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Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part XI
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Comments
problems again? remember the infamous firestone 500
in the past? i also like stock wheels as well.any
trade-offs between stock tire and the pirellis?
i tend to like whats on now,but i believe it has
more to do with the z suspension then the goodyears.as with anything else,i am trying to adapt and make sense out of all the terms and ratings on the tires.i know it is supposed to be simpler.but hey man,im stick in the sixties,and im
not talking tires.
When you first bought your car were the brakes fine for awhile?
Did the brakes squeal after about 5-10 minutes of driving?
Did you have a problem with your brakes after an oil change/fluid top up?
The reason i ask these questions is that IF your brake fluid had some other type of fluid put in or was contaminated what happens is that the inside of your brake line will swell up(heat) causing the calipers (brakes) to close. This would cause squealing and if driven over a long distance or time frame (and this may happen in as little as ten to twenty minutes) the friction caused by the brake pads being in effect 'braked' onto the rotors would warp them.
I think you mentioned you were a woman so here's what i would do (or else bring this scenario up with your Mechanic) get a turkey baster bulb thingy...and slowly draw off the fluid from your brake reservoir and squeeze it out into a small cup.
If i am correct the fluid will look like oil/vinegar mixture with your brake fluid at the bottom and little pools of a 'different' liquid floating at the top.
IF this is the case then new brake lines/Master Cylinder(NOT REBUILT or you will be in trouble soon) New brake pads and rotors $$$$$$ Warranty?
I have not read all of your posts so maybe i missed something.
Anyone else have an opinion on my thoughts?
And while i'm here (Carlady did not say that we moved at the end of the last part X...)
Figured out why the dealer did not find a problem with my A/C! I had it on high all the way there and when i brought it in to be tested, being the first customer that morning...well that was silly on my part wasn't it? The A/C was cold by then!
Inched the seat recline position forward one notch and i reach the steering wheel now. Guess i had to slowly acclimatise myself to the li'l hatchback:)
Great Forum going here and i'm sorry if i sound negative about my ZX-3 but there is only so much Rah-Rah that i can take.
You know that DIESEL sound someone keeps meantioning? Yep it's there! It's the overhead valves doing what they do sounding like they should! Not loud but sounding well....kinda funky.
To the person with the engine that ran without oil due to a Mechanics error (Ouch) ask for the extended warranty for no cost to yourself and call it even. Fair?
Nuff said?
W
Said it in an earlier post but these rims are VERY GOOD.
Bridgestone/Firestone recalled 20,000,000 tires today that were installed on SUVs! Watch the stock drop even more today! A good Short? Not that i follow stocks but...
What tires are you putting on and why? Just give me a post # and i will try to find it.
Thanks.
Listening to everyone here, I think I really want to tint my windows. I've been looking at my car thinking how much better it would look that way. Where do you go to get something like that done?
Ordered a Yellow 2001 ZX3 last friday and am warned that this may take 8-10 weeks for delivery. I don't distrust the dealer, but www.ford.com shows a 1.5% rebate to the dealer for 2001 models ordered after Sept 1. How can I make sure the car was ordered friday and I'm not being put off till Sept 1?? Is 8-10 weeks a standard delivery time?
PS anyone have pics of the optional 16" wheels that come w/ the 2001?
Thanks,
Wilson
8-10 weeks is certainly what most of us found to be an accurate wait for our ZX3s. From what I've heard the assembly plant isn't even starting production of the 2001 models until mid-August.
Ah found the rebate thingy...
"3% of the Total MSRP + additional 1.25% rebate of Total Invoice to Blue Oval Dealers for 2001 models invoiced after September 1, 2000"
Don't forget though, the dealer is already getting 3% of the MSRP, that's right. MSRP.
Heck, that 1.25% only amounts to around $200...
Of course, if it makes you feel better, you could always offer to make up the 1.25% out of your pocket.... (thought so)
As for making sure the order is in the system, you could ask for a printout of your order. Or get the salesperson to show you your order on the computer.
So how much over/under invoice are you getting yours for?
As for cost, it was nearly "no-haggle" they had a deal; invoice - dealer holdback. Not bad, there we're a couple of near-bogus fees like "advertising" and "handling" (plus I'm paying $5 for gas!?) But these add up to less than $300, so total cost still something below invoice. I can live with that....
-Wilson
Whyford, thanks for the advice (although I am not sure what "I think you said you were a woman, so what I would do is get a turkey baster......" means... Assuming I OWN one which I don't, but it's besides the point I need my problem fixed!)
