Focus RS engine was built, tuned & blew up at Nurburgring! But WHY?

/ @barumstories
We strip down the Focus RS MK3 engine. Built with all the right bits and tuned but blew up at the Nurburgring, but we take a look at why this happened. We also show the progress on one of a few Cosworth engines in the workshop, getting through them we are!

[@MrJustus152]

I have to laugh whenever you say "prick in a bucket " I've never heard that here in the States. I love the videos and I have learned a ton of information about Cosworth engines.

[@kickn5k]

As someone that makes custom forged pistons, it's good to see an engine machine shop modifying pistons.

[@joemcmillen783]

Nice Vid on the RS MK3 engine failure. Looking to build a 2.0 liter for my MK3 RS as well. Good intel on this one. Thanks!

[@michaeljenner5628]

That normally aspirated cosworth would look great in your kit car Lee ! That would be a great business promotion

[@colinscutt5104]

way to heavy + needs gearbox too

[@chiefrocka8604]

@@colinscutt5104alloy blocked it ain’t

[@pinkyn0se]

I just can't help but chuckle when I see a Focus RS on the road... They just makes me think of RnB, Gold Chains, Trainers, gyms, steroids, ASBO's, the 80's, XR3I's, Halfords body kits, Alley cat wheels, furry dice, and WRC steering wheel covers 😂

[@jblack5323]

I think you’re getting ahead of yourself old boy, if anything they’re less of a common denominator than the Golf R, Audi S3 and 140i clan clinging onto their 20’s with crackle map, fade haircuts and Northface attire.

[@moonchild666]

@@jblack5323 HA! Love it.

[@shaunsnyman5107]

You let me think of those dorky guys who wears pull up socks and are minus negative muscle

[@PatrickJMele]

Happy to see yous guys have quite a lot of work coming in happy for you fellas

[@billysharp6194]

Motorsports development ltd up in Blackpool posted up on the FB in June about a mk3 RS focus they had the ECU off to evaluate a remap done by another company. They found that the remap had removed the safety for a overheating engine. There are some cowboys out there.

[@djwarren5081]

A really enjoyable watch. Thanks Lee.

[@matthewharlowehrscyclespor668]

Thanks Lee!

[@madeofscars9355]

The mk3 rs sounds like classic bore washing from the pop bang tunes. Find a reputable tuner and have it re mapped often they completely disable "dfco" for the pops and bangs which can increase the risk of lspi as well. It looks like they are using the 2.0 St block (closed deck) which is a bonus but it sucks about the piston to bore clearance and also boostline rods are pretty good for the price of them.

[@IIjuneyaaaII]

The Athena head gaskets even on the 2.0 ecoboost are known for failing prematurely.

[@russellhammond4373]

Barum Engines has a great 'brains trust'.

[@jcos55chev19]

On the Volvo, Fill the radiator with water then put air pressure on the radiator, some where around 12-15 pounds. I would think with the huge amount of coolant leaked in the sump with that small a mileage, the leak would definitely show up and you most likely will be able to see looking up from the bottom, where the leak is coming from.

[@paulorchard7960]

👍

[@4pexPredator]

1)Boostline rods are Wiseco. 2)Use latest revision oem ford head gasket.

[@eddieMurphy11111]

good day to you thank you for the video

[@allanholm5968]

Thanks for super good Movies. How Manu horses did YOU g’et out of That cosworth Engine for the escort mk1 .

[@formidable38]

Anyone who uses modified fuel maps and runs it hard, an air- fuel ratio meter is a very good investment and far cheaper than crank bearrings and melted pistons etc. I had one in my Skyline days, early 2000's.

[@TheGreyTest]

10:00 I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… this wear (along with most of the other issues) will no doubt be “Pops and Bangs” map related.

[@M0WFC]

If they used a brand new 2.0l block the cylinders when new are around 87.47mm so it's pretty small bore for a new forged 87.5mm piston. Them rings look like they were too tight probably why it overheated. Stock ford or yenmak pistons are 87.44mm there undersized to the 87.5mm spec

[@carllavery4069]

Boostline are made by weisco and 220.000psi and 4 cylinder can hold 1000bhp I was looking at these for my evo x

[@therealspixycat]

Put air pressure on oil and coolant system using a normal air pressure regulator and an air compressor to pressurize that closed system continuesly

[@davidturner8689]

Let's see some work!

[@123ginger3]

How was the carvery on Sunday at Williams arms?👍

[@lukemarshall4618]

Where did you get your valve spring press from?

[@coleheister7390]

serious question. does a early 70s Ford 2.3 liter from a Pinto have anything in common with those Cosworth engines ?

[@paulaus]

I don’t think so. They’re loosely of the same family but that’s about it.

[@TamTran-vw7zm]

Will you please tell me if the Cossie 200 block and the EcoBoost blocks are equivalent? And thusly, are the engines equivalent? Is the EB a development of the Cossie? We don't get this kind of info in the USA. Thank you very much.

