2003 SVT Focus: The read headed step-child does it again.

[JCE]

I mentioned "upper pan" because some cars (like my 2000 Sentra) have the main oil pan gasket, then they have what is known as an upper pan, which is more or less an extension on the bottom of the block.

Edit: Ok, assuming Google image search got me the correct photo, here's what I'm talking about. See the aluminum extension on the bottom between the oil pan and the block itself? That's what is knows as the "upper pan". (at least to Nissan) So yeah, looking at the picture unfortunately it looks like the motor would have to come out.

Thanks for the pic, that actually helps me see what the engine looks like out of the car. It is just unfortunate that I have to learn this at the expense of my wallet...👎

 

[Sly Guy]

Well I kinda guess this makes me glad I got rid of my SVT, granted for something else with problems of it's own. I just didn't want to think of doing the clutch and brakes on the SVT.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Clutch and brakes should be pretty easy.

 

[Sly Guy]

Well it's not really difficulty wise, more like price wise. The rotors were pretty expensive.

I moved so I no longer had access to my friend's garage. That and I wanted to do the clutch myself and not have a shop do it. Lots of things can go wrong when you do the clutch. Like putting the disc on backwards, or not bolting the slave properly and having trans fluid soak the clutch disc.

I did the timing belt and that's a PITA. Had to redo over 10 times before it was properly timed.

 

[JCE]

Well I kinda guess this makes me glad I got rid of my SVT, granted for something else with problems of it's own. I just didn't want to think of doing the clutch and brakes on the SVT.

Thankfully the discount I get makes the clutch and brakes not so difficult to swallow.

Well it's not really difficulty wise, more like price wise. The rotors were pretty expensive.

I did the timing belt and that's a PITA. Had to redo over 10 times before it was properly timed.

Yup, I'll definitely want to dump the car before the timing has to be done.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Yup, I'll definitely want to dump the car before the timing has to be done.

Or you could, you know, do it now while the motor's out. They'll charge you exactly eff all in labor at that point.

 

[homeforsummer]

Discussed it with the wife and we both agree 100% on dumping this POS and getting in something new or certified with a FAT warranty. I've had enough of this SVT (and or European) car owner lifestyle. I would suck as a European car owner for sure if this is the kind of crap I would have to put up with.

Think you've got a Friday afternoon special unfortunately. I've never heard anything particular about our ST170s so can only assume yours was assembled by someone who got fired ten minutes before.

Those Zetecs are (in theory) pretty reliable - they're used in hundreds of different kit cars over here and they've been running that essential design in Formula Ford for god knows how many years down. The modern Duratecs aren't dissimilar and it's only a short hop from that to the MZR in Mazdas and those don't have a habit of going wrong either.

You appear to have a lemon...

The European Ford (Fiesta) I owned for 6.5 years after passing my test never needed anything other than regular maintenance, and didn't need a drop of oil. Only occasionally left a few drops of coolant in places, mostly Famine's driveway

Edit: Ok, assuming Google image search got me the correct photo, here's what I'm talking about. See the aluminum extension on the bottom between the oil pan and the block itself? That's what is knows as the "upper pan". (at least to Nissan) So yeah, looking at the picture unfortunately it looks like the motor would have to come out.

Err... isn't that just the bottom of the crankcase? Have a look at where the crank pulley is. It's not so much part of the sump as it is part of the block.

 

[JCE]

Or you could, you know, do it now while the motor's out. They'll charge you exactly eff all in labor at that point.

Can I borrow some $$$? I'm unemployed and cannot even afford this repair. 👎

Think you've got a Friday afternoon special unfortunately. I've never heard anything particular about our ST170s so can only assume yours was assembled by someone who got fired ten minutes before.

Those Zetecs are (in theory) pretty reliable - they're used in hundreds of different kit cars over here and they've been running that essential design in Formula Ford for god knows how many years down. The modern Duratecs aren't dissimilar and it's only a short hop from that to the MZR in Mazdas and those don't have a habit of going wrong either.

You appear to have a lemon...

The European Ford (Fiesta) I owned for 6.5 years after passing my test never needed anything other than regular maintenance, and didn't need a drop of oil. Only occasionally left a few drops of coolant in places, mostly Famine's driveway

Apparently over here the SVT Focus models are notoriously unreliable. Ours are made in Hermosillo Mexico if that tells you anything.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Err... isn't that just the bottom of the crankcase? Have a look at where the crank pulley is. It's not so much part of the sump as it is part of the block.

Nissan's term for that piece is the "upper pan", so that is what I was calling it. What Ford calls it, I have no idea.