Up until 2011, the Ford Fiesta in its cheaper trims was equipped with the legendary 1.25L engine. This is the Zetec SE series engine also called Duratec after branding changes in 2004. It powered the MK6 and MK7 Ford Fiesta with just a few changes during its production life (1995-2017 years).
In this article, I will tell you more about the 1.25L engine itself and also about the problems it may show at certain mileage. Although this is a very simple and relatively reliable engine, I still have a lot to tell you about its flaws and possible issues that lead to its reduced lifespan.
Also, have a look at other articles on my blog: I’ve written about the newer 1.1L Fiesta engine and also about the 7-speed DCT transmission in the newer models.
Before I start, I want to assure you that I love these engines and I personally had the Fiesta with this engine in Ukraine for over 3 years. This car now belongs to my father-in-law and it’s been in our family for 5 years now covering more than 100,000 kilometers with zero problems.
Yet, let’s look at both sides of the coin.
What should you know about the 1.25L engine in the Fiesta?
This engine is codenamed FUJA but I’m pretty sure Ford used different codes in different markets. This is a very widespread unit and it’s not hard to find proper parts for it in almost any European country. Used parts are sold cheaply in all forums and market platforms, there are cheap aftermarket options, and also OEM parts available.
The engine is 4-cylinder which makes it stand out among other small units in super-mini cars. Basically, this is the 1.6L Sigma engine made by Ford but with a reduced size of cylinders. The technology is just the same.
Here’s what you may want to know about the unit:
- this is the 1.25-liter 4-cylinder engine offering 59 to 79 horsepower depending on the version and up to 114 Nm of torque;
- the engine is all-aluminum, it’s light and tiny;
- the fuel supply system is simple port injection – it causes no problems but is not considered very efficient;
- there are no hydraulic lifters in some earlier versions, the valves should be checked once every 40-60 thousand kilometers;
- the timing system is equipped with the belt – it’s durable and good but has to be replaced on time to avoid serious issues;
- the recommended oil for the 1.25L engine is 5w30, you will need up to 4 liters for regular oil changes;
- these engines were only equipped with the 5-speed manual transmissions – good and reliable, overall;
- the most important advantage is the fuel consumption standing about 8 L/100 km in the city and up to 5 L/100 km on highways.
I agree with the claim that the engine is super-efficient in terms of fuel consumption. I personally got less than 8 liters per 100 km in the city traffic. But the absence of lifters in older models makes the engine a little more expensive to run. Also, the belt is questionable – the 1.3-liter version of the Zetec engine had a chain and it could last almost forever.
These engines were only used in the Fiesta and also the Fusion (European, of course). This engine choice was extremely popular in all European countries and it has been very popular on the market of used cars due to its high quality and low running costs. But I’m here to show you some other sides, too.
How many miles will this engine last?
Well, the 1.25L Fiesta engine is ready to last about 220,000 kilometers or up to 140,000 miles. This may not seem like a lot but we are talking about a tiny unit that offers good torque and doesn’t make you feel like you are driving a vacuum cleaner. So, this is a fair longevity.
What’s more, if you care about the engine, change the oil on time, and buy only good OEM parts for all minor repairs, the engine will most likely last longer than average.
Bad quality of fuel, aggressive driving, and lack of warming up time in the morning, on the contrary, may kill this engine much faster than you think.
Also, you don’t need to worry much about the transmission. Just change the fluid once every 40K miles or 60k kilometers and you’ll be fine. Of course, if you try towing something with this car, you will kill it immediately.
What are the common problems with this engine?
Unfortunately, as with any other technology, the 1.25L engine in the Fiesta has some flaws. I know, this part is the most unpleasant to read for you, but it’s important to know the possible issues to avoid and prevent them.
Here are the most important common problems:
1. Coil and plugs are not durable
Even if you use high-quality fuel, the coils and plugs are not going to last forever. They will most likely die in two years after you buy them new. Also, bad-quality fuel will kill them twice faster than that.
The good thing is that the coils are very simple and affordable. Also, you need just convenient plugs that are cheap and available in any car parts store.
2. Watch out for the timing belt
Ford is known to give extended belt change intervals in all its engines. Some Fiestas with the 1.25 engine have the recommended interval of 120,000 kilometers. This is insane and belts don’t usually last that long. They degrade, get spoiled, and may easily stretch or just break leading to severe problems and literally to the death of the engine.
So, changing the belt once every 40-50 thousand miles or 60-75 thousand kilometers is a good choice. This way, you will save yourself from the need to pay for engine head repairs.
3. Thermostat problems
The Ford Fiesta MK7 doesn’t have the engine temperature gauge on the dash. This is one of the key problems for the longevity of the engine. If it overheats, you won’t even know. And the thermostat in the 1.25L engine is not the most durable.
So, if the thermostat is stuck closed, your engine will not be cooled properly. It will boil very fast and eventually fail. You will know this after the disaster happens. Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for this problem. I strongly recommend using only high-quality antifreeze and regularly checking that the thermostat works.
4. The engine isn’t rebuildable
If your block fails, the engine will need to be replaced. There is no way you can tear it apart, change cheap piston rings, bolt everything back in its place, and drive happily. The 1.25L engine will need proper care to let the block and the head live as long as possible. After it reaches the end of its life, the engine will have to be replaced which is not really cheap.
The good news – there are pretty many offers of used engines from scrapyards all over Europe and the price for a decent unit with relatively low miles is not that high.
5. Emission equipment
After 2008, the 1.25 engine added lifters, became much more efficient, and also added some eco-friendly equipment. The converter is going to ask for some attention at 150,000 kilometers and the oxygen sensor will most likely need replacement even earlier than that.
Although all the emission control equipment is simple, it can cause some problems when you don’t expect them to come.
How can you prolong the life of the 1.25L engine?
The majority of used Fiestas still available with this engine are 2008-2011 MK7 models. They are already pretty old and usually have a lot of miles on them. Although the engine is overall good, you need to pay attention to its mileage when you buy the used Fiesta. Everything over 100K miles or 150K kilometers is considered a lot for this unit.
If you have owned the Fiesta for some time and are sure that the engine is still good, you may keep driving it further at this point. But here’s what you should do to let it live longer without getting deeper into your wallet:
- change oil, filters, and belt kit more often than the manufacturer recommends;
- avoid aggressive driving – these engines aren’t made for any kind of sport;
- don’t shift too early – let this engine rev up higher to avoid overloading it;
- use only high-quality fuel without any experiments;
- use OEM oil and filters as well as other parts for repair.
Also, run an engine inspection once every year or two years. This will help you prevent some minor problems from growing into major issues.
If you own or owned the Fiesta (or Fusion) equipped with the 1.25L engine, please write in the comments below and tell other Ford owners or fans about your experience, the problems you had to deal with, and your verdict on this engine model!