[@ssnerd583]

no...and no....

[@TD16V]

Cossie block is iron and pretty similar to the pinto 2.0 engine block and the 2.3 block from the early 80s mustang and tbirds The focus2.3 block is alloy and evolved from the Mazda MZR engine block. Totally different animals in every way

[@FireicerCooper]

You really do go the extra mile to build these engines. From beyond just a repair with stock parts

[@cdmmotorrepairs9971]

Also I’ve heard these engines going bang at Ring, after filling up with Ultimate 102 Octane. Not saying this is what’s caused this problem, but coincidental.

[@bluemule3891]

Hey Lee, hidden Nitrous Blue mule

[@bluemule3891]

Nooooooo, another set of pistons????? egad. 😆 Ok, please for your own sanity, put a overheat clause, and a proper map clause, in the warranty. Do you use heat buttons? If so put one on the block also. It might not be fuel, it might be timing, running right on the edge of detonation, I have seen this, and you cannot see it in the plugs or piston tops. Just a suggestion. Blue Mule

[@TESTA-CC]

You should do a video of how many engines you have Rebuilt in this current financial year. Vs how many have been Returned due to failure and the Customer blaming you. It would be interesting to know the Ratio of Engines Built - to Engines Returned also naming the Tuners who tuned these engines so you can also work with these tuners. I believe this would actually weed out the scammers who return engines who blame both tuners and engine builders as a gap in the middle using lawyers to retrieve money lost when they blow up the engine. I think you would see a pattern develope.

[@johnwebley3790]

The Volvo leaking water, Is the oilcooler integral with the water rad? Suggest you bye pass the oil cooler, just a simple link pipe, Run it,see if any water exits via the open oil rad, Once had this on a Fiat twin cam, Leaking between the two

[@stevem7868-y4l]

i came back on here to say the same thing, is it possible to bypass the cooler, thus proving it was at fault, and not the engine

[@kingGar27]

Is it true that bad injectors can cause overheating (due to insufficient fuel cooling the cylinder)? I assume it's slightly different for diesels (?).

[@GordonGoblin-f3r]

Built and tuned by Barum seems a good reason for it shitting itself?

[@Phuc_Yhou]

Mr "Just add fuel, timing and disable temp and knock sensors for a Zillion HP and a 0-60 quicker than changing my number so you can never get hold of me again " tuner strikes again...

[@MegaReddevil71]

Mk3 focus rs engine had a big issue with blowing headgaskets many were recalled under warranty in the first yr or so to have headgaskets replaced also the block can crack my mate sold his as soon as he had the recall from ford

[@fezhoult4134]

Have you guys done many Subaru EJ engines?

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

You want a specialist who deals with nothing but for the ejs

[@fezhoult4134]

@@Truth-And-Freedom Yes buddy I get that, I’m just asking barum if they have work on many👍

[@FairladyS130]

A friend of mine is a performance engine builder, he will not accept jobs where the owner brings their own parts. His reasoning is that often such parts are unsuitable or don't fit plus he takes responsibility for the entire build. He gets too much work.

[@SimonWallwork]

Why would there be water in an oil cooler? Most oil coolers use air to cool. Is it an oil heater?

[@cwmbc]

Theres a few car manufacturers who run oil coolers that have water jackets...volvo for one. As it means you can run the cooler bolted to the engine and reduce hose runs to a minimum.

[@Airgunfunrich]

@@cwmbcso do VAG

[@colinscutt5104]

oil to water heat exchanger, usually fits on the filter housing

[@theshed8802]

Volvo have used oil to water coolers for decades. I remember replacing failed B30 coolers in the 80's

[@house89147]

Peugeot Citroen and ford also run these.

[@paulaus]

What is the make of the throttle bodies on that cosworth?

[@jamesstanbridge9211]

'Slapping about like a prick in a bucket..'😅

[@marshgatelaneposse]

Wiseco rods

[@rupertm2542]

The problem with the Mk3 was the wrong head gasket. They used a normal 2.3 gasket from a mustang. That gasket blocks one of the water channels on the Mk3 and blows the gasket out. Was mainly early models and they didn’t always fit a new engine when presented with problems. Think they did a recall in the end

[@djwarren5081]

It did affect later ones too. Mine was a 2017 build and was recalled for the head gasket.

[@lastexile1187]

@@djwarren5081 thats right, all 2016 and 2017 cars were covered by the TSB, full engine replacement by ford. Some even had two engines, some have had a replacement and still subsequently blew up...

[@bobbyshankit]

@@lastexile1187 they didn't get a full engine replacement, the standard solution was to replace the head gasket, mine had this done twice as the refitting procedure sent out to the dealers the 1st time around was incorrect so mine along with many others ended up with an oil leak, my engine packed up 2 months after the 2nd replacement gasket, ford would only cough up 65% contribution as it was out of warranty, cost me 4.5K to get me car back from dealer, total bill was over 11k, disgraceful by ford really but they wouldn't replace my engine at all

[@lastexile1187]

@@bobbyshankit I’ve heard otherwise by other owners who both had full engine replacements, markcup70 on youtube and a mate with a 2017 focus rs in ireland, regardless thats poor form from ford WRT your car

[@Antony_Jenner]

In my opinion any high performance engine either being for track or road use is not going to last obviously, so ring wear and such is all part and parcel of the exercise. If you got the money spend it, if you haven't don't build it.

