7 Years & 40k Service/OCI

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Mar 10, 2017
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South Wales, UK
My Sister moved in with her partner last year and they now share his car. This is a 2010 Ford Fiesta with a 1.25 Zetec SE or 'sigma' engine. I don't think you got this engine in the US, only it's bigger sibbling the 1.6.

They'd asked me to take a look at the car as it had a misfire at idle. When I started looking into things, it transpired that it's not been touched by a mechanic since he purchased the car in 2014 with 35,000miles on the clock. That means it's been 7 years and done just over 40,000miles on the oil that was in the car when he purchased it.

I will say, Liquimoly Engine Flush Plus seems a cracking product if you can make assumptions looking through the fill hole.

I'll let the pictures do the talking...
 

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I agree, it is impressive. I wonder what oil was in that engine?

The reccomended specification is a 5w30 meeting WSS-M2C-913C which is an add-on to ACEA A5/B5.

The factory oil change interval is 12,500miles or 12 months.

I think they've got away with this one as our oils are more suited to extended intervals and they do a lot of long journeys.

I went with a 15w40 as there is a bit of a leak from the main crank seal. They've no intention of changing the clutch any time soon so assumed a 15w40 may slow the leak slightly. In addition, I've also added a can of Liquimoly Motor Oil Saver. I've only recently started using Liquimoly products and overall I'm quite impressed.

I've told them to give it 6 months and I'll do another flush, oil & filter change with another dose of Liquimoly Oil Saver.
 
I'm surprised it wasn't sludged out worse. I was expecting a nice even thick wall of sludge covering everything. That looked like 20k so it must've had an oil change somewhere or it strangely had some good stuff.in it. I know the engine is gentle but still that's a lot.
 
That engine needs a power wash so badly. I am surprised the motor even runs with so many miles without maintenance.

I did, soaked it in a degreaser for half hour and pressure washed it all thoroughly. Spritzed a water based dressing all over the engine bay and took it straight out on the motorway for a blast. Forgot to take a picture! Doh!
 
In the old days someone would post: "I bet that engine had at least one oil change".

Not doubting the OP, but I'm guessing somewhere in those 7 years, for something, at some shop..........and maybe the owner just was not aware of the change.
what i thought too. it had to have had one that the owner forgot about or could immediately recall.
 
Not advocating this but in the early 90's my sister bought a brand new Corolla (I think - it was definitely a Toyota) and she proceeded to change the oil 40-50K miles or so. She thought it was hilarious and it was an ongoing joke for all 8 years and 200K trouble-free miles that she owned it. They don't make'em like that anymore...
 
In the old days someone would post: "I bet that engine had at least one oil change".

Not doubting the OP, but I'm guessing somewhere in those 7 years, for something, at some shop..........and maybe the owner just was not aware of the change.

My Sisters partner is adament it's not been touched since it was purchased, I'm inclined to believe him.

Our oils in Europe do seem to be a cut above some of the oils available on the other side of the pond. I suspect because long OCI's have been standard here for 25 years or so.
 
A guy who has no clue to check the car in 7 years of ownership isn't someone I'd like my sister to be with... hope he showers and brushes teeth more often than once a week... LOL

Unfortunatley it's a generational thing. I'm 28 and most of my friends just jump in their car and as-long as the car gets them from A to B they aren't interested by whats going on under the bonnet. I think it's a side effect of cars becomming so reliable and not requiring constant tinkering and maintenance to be reliable.
 
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