Removing cylinder head: Ford Focus

[@ToolDemos]

Here’s a link to the Focus service manual on eManual online: shrsl.com/47dpj 22% OFF Sitewide Code: TOOLSDEMO22 Expiry: Dec 31st 2023

[@AlanSkilton]

I have today had my no1 cylinder on my ford focus blow out two exhaust valves in one journey and go onto three cylinders , so I can't tell you how happy i am to have come across this series of brilliant and excellent video's. A really good friend of mine is going to loan me a corner of his workshop to keep costs down for me and will keep a watching eye on me and talk me through the head removal and valve hopefully replacement. Fingers crossed ha ha My mate is like you a fantastic mechanic and will now be subscribing to your channel as well and scouring the back catalogue for some more gems. Thanks again Alan.

[@sheikh8980]

Now that there is a car mechanic.

[@ToolDemos]

I appreciate that!

[@Luke-zx4nx]

I’ve been doing more repairs myself recently….but I think I’ve met my match. Time to call the shop 😂

[@ToolDemos]

Very smart. Sometimes people get halfway through a job before they realize they’re in over their head. It makes putting everything back together very difficult.

[@NutsandBoltswithTone]

Great video Steve. Great explanation. When you break valve covers loose hit each side with a dead blow and that helps break out loose. I've seen valve covers get damaged from breaking them loose by pursuing between head and cover. Just a tip. Thank you for sharing.

[@ToolDemos]

Thanks Tony. I get a little hesitant when it comes to plastic. Maybe I could try it with a dead-blow.

[@lovenesssimbeye5878]

Steve, thanks for the excellent vidio, watching from Malawi,central africa

[@ToolDemos]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for reaching out, I appreciate you.

[@bradanesi3998]

Awesome detailed video! Could you provide a manufacturer and part# on that pry tool you mention at 9:09?

[@ToolDemos]

Yeah, made by Metal Magery, it’s a Sheet Metal Skin Pry Bar. Originally used in aviation, but they are great for mechanics. Here’s a link: amzn.to/3R020aU

[@douglasguido6627]

I was removing the head of my duratec engine just to clean the carbon from the top of the pistons and combustion chamber, I gave up after watching this video, a lot of work, following in the search for a fuel additive that is really efficient.

[@ToolDemos]

I don’t blame you, this is s lot of work just for a cleaning. Have a look at Sea Foam, they make a product that you spray into the engine while it’s running. Just follow the instructions on the can. That stuff cuts carbon pretty well.

[@garymcgaw7212]

Great video, helped me out so much. thank you, keep the great work going

[@ToolDemos]

I’m glad it helped.

[@NiclasAsp]

now I am not so eager anymore to fix the car after I have watched this.. 😂

[@ToolDemos]

Yeah, it’s doable, but definitely not the easiest engine to work on.

[@michaelszczys8316]

Cars are not much fun anymore, unless you happen to enjoy stress and trauma.

[@curiosity2314]

The one I had missed, thanks again for the excellent video.

[@ToolDemos]

Really glad it helped.

[@TechMay]

Love the breakdown! Great video

[@ToolDemos]

Thanks May, I’m hoping to help people navigate the video, if they’re looking for something specific.

[@AlanSkilton]

Update on the focus , head removed , two new exhaust seated in and head back on. all done and running well.

[@ToolDemos]

Awesome job! Congratulations 👍

[@TurboTyTy]

Very good attention to detail in this video! Good Job Steve! a lot of plastic on these fords 😑

[@ToolDemos]

Thanks Tyler. Yeah it’s all plastic.

[@1RJW381]

"STEP BY STEP"🏆✅

[@parkpond]

Eoyld be cool to see one on the 2006 ti vct model as the camshaft has phasers would like to see how the phasers are removed and installed so the timing is not off once removed of the camshafts how are thwy lined up again once removed

[@ToolDemos]

There’s another special tool for that engine too.

[@davidfrau4517]

Hey! Good video, just one thing comes to mind. I have a Mazda 6 2004 2.0 104kw, which has basically the same engine. The service manual says to not reuse the head bolts if they are stretched beyond the maximum spec, but no mention you have to get new ones. Do you know where could be the difference? Thanks

[@ToolDemos]

I saw that too but honestly, I didn’t even look at the old ones. I just replaced them with new. They’re not very expensive.

[@clutch5sp989]

Curious....would it be easier to yank the entire engine/trans out? My back ached after a simple thermostat replacement.

[@ToolDemos]

For me, personally the rule is leave it in there unless it has to come out. One trick I use on bigger jobs is lift the car to a comfortable height.

