I need help

[seppiex1]

On my way home tonight from a long day, I was about to turn onto my street and I heard a new sound from my car. At about 2500 rpm, there is a ton of clatter coming from the engine. When I got home I popped the hood, and seeing as I don't have my tools here at the house, did the old screwdriver trick to kind of hear where the noise is coming from. from the front of the car between the 3rd and 4th coil (from the pass side) there is a ton of clatter. I decided to check my oil again and found that it was down about 2 quarts. I had checked it yesterday and it was perfect. so I am confused as to whats going on. My car is a 2003 2.3 Duratec with 56K on it. any help would be greatly appreciated.


Joe

[Z63R]

Difficult to render a diagnosis over the internet. You really need to consult a local professional tech.

Worst case scenario, though, isn't good. The lack of oil creates big problems; operating the engine with 2 of the 4.5 quarts that are usually in the crankcase can lead to oil starvation at the main, connecting rod and camshaft bearings.

2.5 quarts in the engine is fine if the engine isn't tossed around in the car while stopping, accelerating and cornering. All that activity and the associated g-loads move what little oil is in the pan away from the oil pump pickup, leading to the oil starvation described above.

Good luck; let's hope it's something minor, otherwise, you may be looking at an engine replacement.

Is the car mostly stock? Do you have any type of extended warranty?

[seppiex1]

intake and exhaust, lowered with wheels, no extended warrenty, and I am just hoping that its only in the head. I can't afford an engine right now.

[seppiex1]

since I can't get any help or ideas I am selling my focus, 2003 zx3 2.3 duratec, lowered with tein springs, 17's, full audio system, only 56k on it. 5 Spd, love the car but can't keep it

[pitchblack_focus]

My 2.3 PZEV chattered once, not long after it dropped an exhaust valve. Engine went bye-bye. If it just started you might be able to save it, just get it to a mechanic and don't drive on it until you figure it out.

[brads03zx3]

Originally Posted by seppiex1

since I can't get any help or ideas I am selling my focus

Since you don't quite have 100 posts, you can't post for sale threads on the 'jet, and not in duratec tuning.

But, I replaced my engine for $550 and it can be done cheaper than that (not counting replacement fluids, etc.). I ran my engine when I was down 3 qts. I suspect I spun a bearing. It was cheaper to replace the engine than to repair it. I bought a used engine w/56k miles.

Unfortunately, you said you don't have a lot of tools, and I suspect not a whole lot of mechanic experience. That's gonna be an expensive trip to the shop, or a whole lotta BBQ and cases of beer for a good group of friends. On the other hand, it could be as easy as a popped valve spring, or something else in the head. A tear down may be required to know exactly what is going on. Good luck.

[seppiex1]

I am a mechanic, I have a ton of bills that I have been catching up on. as for tools, I just checked today, my snap on total for the past 2 years, $19,000+ and thats not including my box. its the parts that I cant get right now. so its back to the honda, which is fun to drive.

[seppiex1]

So today I pulled the head off and found that I had sucked an exhaust valve. so things have changed a little. the rest comes out either tonight or tomorrow, and then off to the machine shop, bored out to a 2.5, and going from there.

[sayin0487]

nice, so i guess you wont be selling it?

[seppiex1]

I will prolly still sell it soon. after I finish my other project, I would rather be sideways they anything else. I figure that I might actually fall back in love with the focus but if not then I have someone lined up for it

[seppiex1]

to the culprit of my engine knock/midget mud wrestling match in the oil pan. today I went to work and decided to tear down my engine, well I got the head off, everything seems fine in the top end, all but the cam that is missing a chunk off of the cam gear end, and the bottom end that is missing over half of the timing chain guide. Or how about the oil pump that is seized? I am a little worried about all three of these things as I have only put 13K on the car and now this. I got the new engine, and I am in the process of swapping everything over and realized that there were some bolts sheared off flush with the block, so motor 2 is on its way.

update: motor 2 gets here, it was from an auto, rear end total.26K on it.
-

[seppiex1]

that was after a ton of work



but it was a lot easier with the lift, and you can see the guys on the right, those were the "helpers", they can watch anyone do serious work

[seppiex1]

update:
I got the new engine in the car, there is a little more wiring to do and I should have it back together. there is a few sensors that are a little different, the plug on top of the valve cover is different, so I changed it to the one that came off of my beat engine. and those ignorant axle nuts, those were supposed to be here today but they never showed up, damn ford, damn them all to hell.

[seppiex1]

this is a first, so in the past 2 weeks I have blown 2 engines, now I put in the third engine and there is no clutch, it was fine for the first 2 and now theres nothing. I think that I need to bleed it......anyone any ideas?

[sayin0487]

if u didnt open the clutch system to air, then it shouldnt need to be bled. but if u did, then bleeding the clutch may be a good idea. what went wrong with the second engine?

[seppiex1]

put the number 3 piston through the block and broke the crank, so I have decided that I am not going to do any modifications to this engine. I am going broke getting this thing going again

[sayin0487]

that sucks, sorry and good luck

[seppiex1]

I know this is prolly not the right place to ask this, but I have gone through 3 gallons of brake fluid trying to bleed the new clutch. I have done it the FORD way, the brake bleed way and the gravity way. NONE have worked help me please

[sporadic]

Are you still getting air when bleeding or is it a solid stream of fluid when you open the bleeder valve?

[seppiex1]

I'm only getting fluid

[sayin0487]

i know this may sound crazy, but its what i had to do on my s10, a friends subbie and a few clutches i did at work. after bleeding it i had to just sit in the vehicle and with the bleeder closed, pump the pedal alo. and i do mean alot. i had to do it for 45 mins in my friends subbie. took about 15 mins in my s10. so maybe give that a try if you arent getting any air.

good luck.

[seppiex1]

I paid the kid that works at the store $10 bucks to pump the thing for an hour, it nothing for me.

[sayin0487]

im not sure what else could be a problem.