[@ssnerd583]

I did a sleeved Subaru 2.5 running a decent size turbo and E85(on the weekends) and it went 60k miles doing 600ish whp before a bloody tree fell on it in a storm and demolished it. Sold the motor to a mate who beat hell out of it for a long time before he pulled it apart to re-ring it......likely would have gone longer but that E85 is hell on oil. Then I got an EVO VIII and....well......SubaWHAT??? LOL

[@grosom31]

Bro, how are we mere mortals supposed to keep track of whats going on when everyone is called Paul,? I mean like 1 Kyle 1 something i cant remember , and about 5 Pauls where are all these Pauls coming from, was there a sale down the registry office.?

[@MrBollocks10]

I know why! It's because they went to these guys.

[@-DC-]

Ford and Chocolate Engine Syndrome, Definitely very suspicious Map wise we'll be seeing this one again 👍

[@weldybren]

A mapped ford with sh@gged rings? I’m shocked. Shocked I tell you.

[@gileravarna8554]

Really sorry but hat 2 that have had cracks I the head In t4 conversations I couldn't find the cracks even with die etc but yeah lost loads I'm oil when worm

[@TCBOT]

lol giving it too much lol norm goes it just shut off like my mates gsxr srad go pro footage it didn't go below 130 for 20 miles on the road nutter lol 2 pistons where just missing

[@KevinWithers]

Sound clip of the NA Cosworth engine once running or I’m gonna un~subscribe 😮😂

[@paulhoogeveen7353]

But it won't be better than a NA EVO 3 4G63 with ITB's!!!😂

[@darranevans8609]

The fiat 20v turbo engine was better than the Focus engine and it was designed in 1985

[@G33.DEVELOPMENTS]

athena head gaskets are shocking no wonder head gasket has gone

[@dannystone4566]

That’s not a 2.3 block that’s a 2.0 block

[@bluemule3891]

Sorry up side of the spectrum today Blue Mule

[@onecookieboy]

What is it with you guys (In the UK) and Ford Cosworth engines?, they just don't seem to be very good. Here in New Zealand we hardly ever see the Cosworth's, it's all Nissan RB25DET's, most things made by Honda and BMW N54's

[@ornymac]

I want to buy a s54 and put it in my 320

[@jblack5323]

I wouldn’t take my engine to a builder that is clearly interested in making KZbin videos.

[@covak2002]

Crap eco boost engines went through 4 in 5 years of ownership multiple failures got a ford buyback in the end and small claims court win older ST blocks so much better

[@barrybritcher]

Volvo shagged oil cooler i guess

[@bluemule3891]

Because it wasn't a VW or Audi Deutschland Blue Mule

[@F40pete]

Seen head bolt crack the water jacket that’s next to the bolt so using extra boost shows up the weakness in the engine and a loss of water then it’s easy to say it’s the head gasket when it can be the block has a crack these engines are unable to take much boost a poor designed engine like all eco boost engines

[@miked6505]

paint the track car the same as the van and kit car. far more proffefrnal

[@keithrobinson5752]

Foot heavier than brain 🤔

[@andrewsmart2949]

cos the focus is shit,i used to chop them in street races in pertth western australia in a holden VL commodore(vauxhaul where you are) that had the factory fitted nissan RB30 engine LOL

[@stevebgp200]

I normally don’t comment lol, but this looks like ford rs engines are rubbish! Always giving trouble, surely they’re must be a basic formula to give reliability and good bhp, from a lot of the comments you need someone who knows what they are doing when mapping a car. Always entertaining seeing what goes wrong 😅

[@73-carina18]

all your engines blow-up,angry customers,going to court.are there any engines that you build,that are still running?? can you build engines at all? or are these just clickbait?

[@justso1823]

Weakoboost

[@christopherkingston9601]

A prick in a bucket is not a very nice term.

[@djwarren5081]

I guess it depends on the size of the bucket 😊

[@MegaReddevil71]

@@djwarren5081 🤣🤣

[@TamTran-vw7zm]

But, she always told me size didnt matter ...

[@simonm7776]

@@djwarren5081….that’s funny!

[@onenuttybuddy]

Another great video, Lee. When you talk about "checking the map" in the video, please explain this to the Yank what is meant by this phrase. Thanks for the clarification. I hope all of you are well and enjoying this channel as much as I am. Have a day! Mr. Yankey Doodle Dandy

[@robertritchie2860]

Engine mapping: air fuel ratios under all driving conditions

[@bigturboxr3i]

Over fuelling. It doesn't make more power without the extra oxygen. Just washes all the oil away. Broken engine.