Ford Focus 1.6 zetec mk2 - Ford Focus mk2: Problem engaging reverse.

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Tue 21 May 2013 22:19
Ford Focus 1.6 zetec mk2 - Ford Focus mk2: Problem engaging reverse. - dirtyruscoe

Hi,

I bought a 2nd hand mk2 focus from a local ford dealership a couple of weeks ago.

I have noticed that sometimes reverse gear wont engage. it seems to happen about 1 in 7 times, which is about once a day for me.

I took it back to the dealership yesterday and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong with it. they said that the issue was caused when the teeth on the discs dont align properly, and that by tugging on the gearstick a i pull up the clutch, it should just pop into gear. i was told that as mk2 focuse dont have synchromesh for reverse gear, all of them are suceptible to this problem, so i should just 'get used to it'.

I never had any trouble like this with any of the other cars i have driven, so i feel like im being taken for a ride by the dealer.

has anyone else had this problem with a mk2 focus?

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Wed 22 May 2013 08:31
Ford Focus 1.6 zetec mk2 - Ford Focus mk2: Problem engaging reverse. - injection doc
They are correct in what they say , it's caused by a good clutch and the teeth of both gears hitting head on, simply let the clutch back up and down again ! Never force the gear lever.
If the clutch was hanging just a fraction the gears would always be spinning and wouldn't have any problem engaging .
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Wed 22 May 2013 09:30
Ford Focus 1.6 zetec mk2 - Ford Focus mk2: Problem engaging reverse. - TeeCee

Very few cars have synchro on reverse. Back in the day that was an almost-uniquely Lotus thing.

A good trick when it balks is to stick it into 3rd[1] and then into reverse. The sychro cones on the forward gear will move the cogs a bit, allowing reverse to be selected.

I prefer that approach to giving it a bit of clutch and pulling on the lever, as that means engaging while the shafts are being driven, which promotes wear on the engaging surfaces of the gears.

[1] Depends on the 'box, but usually it's 3rd that aligns everything neatly for reverse.

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Wed 22 May 2013 10:15
Ford Focus 1.6 zetec mk2 - Ford Focus mk2: Problem engaging reverse. - Galaxy

If you want to engage reverse and are just starting the car then you can always start it in reverse with the clutch disengaged and the handbrake on.

Did that on my Ford Capri for years!

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Wed 22 May 2013 11:05
Ford Focus 1.6 zetec mk2 - Ford Focus mk2: Problem engaging reverse. - dirtyruscoe

Thank you for your responses.

So, is it normal for my car to be doing this then? If a bought a different one, would I find the same thing happens?

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Wed 22 May 2013 11:30
Ford Focus 1.6 zetec mk2 - Ford Focus mk2: Problem engaging reverse. - TeeCee

I'd say it's entirely normal and the only way to avoid it is to go waaaaay upmarket and find something with synchromesh on reverse.

Every manual having a crash reverse gear I've ever driven would balk occasionally.

You want real fun? Try driving an all crash (i.e. no synchro on any gear) box(!)

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Wed 22 May 2013 12:29
Ford Focus 1.6 zetec mk2 - Ford Focus mk2: Problem engaging reverse. - jc2

Ford's MT75/MTX75 has synchro reverse-that's why you have a lift-up detent on the gear lever to stop you inadvertenly selecting reverse;the B5/iB5 had no synchro on reverse and no detent.

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