up straight away and thought nothing of it.

After that I drove the car a few times but with music on so did't hear that the engine had developed a reasonably quiet knocking sound which increased in volume and speed with engine revs. It sounds like a quiet pneumatic drill.

Also, a couple of years ago, my very first car was a fiesta MK4 1.4 si, loved the car but it suffered the same fate after me not checking the oil often enough and the sound my ST is making is scarily similar to the noise my original fiesta made, just much quieter.

Any opnions on this would be much appreciated.

My real question is though, if im going to have an engine rebuild or a new engine, what are the sensible options to get more power as this seems like the right time.

Is the 2.3 duratec an option and apparently this is available perhaps with a turbo as standard from a Mazda 3 or something like that?

I don't really know what the options are but i'd definitely like to take this opportunity since I'll be spending heavily anyway to get a serious increase in power.

Thanks a lot to everyone for the opinions/help.

Matt

changing the bearing would need the whole lot taking apart...


i would change to k1 rods, Weisco pistons, Arp main and headstud bolts that will increase a little power but make the engine bullet proof with a stronger bottom end bearing

The other option is ditch the engine and get another one 2nd hand.

first before all of this get to the garage for a verdict/opinion this should be free of charge unless work will be done on the car.

Bare in mind bearings don't just go....

by the sounds of things you either have put the wrong oil in the car or the car hasn't had a regular oil change thus resulting in the damage.

Bearings only ever go if there is a lack of lubrication or too much pressure, well a combination of both actually.

Thanks for the reply guys.

Yeh, I realise what you mean about bearings and lack of oil but like I said, the oil was low, it wasn't low one month previously but i doubt it takes long to cause damage once the engine is running low on oil!

Im sure it's bearings from the noise but i am taking it to the garage tomorrow to have it confirmed either way.

Another quick question, does the focus ST170 engine drop straight in? They seem to be readily available for not too much. I think I'd rather go for dropping in a bigger more powerful engine in if possible as a base to work on for the future rather than spend an arm and a leg on upgrade parts for the standard engine.

Don't know why really, just a personal preference.

Thanks again.

dont put an ST170 engine in it your going backwards!

agreed!

you can pick up some 2nd hand ST engines for bargains mate i brought mine for £500 22,000 on the clock or so claimed to have.


Shame mines in peices at the moment though lol

I'll take your advice then.

So what about the Mk1 focus RS engine, anyone put one of those in?

worth a try but very rare sighting to see an RS breaking the engine if anything the engines dissapear quick!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FIESTA-MK...=item336e582967

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FIESTA-ST...=item19ca44d490

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-fiesta-st...=item4ab06c988a

Yeh, thought it might be a bit like that with the RS engines but theoretically, what's involved in making one fit? Thanks for the links mate.

RS's being broken come up more often than you would think

I second what Jack says.

The average engine when being driven sits at 2500 revs, per minute. If you divide that by says 5 seconds, that's 500 turns, A SECOND. When there's no oil and at that many revolutions, heat and friction kick in straight away.

This is why it is very important to check your engine oil once every two weeks. Things happen sooo fast with cars.

But to confirm, it does sound like big end bearings mate.

Mk1 Focus RS engine or a Forged Duratec imo!

there are 2 on ebay going for about £1000 if not a guy called dillan is breaking an rs on the rs forum

get a 6 litre v8 - simple plug and play from what i've heard

Adding a Focus RS engine would mean big monies... I thought about it with my Silver Focus but decided against it after it costing more than an actual Focus RS.

It sounds like you're caused damage through not checking your oil. Easily done but if you're going to have a super duper engine I would ensure you start investing more frequently in full services.

theres a forged supercharged engine on STOC for sale atm £3500

it comes with 320bhp, quaife diff, clutch, everything you need pretty much

thats pretty dam good for a starter pack

Thats a pretty good deal tbh

That does sound like a good deal.

It cant be that hard to get a MK1 RS engine as I did a bit of ringing around last night and found two available, lol.

Sadly, they are both out of my price range!

Yes whatever has happened has defintiely been caused by my slack oil checking, i'm well aware of that but I have taken it to the garage today and they have said they think it is the followers that may have been damaged by lack of oil rather than big end bearings which is good news!

So for the time being, i dont think i'll be needing a new engine.

Thanks for the opinions guys, im still after more power so I guess I'll look into my options with this engine.