[@clutch5sp989]

@@ToolDemos Welp...it's not the thermostat stuck...going with a new wtr pump & belt. My back aches just looking at it. Really neat video as some would be overwhelmed by the amount of parts/pieces to remember where/how they go...it's the challenge that attracts me. All the plastic & miserable fasteners special this & that's to get it all done and back on the road.

[@ToolDemos]

@@clutch5sp989 oh boy! Good luck.

[@IMPACTRATED]

Great video, i hope the owner goes through with repairs after all your work Lol.

[@ToolDemos]

Thanks. Yup, she gave the okay - videos coming soon!

[@djparker9944]

I know this is a older video but I’m getting ready to do one of these is the crankshaft bolt left or right hand threads?

[@ToolDemos]

Regular ol’ right-handed thread.

[@stephenfare]

Is this the same process for the 2012 focus with the 2.0? Same tools and everything?

[@ToolDemos]

No, that’s a different generation engine.

[@stephenfare]

Oh dang ok! Do you have a video on that one!?

[@ToolDemos]

@@stephenfare not yet.

[@grantjoel6435]

Hi, I'm considering taking this Job on the equivalent Mazda 1.8 engine. I don't have workshop facilities as the car isn't worth taking to a garage for repairs due to it's age but I am mechanically minded and done similar if not as complicated head replacements before. My concern is that bottom pulley bolt. I don't have a really powerful impact gun and I have seen other videos where they have said the bolt is a nightmare to remove as it's so tight. Do you have any thoughts on the best way to remove it other than the one you demonstrated. Also couldn't the exhaust manifold just be pushed back from the head rather than removing it totally ? and the head removed with the inlet manifold still attached ? Thanks Grant

[@ToolDemos]

For that harmonic balancer bolt, if you can enlist the help of a friend to hold that balancer while you loosen the bolt, I think that would work the best. I would use a long half inch ratchet and enough extensions to bring it outside of the wheel well so you can put as much weight on it as you can. As far as the exhaust manifold goes, I’m not sure if it would be able to move far enough to get it off of those studs. It’s worth a try though.

[@biffjunior8995]

What the tool man said, but also! You can also use an old serpentine or fan belt or really any other kind of rubber belt and fashion it around the harmonic balancer and then loop it in the opposite direction around another pulley/bolt/anything nearby and jam an extension, a screwdriver, a bar, anything of the sort you have handy to hold the harmonic balancer still while you break it lose with a socket and a breaker bar.

[@moleracing]

very useful thanks

[@ToolDemos]

Glad it was helpful!

[@beastlychase]

Snapped two 3/8th t55s tonight luckly not the head bolts.. I suppose the 1/2in is much needed

[@ToolDemos]

Yeah, I think so. I tried 3/8” and it didn’t feel right, so I went tho 1/2”.

[@richardr.6030]

Would the damage/leaking be apparent? White smoke etc..

[@ToolDemos]

If your head is warped, it could blow white smoke, but not always. Best to do a block test to make sure.

[@zackavera3922]

what would you recommend if One of the bolts is stripped/stuck?

[@ToolDemos]

There are two ways that I would do it. First hammer, a multi-spline extractor into that bolt and try to turn it out. If that doesn’t work, cut the bolt head off or drill it off and then just lift the cylinder head off of that bolt. Once the head is out, you should be able to spin the bolt out. Edit: use extreme caution when cutting/drilling and don’t touch the cylinder head with the tool. Make sure to clean every speck of metal out of the head & block.

[@AkuPuuhaa]

What is this engine's code? Mine is b4184s11 volvo s40 1,8. Wondering If I could use this video for help.

[@ToolDemos]

It’s the Mazda LF-DE

[@pascalecat]

I am a student on a pretty low budget, and my 2009 Ford focus just hit 190K miles. I noticed it was overheating rapidly and leaking coolant near the front throttle body. No strong signs of a blown head gasket and I couldn’t see any leaks, but I added Blue Devil sealant, replaced the thermostat, and a slightly cracked heater hose. I’ve driven it for about 300 miles since and have noticed no overheating/ leaking! However, I know I am nearing the end of at-home, fixable problems, and the head of my car will soon need to be resurfaced. I’m wondering-is it worth it? My Focus surely is not valued more than the cost of repairs. 😢

[@ToolDemos]

I’m not sure why you want to re-surface the head. Is there a problem with it?

[@pascalecat]

@@ToolDemos To my knowledge, no, but I’ve been told by other “older” Focus owners that the head may go sooner than later. A bit of a worrisome thought, truly-though I’m not a mechanic by any means. Just a biologist who tries to figure things out! Perhaps I’m overthinking it.

