Ford Focus Front Coil Advisory

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Brian McCarthy - 01 Jan 2005 20:08 GMT

I also received an advisory from Ford on potential corrosion problems
with the front coil of my 2003 ZTW, indicating they would replace them
at no cost if they fail. I am aware from friends who had front coils
fail on Ford Taurus in the past that if travelling at high speed when
this occurs, it could pose a serious safety hazard to the car occupants
or other vehicles as you could lose control. As I live in an area
which is salted extensively in winter, I called Ford Canada asking them
to indicate why they weren't recalling the vehicles, or alternatively
to give me indication in writing that coil failure would not present a
safety hazard. They refused to do either. I find this disturbing.
Has anyone experienced a coil failure with their Focus, and if so,
would you assess it as a potential safety hazard? Thanks for any
replies.

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Michael Heiming - 02 Jan 2005 08:02 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus Brian McCarthy <jb.mccarthy@rogers.com>:

> I also received an advisory from Ford on potential corrosion problems
> with the front coil of my 2003 ZTW, indicating they would replace them
> at no cost if they fail. I am aware from friends who had front coils
> fail on Ford Taurus in the past that if travelling at high speed when
> this occurs, it could pose a serious safety hazard to the car occupants
> or other vehicles as you could lose control.

Might happen.

> As I live in an area which is salted extensively in winter, I
> called Ford Canada asking them to indicate why they weren't
> recalling the vehicles, or alternatively to give me indication
> in writing that coil failure would not present a safety hazard.
> They refused to do either. I find this disturbing. Has anyone
> experienced a coil failure with their Focus, and if so, would

No, replaced all coil/shock-absorber some times ago, got sick
from the original (Ghia), which were a impertinence while driving
with high speeds (110-130 mph) around corners, especially with bad
road conditions on highways.

A Sachs performance kit, made for the Focus, lowered it 35 mm and
gives you in combination with the new gas shock-absorber kind of
racing car road-holding.;) Sure you lose a little comfort, but the
security win out-weights that easily.

[..]

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Dave Gower - 02 Jan 2005 17:51 GMT

<...I called Ford Canada asking them

> to indicate why they weren't recalling the vehicles, or alternatively
> to give me indication in writing that coil failure would not present a
> safety hazard. They refused to do either.

That's strange because I got a letter warning me of this possibility and
announcing a warrantee extension for my 2000 SE wagon. In my case I don't
expect to need it because I have my car oil-sprayed every year.

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Michael Heiming - 02 Jan 2005 22:21 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus Dave Gower <davegow.removethis@magma.ca>:

> <...I called Ford Canada asking them
>> to indicate why they weren't recalling the vehicles, or alternatively
>> to give me indication in writing that coil failure would not present a
>> safety hazard. They refused to do either.

> That's strange because I got a letter warning me of this possibility and
> announcing a warrantee extension for my 2000 SE wagon. In my case I don't
> expect to need it because I have my car oil-sprayed every year.

Hi Dave!

Is this really oil? Or some kind of excavation sealing, being
imaginable, but *oil*? You'd probably easily get a penalty of
about 50.000 EUR or more over here (Germany), for doing so.

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marc cooper - 02 Jan 2005 23:09 GMT

> In alt.autos.ford.focus Dave Gower <davegow.removethis@magma.ca>:
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> imaginable, but *oil*? You'd probably easily get a penalty of
> about 50.000 EUR or more over here (Germany), for doing so.

Yes, please do tell what you mean by "oil-sprayed" and how that makes
the potential coil failure any less impending or dangerous.

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Damon Scott Hynes - 03 Jan 2005 01:28 GMT

>> Is this really oil? Or some kind of excavation sealing, being
>> imaginable, but *oil*? You'd probably easily get a penalty of
>> about 50.000 EUR or more over here (Germany), for doing so.
>>
> Yes, please do tell what you mean by "oil-sprayed" and how that makes
> the potential coil failure any less impending or dangerous.

I assume this is something like Ziebart, which IIRC resembles candle wax.

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Dave Gower - 03 Jan 2005 05:41 GMT

>>> Is this really oil? Or some kind of excavation sealing, being
>>> imaginable, but *oil*? You'd probably easily get a penalty of
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> I assume this is something like Ziebart, which IIRC resembles candle wax.

Yup. We call it "oil spray" but it's actually a special coating good for one
year (and completely legal). Prevents corrosion due to road salt. As I
understand it, corrosion is the cause of these coil failures.

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Way - 06 Feb 2005 18:36 GMT

Dave, what is the brand name of the 'oil spray' you mentioned?
I looked into something like that a while back. One looked very
effective (Krown) but it was only available somewhere in the interior
of BC then. Now I see that it is available in quite a few areas, even
right here in Chilliwack. The only reservation I have is whether it
will make a mess of the side windows and locks in the doors.

>>>> Is this really oil? Or some kind of excavation sealing, being
>>>> imaginable, but *oil*? You'd probably easily get a penalty of
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>year (and completely legal). Prevents corrosion due to road salt. As I
>understand it, corrosion is the cause of these coil failures.

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Andy Lee - 03 Jan 2005 01:31 GMT

>In alt.autos.ford.focus Dave Gower <davegow.removethis@magma.ca>:
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>imaginable, but *oil*? You'd probably easily get a penalty of
>about 50.000 EUR or more over here (Germany), for doing so.

Michael

In the Uk we had a product called Waxoyl for many years this was a
sort of semi solid waxy substance which was sprayed onto the bottom of
the vehicle (and into box cavities) to help protect the car from
corrosion. This seems to have become less popular in recent years as
the manufactures have put greater efforts in rust resistance.

Maybe this is what David is talking about.

Andy

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Justin Case - 03 Jan 2005 13:22 GMT

I have always used Finnegans Waxoyl on previous UK cars (and other things). Was a bit shocked last spring when I looked under my 2000V 1.8 zetec (which I love and is fantastic) and saw that there was a lot of surface rust on the underneath bits, mainly suspension bits/springs/and other "moving" bits in steering and exhaust mountings etc. Decided to do it with Waxoyl and then remembered that I had given it to my son when he took my 89 BMW E30 over, thinking that I would not need anything like that with this "modern" car!!!!!!
Looked all over for Finnegans Waxoyl, couldn't find it anywhere then I went to Halfords and BINGO!! There it was, a lot more expensive than before and actually not now Finnegans but Hammerite. Pleased as punch I bought some and did the whole of the underneath and a few bits in the engine compartment - it is excellent and providing you take care not to come in contact with the disk surfaces, it is as good as it always was (seems a bit thinner in consistency??) and I shall probably re-do it again next spring. I can certainly agree with the recommendation - it is also good for any metal (did the moving bits on my garage door) and also for wood (if anyone has a Morgan?????).
Justin Case

> >Hi Dave!
> >
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Andy

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Michael Heiming - 04 Jan 2005 19:01 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus Andy Lee <arl@blueyonder.co.uk>:
[..]

> In the Uk we had a product called Waxoyl for many years this was a
> sort of semi solid waxy substance which was sprayed onto the bottom of
> the vehicle (and into box cavities) to help protect the car from
> corrosion. This seems to have become less popular in recent years as
> the manufactures have put greater efforts in rust resistance.

> Maybe this is what David is talking about.

Hi Andy!

Sounds like from Dave's reply. It's called "Hohlraumversiegelung"
over here "excavation sealing" looked like the closest
translation available.

Looks like we all meant the same thing.;)

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