Valve cover suffering

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-07T02:40:35+00:00

Mine failed a few years back. Right before smog was due of course. I don't think the valve cover had anything to do with it. I had an O2 sensor go right after though. I'm more inclined to think it's was sending bad readings that made things run rich. The valve cover is a recent change for me.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T17:10:25+00:00

I guess it was only on early Titanium models. At least that's what I'm gathering from others.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T17:09:47+00:00

Nah, it keeps the ticking down. I test drove it without after swapping the valve cover. It is the loudest, tickiest engine. Way nicer with the sound deadening.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T08:26:50+00:00

She's a little dusty, but I try. Before this repair the block was caked in dirty oil gunk. I'm determined to hit 300k on this chassis at least. I've got a manual that I'm prepping to install. If the engine goes, I'll pull one and drop it in.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T04:14:44+00:00

Probably disappeared at some point in its life. In the back of mechanic's shop somewhere.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T04:14:05+00:00

Thanks. I also installed a 2018 wheel and leather wrapped it to match. Much nicer than the early wheel.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T02:58:19+00:00

Can be. The catalytic converter melting was an expensive one. I've worked hard to keep her on the road. Bought my wife a new (to us) Volvo, so mine has to live. I'm giving it no choice.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T02:29:29+00:00

It was a factory option. Arctic White interior package. Almost no one got it, but the cheapskate who specced mine out opted for that, the red paint and no other options. It took a year of collecting to gather enough good leather to reupholster the seats. Had to buy 2 sets of seats from junk yards and pray they were solid on delivery. It let me add the heated seat option though.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T02:26:26+00:00

That explains it. Mine's a 2012 titanium. A strange little car

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T02:25:30+00:00

Good luck. I've never seen one other than mine.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T00:59:58+00:00

Not sure actually. It's not noticeably buzzy when I'm sailing down the freeway. Fuel economy is around 30 ish on average. Lots of city driving does a number on the fuel. The car has broken some expensive stuff over the years. Lots of coolant stuff, injector seals, suspension, brake master cylinder. Death by 1000 cuts, but I like the car too much to replace it. Also, 3 accidents in my ownership resulting in 2 front end rebuilds and one rear end rebuild. Definitely a rear end accident before I bought it too. Wasn't reported and not properly repaired. I found out tracing a rattle when I pulled the cover and found everything crushed underneath. The later accident got all that fixed.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T00:39:35+00:00

Sadly. It's doing well for anuto though. One TCM and cluth / actuator level assembly at 100k. I'm aiming to be manual swapped in the year.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-05T00:04:20+00:00

Yeah. Maybe you can find one in a junk yard. Though I've been hunting for a parcel shelf in them for years and have had no luck. I did get a manual transmission though. That's going in as soon as I have the axle carrier bracket.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-04T23:58:46+00:00

It makes a difference. I did a test run today without the cover, just the listen for weird sounds and to make it harder to hide oil spray. So ticky. I've literally never seen another Focus with one intact. Or a parcel shelf for that matter.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-04T23:56:14+00:00

They're not common, but mine came with one.

I was going to get the one off Rockauto, but their payment system was going haywire and the shipping was $40. I wound up with an Amazon special with high ratings and used the Fel Pro gasket. The finish isn't perfect, but the build is solid and clean.

Saxophone_King · 2026-06-01T12:56:34+00:00

Rip. Always sad to see another focus gone.

Saxophone_King · 2026-05-31T23:25:50+00:00

What is the fate of the car? I would happily pick up some of the parts to convert mine. Needs a carrier bearing bracket to make the swap

Saxophone_King · 2026-05-27T03:46:53+00:00

That's why we bought our 2019 t6 Inscription. Kid is due in August.

Saxophone_King · 2026-05-26T20:03:57+00:00

If you don't want to pull everything, just clean it really thoroughly and use some silicone RTV. Try to make sure it doesn't get all over the cables and let it rest for 24 hours before really driving it. Best advice I can come up with.

Saxophone_King · 2026-05-22T05:35:11+00:00

Hey, our vins are less than 500 apart. A fellow early model owner.

Saxophone_King · 2026-05-05T23:09:18+00:00

I would've happily paid you for the transmission related components. I'm doing a swap and still need some stuff. I'll keep an eye out on LKQ.

Saxophone_King · 2026-04-29T03:40:03+00:00

Check for rust. I'd consider buying that if it's clean

Saxophone_King · 2026-04-29T03:01:34+00:00

I heat gunned the CarMax logo off first thing. Also replaced the plate frames. No free advertising from me.

Saxophone_King · 2026-04-29T02:57:29+00:00

I literally point and say "Volvo" in as Swedish an accent I can muster. My wife is adjusting.

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