So, this is what the short version is. Brakes has SQUEALED since day one, they finally said they'd replace the pads to see if it would helped. They changed the oil and replaced the pads the weekend before last. Then this past weekend I went on a road trip and that's when the shaking started (about 4 days later). I brought it in Mon, and they didn't get to it, then resurfaced the pads yesterday. There is no shaking but now you guys have me all freaked out. contamination? ask for new ones? they already think of me as the crazy lady and run when they see my silver Z.
SB, is this true that this contamination could happen?
And if I were to check it with the baster, do I just fill it on my own again, I mean - just take a portion of it, or try to get as much out as I can then top it off?
Oy.
yes that valve noise IS normal.
What I mention is a transaxle noise, TRANSAXLE.
In fact my yesterday visit to the dealership havn't cleared anything.
Yes, they can hear the TRANNY diesel noise.
Ford is aware of the problem-tnanks to you who complain. And Ford still maintain its position that it's normal. Normal my a%#!!!
I don't want to sound like a broken record.
It's just another thing to look for for those of you who still waiting for delivery of your brand new Focus. I'm not aware of any other car including the lowly Hyndai's and Kia's experiencing this kind of a trouble.
This is the only issue I have with my car.
I finally got used to the slight hesitation on light throttle at 2000 RPM.
slipping. Anybody else having the same problem?
Jamers: there was terrible shaking this past when I braked and that's how I knew...but that slippin you're talking about happens too....always had.
I just called the service department and my "adivsor" wasn't there but the lady said if they can fix the problem with resurfacing that is what they do (unless they are defective). Wouldn't you say rotors that warp in a month and a half are defective? Even if I do brake hard everyonceinawhile that can't be right....errr...right?
I guess that's the only way they'll give me new ones. Prove they are "defective" ...I guess next month when it happens again?
I really hate this.
I'd be able to do this "straightforward" work myself. If I would I could, trust me. And if I lived anywhere near TX I'd be over in a heart beat. But the truth of the matter is it's not that straightforward of work for some. Trust me, I have no problems with cars that have errr...problems....I've owned many of them. But I've never owned a new car. I know it's a new model and all ... bugs and all ...but this seems just odd.
My point is I've been braking the Z more carefully than any other car I've owned before and never have I had any problems with brakes other than general wear.
For the record I do understand things happen especially with the Focus being a new car (at least my clutch spring and alternator aren't kaputz! )
I just shouldn't bring all my frustration to the board.
Sorry all!
Happy driving!
Am I the only one who thinks most of this "total quality assurance... our customers come first..." bluster we get force fed through the media is just so much BS?
So, I'll let you know how the custom seat-cover job turns out on my z.
I've selected a 2-color combination. Black, with pumpkin-color seats and seatback. The shop had on display, a Recaro seat with that color-combo.
Man was that smashing! Knock yer eyes out!!
You'd have to see it to believe, how it was both refined and tasteful, as well as an absolutely brilliant color-combo.
By brilliant, I mean that orange pumpkin color is Bright! And yet, it blends subtly with the black areas that surround it on all sides.
Boy, Recaro really knows how to pick "jaw-dropping" colors that are NOT loud or cheap looking. Let those durn coffee spills (I'm a slob) do their worst! I'll be able keep those vinyl seats clean, quite easily. "Nuff said.....
zx3
Please, please, please, brake normally, not carefully. If you brake carefully, you may not stop quick enough! Don't know what you call carefully, but if your on the brakes longer at lighter pressure, they will get just as hot, maybe hotter. Drive the way you would normally drive and brake the way you would normally brake.
If somethings gonna break, you want it to happen while it's under warranty.
Pat
Pat,
I guess when *I* say carefully it's what is NORMAL for most people. I have been pretty rough on the brakes in the past, but not with the new car. So, you see my "carefully" is what most people do "normally".
Make sense ? hehehe sorry guys! I promise no more posts today!
That's something new to me.
Sorry for the interruption.
I tried this on A Honda and a Dodge and they brake lights turn on. This morning I took my ZX3 to get the brake switch replaced (they broke it when they change the clutch master cyn.) and tried 2 more focus's to see what happen and the brake lights did not turn on either.
zgrrrl, I think SB's right. Raise some fuss. They'll take care of you.
Ford says the first scheduled oil change for the z is "3000-5000 miles" (Ford Motor Co "Scheduled Services" brochure, available at Ford dealer).
I switched at 1300 miles. Obviously, way too early. I will rectify this immediately.
Thanks Vadp, for the heads-up.
zx3
I'm planning to switch to synth. around 8-10K.
