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2000 Ford Focus Engine Problem

  • 02-05-2012 8:03pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭


    2000,Mk1 Focus, 1.4 petrol hatchback, circa 119k

    Recently developed a problem which i initially thought was leakage from the badly rusted exhaust, replaced both the back and centre box but still have the same problem.

    Sounds now like it could be a misfire?

    On idle the engine seems fine, and the RPM needle is rock solid.
    Revving in neutral also sounds fine.
    But under any pressure, like accelerating, a slow, jerking acceleration is given. On cruise runs grand, but going uphill the same happens and will lose power, the needle also drops 50RPM or so before recovering.
    Also fuel consumption has risen significantly.

    I've dropped a bit of injector cleaner in a full tank today and ran it for 50 miles but still have the same problem.

    Oil change, air and oil filters, HT lead change, plugs change all only circa 6k ago (3 months-ish). Any ideas wot could be the problem?

    Plan to pop new plugs in tomorrow, but the old ones look fine. Trying to start at the cheapest option and working up!


Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 13 Andy013


    McWotever wrote: »
    2000,Mk1 Focus, 1.4 petrol hatchback, circa 119k

    Recently developed a problem which i initially thought was leakage from the badly rusted exhaust, replaced both the back and centre box but still have the same problem.

    Sounds now like it could be a misfire?

    On idle the engine seems fine, and the RPM needle is rock solid.
    Revving in neutral also sounds fine.
    But under any pressure, like accelerating, a slow, jerking acceleration is given. On cruise runs grand, but going uphill the same happens and will lose power, the needle also drops 50RPM or so before recovering.
    Also fuel consumption has risen significantly.

    I've dropped a bit of injector cleaner in a full tank today and ran it for 50 miles but still have the same problem.

    Oil change, air and oil filters, HT lead change, plugs change all only circa 6k ago (3 months-ish). Any ideas wot could be the problem?

    Plan to pop new plugs in tomorrow, but the old ones look fine. Trying to start at the cheapest option and working up![/Quotei


    I'd say your problem is the coil . Very Commen to go on the focus.


  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    That has been mentioned to me alright....sounds expensive!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    There are two common causes of misfires on the Focus, failing coilpacks and water getting into the spark plug recesses due to the frost plugs in the cylinder head leaking.

    Pop the plug leads off the plugs and have a look down into the recess to see of there is any water or major rust, in not then a coilpack is likely.


  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    There are two common causes of misfires on the Focus, failing coilpacks and water getting into the spark plug recesses due to the frost plugs in the cylinder head leaking.

    Pop the plug leads off the plugs and have a look down into the recess to see of there is any water or major rust, in not then a coilpack is likely.

    By coilpack do you mean ignition coil?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    McWotever wrote: »
    By coilpack do you mean ignition coil?


    No I mean coilpack;) They are not quite the same thing. A Focus doesn't use an ignition coil.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 13 Andy013


    McWotever wrote: »
    There are two common causes of misfires on the Focus, failing coilpacks and water getting into the spark plug recesses due to the frost plugs in the cylinder head leaking.

    Pop the plug leads off the plugs and have a look down into the recess to see of there is any water or major rust, in not then a coilpack is likely.

    By coilpack do you mean ignition coil?[/Quote

    Yes coil pack is the ignition coil. The frost plugs leaking are on the new shape 05 focus. So you don't have to worry about that. I think the coils are about 160 - 180. Had to get one last year for my car.


  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    Don't say that! LOL

    Looked at micks garage they are saying €40ish.

    Unless the figure you are quoting is supplied and fitted in a garage? Looks like a handy enough DIY job to test and replace.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    Andy013 wrote: »
    McWotever wrote: »

    By coilpack do you mean ignition coil?[/Quote

    Yes coil pack is the ignition coil. The frost plugs leaking are on the new shape 05 focus. So you don't have to worry about that. I think the coils are about 160 - 180. Had to get one last year for my car.


