113k Engine Maintenance

[NopeTheLemon]

I‘m currently looking at getting a 2014 Fiesta ST with 113k miles. I was wondering, if it seems like everything checks out, if i should consider saving up a bit of cash and getting some heavier maintenance done. I’ve read that the 2014 have head gasket issues, which this car has many miles so I imagine it wouldn’t have this given its made it this far but, i was considering getting the following done within the months of owning it:

Oil pump
water pump
head gasket
clutch & flywheel
slave & master cylinder
timing belt

I’m cool with putting more money in afterwards, its just a good deal (given the market) and even the lower mileage ones are the price difference of getting the parts And work done. Just looking to have it stay reliable while still being able to push it a bit. No bouncing off redline, but its a fun car i wanna enjoy it without worrying about blowing because of high mileage. I hope this is the correct place to post it. Gonna take a look at it later today so if there’s anything else i should look for aside for the normal (leaks, noises, etc.) I’d love to know.

Thanks everyone,

 

[SteveS]

Scheduled timing belt change interval is 150,000 miles.
Oil pump and water pump I wouldn't do anything with unless they were causing a problem.
Head gasket likewise. The early cars had a recall for an overheating problem. You can check your VIN for the recall at https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/ to see if it still needs to be done. But there's no reason to mess with a working sealed head gasket.
Clutch and flywheel there's no reason to do unless you can feel slippage.
Clutch slave and master cylinder leave alone unless you're having a problem--or do it when you have to do the clutch and bearings. The typical thing seen is clutch pedal sticks down and you have to pull it up.

What would be recommended is to change the transmission oil, and make sure to fully fill it. You can search the forum for that, and instructions too.
Likewise, changing the engine oil and filter, and air filter (due at 120,000 anyway) and the cabin air filter (also due at 120,000)
Check the brake pads and discs, and make sure brakes are operating well. Flush and fill brake fluid would also be due at 120,000.
Coolant flush and fill will also be due at 120,000.

 

[NopeTheLemon]

Scheduled timing belt change interval is 150,000 miles.
Oil pump and water pump I wouldn't do anything with unless they were causing a problem.
Head gasket likewise. The early cars had a recall for an overheating problem. You can check your VIN for the recall at https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/ to see if it still needs to be done. But there's no reason to mess with a working sealed head gasket.
Clutch and flywheel there's no reason to do unless you can feel slippage.
Clutch slave and master cylinder leave alone unless you're having a problem--or do it when you have to do the clutch and bearings. The typical thing seen is clutch pedal sticks down and you have to pull it up.

What would be recommended is to change the transmission oil, and make sure to fully fill it. You can search the forum for that, and instructions too.
Likewise, changing the engine oil and filter, and air filter (due at 120,000 anyway) and the cabin air filter (also due at 120,000)
Check the brake pads and discs, and make sure brakes are operating well. Flush and fill brake fluid would also be due at 120,000.
Coolant flush and fill will also be due at 120,000.

———-

Thank you very much for this reply i highly appreciate it. I will keep this in mind when checking the vehicle out.

 

[rallytaff]

I have a 2014 ST and didn't get a recall for the head gasket. Never had a problem with it and I've done 101,000 now.

 

[NopeTheLemon]

I have a 2014 ST and didn't get a recall for the head gasket. Never had a problem with it and I've done 101,000 now.

I imagine you’ve been keeping up with general maintenance the whole time. Did you get the car at a lower mileage?

 

[CSM]

I've had my 2014 for 8 years now, 102k miles. Recently just did new trans (bye bye second gear lol), timing belt, water pump, valve stem seals, valve cleaning

A few things:

• It's not a head gasket recall, it's a cylinder head recall - All 2014 models and some 2015 models were impacted by this. Ford ended up recalling 440k vehicles in total. The problem is Ford was using a poor cast for the cylinder head during manufacturing. One of the coolant passageways would have localized "hot spots" due to the poor casting, which would flash off coolant. If the coolant got too low, the car would overheat. The fix is a rerouting of one of the coolant lines, a new coolant reservoir, and install of a coolant level sensor. You can easily tell if a 2014/2015 car has the fix because it has a more round coolant reservoir that is the updated design. More info here https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/ford-recalls-440k-vehicles-due-to-fire-risk.13373/
• I recently grenaded my transmission (pushing 330 torque in second gear was just too much), so while the car was down, I had my tech go ahead and do the water pump, timing belt, valve stem seals, and walnut blast the valves. I would recommend considering to do the valve stem seals if you see any symptoms (oil smoke out of tailpipe on cold start, stops when car is warm). At 102k mine were really bad. The valves were coated in carbon buildup too, and so doing a walnut blast was great and so that is something that can regain some power and fuel economy

 

[CSM]

Scheduled timing belt change interval is 150,000 miles.
Oil pump and water pump I wouldn't do anything with unless they were causing a problem.
Head gasket likewise. The early cars had a recall for an overheating problem. You can check your VIN for the recall at https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/ to see if it still needs to be done. But there's no reason to mess with a working sealed head gasket.
Clutch and flywheel there's no reason to do unless you can feel slippage.
Clutch slave and master cylinder leave alone unless you're having a problem--or do it when you have to do the clutch and bearings. The typical thing seen is clutch pedal sticks down and you have to pull it up.