Frankly I don't see any reason for the early change.
At 3800 I'm still running on original 'break in' oil. At 5K RPM my engine still feels very tight.
The whole purpose of switching to synth. oil as I see it is to keep the engine sludge free and well protected during extreme heat/cold conditions.
The initial break-in miles will not create any sygnificant amount of deposits. And I don't believe that the engine will create enough of 'metal shavings' to clog up the filter.
Actually it tends to filter better the dirtier it gets. The oil flow suffers though.
thanks for the help...
So you are saying that your car doesn't have any bog/hesitation, your transaxle doesn't make any funny/diesel/clicking noises, your fuel gauge always worked perfectly, there are no rattles in the dashboard and your breaks don't give you a heart attack??
Man, lucky you.
I wonder if we can find someone else with the same perfect 100% defect free Focus.
Please let us know.
My gas gauge did that thing exactly once.
I have tried over and over to detect the hesitation you all speak of...to no avail. Now, I admit a lack of power at 1800-2000 RPM, but I attribute that to the fact that MY ENGINE IS AT 1800-2000 RPM--where there's no torque. No hesitation as far as I can tell. And I'm very sensitive to these things.
Brakes are perfect. No rusty drums, and I get a mild squeal only first thing in the morning after it's rained. Stops after about a mile.
That's it...really. My only issue is that I'm averaging about 24 MPG for 70/30 city/hwy driving. But that might have more to do with the weight of my foot =]
tempo.it was common knowledge within the factory
and ford dealerships that they had installed rotors
that warped pre-maturely.i had them replaced under
warranty- free of charge.the car had approx.18,000
miles on it.problem was prevalent with the escort
and tempo.the best part is that i didnt even have
to be my usual persistent pain in the a..they were
replaced without a fuss.i wouldnt let them get a way with the re-surface band-aid.by the way, do you
use a self-basting turkey?
Look no further, here I am.
2K miles, flawless so far. The svce dept has never seen me in with a problem.
A flawless z. (Knock on wood).
Thanks again for synth info.
zx3
or is there a link? dont sweat that oil change.
it will be just fine.enjoy!
wheel.i never get tired of driving it.its the only
car i ever owned where the newness hasnt worn off
after a month.i look forward to driving it everyday.its something thats not easy to explain
but seems to be common among all z owners. chevy
did a real nice job with the monte.i see many on the road here in bucks co.the deer are plentiful
here.those that run and those that didnt run fast enough.nice weekend coming up,weather-wise.enjoy!
P.S. Rotor removal is really easy on most fwd cars and many local parts stores can resurface rotors for less than the cost of 30 minutes labor at your quality Ford/GM/Daimler Dealer.
no rotor problems.the rest of the family drives auto- they go through a set of rotors earlier than
they should.brakes wear much faster than they should as well.that is good point you made regarding todays lower mass rotors.thank you!
I've got the power locks as I assume you do also? When getting out, I usually just lock the door and shut it. This is supposed to arm it as well...
I'll look in the owner's manual...
Gabe
Gabe
Thanks again,
Joe
zx3beast - yup, it's supposed to be a nice weekend. It'll be nice when this H/H/H stuff comes to an end! I think I'll fill 'er up and go for a spin with NO a/c. I have relatives in Bucks ya know. Got some in Trevose, and some in/around Langhorne. It's nice out there. Was up that way for a b-day party last month.
Y'all have been talking about the placement of the brake lights...how people don't tend to see them. Well, I agree about the SUV's brake lights being as high, so that's not my biggest concern.
My Z is silver and I know it's sometimes hard to see so I keep my lights on. But I cannot COUNT how many times I've had to honk and blare my horn to get some jerk (mainly in the SUV's) OUT of my lane. They are trying to do a lane change and I don't know if they don't see me, or they didn't even check. But it's happening A LOT. More so than in any other car I've driven.
Just a shared thought.
"The best small sedan we tested"
Hooray for us!
I'm away for a week,
CU, try not to talk too much while I'm gone.:>)
-Beanboy
yeah it's not attractive, but it sure as hell has one up on the focus when it comes to power and drivability IMHO. AND Toyota reliability. oh, yeah and price, the Echo is a little cheaper even with all the options. I'm torn between getting the Echo or 2001 Focus-the Focus just looks so good though!!
Any opinions?
I liked the echo at first but they don't make a hatchback here yet. Big trunk but I insist on the hatch! Also echo was actually pretty expensive and it is hard to find one without auto and all the options that drive up the price.