[@ToolDemos]

@@pascalecat gotcha. My recommendation is to drive your car and don’t sweat it. Machining a cylinder head is not preventative maintenance.

[@pascalecat]

@@ToolDemos appreciate it! :) Happy New Year!

[@johnschuler3269]

OMG ... Talk about "OVERWHELMING" ... One wonders ... was that old FORD really worth it? ... Your patience and knowledge are beyond impressive! Ditto, your copious amount of COURAGE! Looks like this was BEFORE you moved to Florida. That FORD would DEFINITELY be junked if the only alternative was a dealer @ ~ $120+ per hour ... with parts @ 4:1 or more mark-up beyond RockAuto pricing. Even an independent shop @ perhaps $100 per hour and 2X markup on parts ... is still problematic ... e.g. competence and trust are in short supply these days! As a DIYer on my own cars, I am often curious how many hours are "allotted" by the "Book" for various jobs. Best to all, John in the NW

[@ToolDemos]

Hi John, thanks. That would be a tough pill to swallow at the dealership, for sure. A great way to know what they’d charge is go right to the source. You can buy a short (3 day) subscription to Ford’s service information. Same info they use, it gives all the technical details of a repair, “book time” to do each job and lots more. Only about 20 bucks or so.

[@goodday126]

Last year my mechanic sent out my 2011 Escape 2.5 head to a shop ($700 for that work). 27k miles later, the Cyl 1 valve lash is .0015, instead of the normal .013. So now I'm doing this year's head job by myself. Why not just order a good quality remanufactured head? Also thank you for the awesome videos.

[@ToolDemos]

Was it ticking pretty loud?

[@goodday126]

@@ToolDemos Original problem? I don't think so. Ran super rough. It passed compression but failed leakdown badly, audible in the tailpipe after the engine was shut off. This time, the car starts off cold ok, but after driving 1 mile, it runs rough. Then after another couple of minutes it smooths out. It took a long time for the p0301 to pop up and display the check engine light. My original mechanic (the head replacement) misdiagnosed it as a coil after leaving it with him for 2 months. The dealer also did. Shop#3 figured it out in 1.5 hours. So now I'm not very excited about dropping another $4,000 on head work. The weird part is, Cyl 1 PASSES leakdown 0% loss, so when cold it still seems to close fine. I'm seriously considering starting with the valve lash adjustment, which I have done previously on motorcycles.

[@ToolDemos]

@@goodday126 what did shop #3 say was the cause?

[@goodday126]

@@ToolDemos He said it's either valve tuliping, or the valve is sinking into the seat, or both. He didn't notate the other clearances for me during the diagnosis. This afternoon I checked the clearances. On Cyl1, one exhaust valve is about .04mm (.0015 inch), spec is .27mm to .33mm. The other Cyl 1 exhaust valve is .21mm. All of the other exhaust valves are out, between .21mm and .24mm, except for one that is .27mm. Intake isn't doing much better, spec is .22mm - .28mm, all of them are .21mm -.22mm, except one that is .24mm. So I'm strongly suspecting that whoever set these at the machine shop cut corners, and it wasn't checked when the mechanic got it back. Since Cyl 1 passes leakdown, I'm also wondering if that single tight Cyl 1 valve was just done wrong. If this was your car, would you try fixing the clearances first, or just swap out the 2x loser head?

[@ToolDemos]

@@goodday126 wow, that sucks. I’d try to warranty the work from original shop. If they don’t help, I’d try adjusting valves before I tear the head off again.

[@dealerauctionnightmare4689]

Absolutely insane that Ford didn't key the crank gear. I worked on a '13 Fiesta and it was the same way.

[@ToolDemos]

Agreed

[@micmike]

Nice, but seems you need a number of specialty tools to successfully remove the head and return it

[@puregsr]

I had a 2002 Ford Focus and it was a pain to work on. Like, why would you put a random torx bolt in the midst of hex bolts where you can't see? Why was the AC stuff hidden in the wheel well? Why did I have to use a ratcheting strap to move the engine forward just to get my alternator out? Never owned another Ford after that since it really aged me whenever I wrenched on it.

[@ToolDemos]

Amen! Getting it back together was complicated too.

[@jesusagarza9644]

I wish I could take my ford focus 2007 to you since you have already worked on someone car just like mine it's hard to find a good mechanic here in Houston TX I had my radiator replace and some other parts and now my power steering is leaking and just today I see the antifreeze is leaking from underneath the on the left side driver I have already spent to much on my car I can't afford a brand new car either I'm a single grandmother and I wish my car would run just like when I first bought brand new I love my car. I greatly appreciate it if you have any advice Thank you so much in advance.

[@ToolDemos]

Hello Jesusa, sounds very frustrating. I think a shop that replaces a radiator should stand behind their repair. If the leak is from the radiator area, they should fix it for you. This is especially true if they gave you a warranty. The power steering leak is not a difficult repair. If you are still comfortable with the original shop, ask them for a quote to fix that. Otherwise, that leak would be a good test case for a new shop that you find. I know good shops can be hard to find, I’d recommend finding one with good reviews or ask a friend for a referral.

[@puregsr]

You mind telling us where your shop is located?

[@ToolDemos]

We’re in a small town near Spokane, Wa

[@puregsr]

@@ToolDemos I'm in Western WA and knowing that your shop is near, but not near enough, makes me happy and disappointed at the same time. Anyway, you deserve way more subscribers! Any content on Toyota Matrix/Corolla (I own an XRS with over 300K miles) would be awesome.

[@ToolDemos]

@@puregsr that’s awesome! So at least you understand socks-n-sandals 😂 As far as Corollas go, you’ll see an A/C repair on it before summer. See you then.

[@nathanielhoffensetz3609]

What kind of head gasket is it

[@ToolDemos]

MLS.

[@dustinscharf2589]

what all tools do i need for this job?

[@ToolDemos]

Other than your standard handtools, you’ll need a 1/2” drive T55 torx socket, an engine timing tool kit, a crankshaft pulley holder tool, a new crank sensor, and a 1/2” drive torque wrench. Power tools are also very helpful.

[@minacapella8319]

So wait. The power steering pump caused head issues? O.o

[@ToolDemos]

Yes the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt which came off because of the power steering pump. The engine overheated.

[@minacapella8319]

@@ToolDemos that makes me even more worried ill have to replace my head gasket or something before long as my power steering has been screwy for a bit and I've been trying to get it into the mechanic for a bit. But it's been keeping heat pretty regularly since I got the water pump and thermostat replaced when I suddenly got overheating issues this past winter due to a coolant leak that started.

[@ToolDemos]

@@minacapella8319 I have two tips for you: first make sure that the power steering reservoir has enough fluid in it. If you have a leak keep checking it once a week. If you’re driving your car and you do end up losing the serpentine belt, shut off the engine as soon as you can safely.

[@BrysonPfeiffer]

can you do mine

[@viperexpress305]

It's time for the bone yard. Too much work ! 🤯

[@leadmetorainbows5983]

great video guy

[@ToolDemos]

Thanks!

[@richardr.6030]

Hello Steve this job looks like a mf'er I would like to know how long will it take driving a Focus without coolant to have this much warpage happen?

[@ToolDemos]

Honestly, this head wasn’t all that bad, it was cupped in the center about .003”. The worst part was the leaky valves, but that had nothing to do with the over-heat. To answer your question, this car was driven for about 5 minutes without water. The longer you drive, the hotter and worse it can get.

[@First.nameLastname]

Lol. Just because the install bolt ordet matters doesnt mean the removal needs a bolt order.

[@aamonsterbear989]

So, in other words, don’t do it, just trade in the car. 😂

[@ToolDemos]

Lol

[@maddog9793]

2007 Ford Focus?? Bro we're in 2023 lol🤦

[@ToolDemos]

I haven’t replaced any head gaskets on 2023 cars.

[@NinnyPoo_theJoy]

I have a 2002 FF ZTW and I’m about to set it on fire. Every mechanic finds a new problem with tires and brakes but never what’s actually wrong, check engine light is left alone and bam $200 bucks for nothing to be fixed or known! 😅😅☠️👻💩💩💩💩

[@ToolDemos]

That sounds frustrating!

[@NinnyPoo_theJoy]

@@ToolDemos absolutely! Lol I just need the light to go off for 10 minutes so I can pass a smog test 😅😂🤣

[@leadmetorainbows5983]

i was looking up a transfer punch set all the punches i found just have the same sharp point how would you utilze it for marking

[@ToolDemos]

If you just have a sharp point, you could make a dot code. Like one dot for 1, two dots for 2 etc.

[@leadmetorainbows5983]

pro tip; if your idler pully bolt was a bastard to get off jack up the engine and undo the motor mount fully and then jack it up more to be able to get better tools on it.

[@ToolDemos]

Good tip.

[@leadmetorainbows5983]

i love you

[@leadmetorainbows5983]

remember to disconect your battery people