What would be recommended is to change the transmission oil, and make sure to fully fill it. You can search the forum for that, and instructions too.
Likewise, changing the engine oil and filter, and air filter (due at 120,000 anyway) and the cabin air filter (also due at 120,000)
Check the brake pads and discs, and make sure brakes are operating well. Flush and fill brake fluid would also be due at 120,000.
Coolant flush and fill will also be due at 120,000.

I don't agree with the head gasket thing (see my post above).

I do agree with not touching oil, water pump, timing belt etc ahead of the scheduled interval, UNLESS the car was driven in really bad conditions (heavy snow/cold temps, dusty high temp areas, etc.). Then it might not hurt for the peace of mind to do it ahead of schedule.

I agree on clutch and flywheel and slave cyl - don't touch unless you need to.

Brakes I agree with - also check the slide pins for sticking, they are notorious

 

[rallytaff]

I imagine you’ve been keeping up with general maintenance the whole time. Did you get the car at a lower mileage?

Just oil and filter changes at 8,000 mile intervals. I got the car with about 15 miles on it. Anything goes wrong, I take it straight to the dealer. I still have 23,000 miles left on my extended warranty. I drive it the way it should be driven and still love it after 8yrs!

 

[SteveS]

I don't agree with the head gasket thing (see my post above).

I think you did agree. I said not to mess with the head gasket but to make sure the car had the recall done.

 

[CSM]

I think you did agree. I said not to mess with the head gasket but to make sure the car had the recall done.

No I mean it's not the head gasket lol. It's the cylinder head. Totally different things. The recall has nothing to do with the head gasket. The cylinder heads will overheat and crack, spewing oil everywhere. The head gaskets dont really fail on these cars unless you start to push 350+hp, then you'll see the cylinder head lift at the head gasket causing engine failure.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Scheduled timing belt change interval is 150,000 miles.
Oil pump and water pump I wouldn't do anything with unless they were causing a problem.
Head gasket likewise. The early cars had a recall for an overheating problem. You can check your VIN for the recall at https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/ to see if it still needs to be done. But there's no reason to mess with a working sealed head gasket.
Clutch and flywheel there's no reason to do unless you can feel slippage.
Clutch slave and master cylinder leave alone unless you're having a problem--or do it when you have to do the clutch and bearings. The typical thing seen is clutch pedal sticks down and you have to pull it up.

What would be recommended is to change the transmission oil, and make sure to fully fill it. You can search the forum for that, and instructions too.
Likewise, changing the engine oil and filter, and air filter (due at 120,000 anyway) and the cabin air filter (also due at 120,000)
Check the brake pads and discs, and make sure brakes are operating well. Flush and fill brake fluid would also be due at 120,000.
Coolant flush and fill will also be due at 120,000.

Isn't the water pump fully open/exposed/easy to access when the timing belt is replaced (or is it the alternator/generator I am thinking of?)??

Why not just do it then, especially if one does not have the; time, skills, tools, work area to do it themselves when it does go, most importantly when they also then have to PAY someone TWICE for the labor, if the above is the case?

 

[NopeTheLemon]

I appreciate everyone’s respones. I ended up not going for the high mileage ST but am looking to finally pick one up tomorrow! It’s a 2019 with about 50k miles and very clean. Super excited to pick it up. After owning a Sentra SER Spec V, Dodge Dart and Toyota Corolla Hatchback (2020), this seems like one of the best choices i could make given im back in the market again.

Thank again guys; hopefully i make another post with my new ride .

 

[Geebs]

I appreciate everyone’s respones. I ended up not going for the high mileage ST but am looking to finally pick one up tomorrow! It’s a 2019 with about 50k miles and very clean. Super excited to pick it up. After owning a Sentra SER Spec V, Dodge Dart and Toyota Corolla Hatchback (2020), this seems like one of the best choices i could make given im back in the market again.

Thank again guys; hopefully i make another post with my new ride .

Hope it works out for you....I'm 51 and it's the most funnest (not a word) car I have ever owned. It's agile and quick and makes me smile every time I drive it!!

 

[NopeTheLemon]

Well the car I initially went to go look at didn't work out but... I ended up getting a 2019 with 57k miles and this is everything I ever wanted in a vehicle. This car is absolutely amazing, and I'm super excited to join the community. Thank you all for the advice and feedback! Hope to share more as time goes on