Focus 1.6 - petrol or diesel?

Hi,

I am thinking of buying an 09 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel, but I have no knowledge in terms of engine services or what type is better between 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel.

Thanks

Gino Natural (Portlaoise )

Feb 2020 Filed under: reliability

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Expert answer

Hi Gino,

That Ford 1.6 TDCi diesel engine is one of the most common engines around, as it has also been used by Mazda, Volvo, Peugeot, Citroen and MINI. It has one major vulnerable spot and that is that sooty, gummy deposits can build up in areas that are supposed to be kept cool and lubricated by oil. If the deposits build up enough, they can block the oil passage and cause component failure — most commonly of the turbocharger. The best way to prevent that happening is with regular servicing (at least once a year depending on mileage) and making sure that you always use a high-quality grade of synthetic oil for the engine.

The 1.6 petrol engine, the 100hp version, is a much simpler unit and it’s pretty reliable, mostly because it’s a much older design. It won’t be as economical nor as punchy in its performance as the diesel, but if it’s reliability you’re looking for, it might be the better option. 

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe