4th Sep 2005, 17:23
The Golf is a "full on" hot hatch. The Fiesta is a warm hatch. You are still totally missing the point.
OK, rust might be common (and that's inexcusable), but I still have never heard of an engine failure on the 1600 Zetec SE engine. It's actually largely a Yamaha developed unit anyway, badged as a Ford.
My in-law's "owned from new" 1998 Polo has a rusting rear wheel arch, so VW aren't immune either.
10th Oct 2006, 18:36
The Zetec S engines is a durable tool designed to give you years of total satisfaction, an even though the Fiesta is not a bullet with this tiny engine, the car as a unit -with the total weight, the 90 hp and the very reasonable torque- offers a nice small car that easily surpasses our firs expectations.
My Fiesta runs well in this city's height and the engine shows no hesitation to devour mountain winding roads, so the steering wheel is also competent.
The front seats are very capable, while the rest of the car could be better, but the package offered here is very complete.
6th Jan 2007, 08:50
Hi, I've had my fiesta s since 2003 and it's been fine. its done 56,000 miles, and I was driving home the other night and my dashboard lights went dim. MY engine died straight away. Now I try to start my car and it turns over, but sounds very faint hearted like somethings missing. Then after 2 or 3 turns my alternator clicks an nothing happens. can any one help me.Jamie.
27th Jun 2007, 10:36
My temperature gauge is going up to the red line and down to the middle again after 20 minutes of driving, and keeps going up and down, but it is not over heating. What's going on?
10th Jul 2007, 14:52
Temperature fluctuations could be a thermostat problem. First check the water's not low!
24th Sep 2007, 06:55
Hi,
Can anyone help, I've had a 06 fiesta zetec for 6 months and in the last month the steering has changed to the point where I don't feel safe in the car. The ford garage have done the tracking three times and say they can't find anything else wrong, but it still doesn't feel safe. The only way I can describe it is it's like driving a roller coaster. Has anyone else experienced this? The cars done 21,000 miles
18th Oct 2007, 17:47
In answer to the guy with the spluttering problem, I've had the same problem too and it is the coil pack. I changed the plugs, plug leads, and fuel filter. Nothing. Then "borrowed" a coil pack from a mondeo and hey presto, cars as good as new. Get a new coil pack and youll be up in no time.
22nd Oct 2007, 15:42
Hi I'm hoping somebody may know the answer to my problem. I have a 9 year old Fiesta LX 1.3,only bought it 2 weeks ago. Sometimes the revs won't come down, as if I still have my foot on the accelerator and the car literally drives itself. It's freaking me out a bit. This is my first car and I am totally clueless. Cheers.
30th Dec 2007, 09:42
I own a '03 Mazda 2 Sport 1600cc which has a Ford Zetec SE engine unit. Therefore no suprise that the coil pack needed replacing at 30000 miles. Loss of power and seeming to run on 3 plugs is the sure sign. Not acceptable really so I got it replaced by dealer under warranty and complained to Mazda.
30th Dec 2007, 13:39
The Zetec-SE engine was co-developed with Yamaha and has considerable Japanese input.
30th Dec 2009, 16:29
Hi, I have a 2001 Zetec S on 75000 miles. I lost all heating through the vents, so I replaced the heat control valve, which is a common problem with this car. That still didn't make any difference, and the engine overheats after about 5 minutes. Is it the thermostat or water pump? I'm not sure coz both the pipes going to my radiator are still stone cold.
6th Sep 2012, 07:08
Try bleeding the radiator. All you have to do is open the radiator valve and keep pouring water into the radiator until all the air has gone out the valve, and there is only water coming out the valve.
O,h I almost forgot, you have to have the engine running while you are doing it LOL.
4th Sep 2005, 02:11
If you are in the owners club (ZSOC?), then have a look at the thread containing 149 names of people with rust on their cars. http://www.zsoc.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7377. I am not the first to experience engine failure either. My car had a full Ford service history and still went wrong. I have no faith in Ford anymore.
When I first drove the car, I'd just passed my driving test, so everything felt fast. Within about a month I got bored of it and wanted something quicker. I dislike having to rev cars to get power. This is why I now drive a modified MK2 Golf GTI 8v with low down grunt and way better build quality than the Fiesta. Had no problems except replacing parts that fail on 15 year old cars (leads, plugs, oil filter, oil, etc). My new car has 128k and is still going strong. I doubt there will be many Fiestas around on that sort of mileage that don't have problems.