    The same engine was used in the later model Mk1 focus as well with the same problems.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,720 ✭✭✭Hal1


    Get an OEM one if you need it replaced. A spurious coilpack won't last. Speaking from experience here!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    Hal1 wrote: »
    Get an OEM one if you need it replaced. A spurious coilpack won't last. Speaking from experience here!


    Cheap spurios ones don't last. ;)


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  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    Coil pack replaced as were the plugs, and no improvement.

    No corrosion on HT leads.

    Noticed a small leak from the exhaust, from the new joint between the cat and the centre box, ran out of exhaust sealant so still a small leak, that wouldnt cause the problem would it?

    Meant to say that the engine thru a certain range interfered with the radio, which led me to believe it was a HT problem.

    At a loss now, think i'll have to bite the bullet and get a diagnostic ran on it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    McWotever wrote: »
    Coil pack replaced as were the plugs, and no improvement.

    No corrosion on HT leads.

    Noticed a small leak from the exhaust, from the new joint between the cat and the centre box, ran out of exhaust sealant so still a small leak, that wouldnt cause the problem would it?

    Meant to say that the engine thru a certain range interfered with the radio, which led me to believe it was a HT problem.

    At a loss now, think i'll have to bite the bullet and get a diagnostic ran on it.


    Replaced with a new coilpack or second hand?

    If new then use a spray bottle to spray water over the HT leads while the engine is running. If there is a break anywhere you may see the spark coming out of any damaged area.


  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    Brand new. Will try that trick in the mornin.

    Tested both old and new coil pack with a multimeter, both gave the same reading, both outside of the range stated in the Haynes manual.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭George Dalton


    Did you gap the plugs before you fitted them?


  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    Did you gap the plugs before you fitted them?

    Think the days of gapping plugs are long gone. They all come pre gapped, any plugs I've put in to it before have been anyway.
    The last plugs only had 6k on them, so they had 6k of good running, and the new ones are obviously new, with the same result, so I think I can rule out plugs?
    Could be HT lead? But they are new too(6k), and give a good reading across a multimeter, unless there is a small break in them I suppose.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    McWotever wrote: »
    Think the days of gapping plugs are long gone. They all come pre gapped, any plugs I've put in to it before have been anyway.
    The last plugs only had 6k on them, so they had 6k of good running, and the new ones are obviously new, with the same result, so I think I can rule out plugs?
    Could be HT lead? But they are new too(6k), and give a good reading across a multimeter, unless there is a small break in them I suppose.


    Utterly untrue. What made you think the ones you got where pre gapped?


    In most cased the same model and heat range of plug will fit several engines, its the gap of the plug that is engine specific.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭George Dalton


    McWotever wrote: »
    Think the days of gapping plugs are long gone. They all come pre gapped, any plugs I've put in to it before have been anyway.
    The last plugs only had 6k on them, so they had 6k of good running, and the new ones are obviously new, with the same result, so I think I can rule out plugs?
    Could be HT lead? But they are new too(6k), and give a good reading across a multimeter, unless there is a small break in them I suppose.

    I have lost count of the number of times we have seen 1.4 and 1.6 Fords with your symptoms which were cured by simply gapping the plugs ;)


  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    Ah, ok so, obviously been fed bad info.

    I obviously have to measure and possibly re-gap.

    Would new plugs not of solved the situation thou?


  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    In the absense of a tool, i've checked the old plugs against each other and the gap is the same. They came pre-gapped (maybe that's where i picked it up wrong) at 1.3mm, which is the same as ford specs.

    Note: it could of been 1.4mm, but regardless it was the same as ford specs.

    My only really unknown is the HT leads I suppose, maybe there could be a broken wire in one of them?


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭George Dalton


    Gap them to 1mm and see what happens.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    McWotever wrote: »
    In the absense of a tool, i've checked the old plugs against each other and the gap is the same. They came pre-gapped (maybe that's where i picked it up wrong) at 1.3mm, which is the same as ford specs.

    Note: it could of been 1.4mm, but regardless it was the same as ford specs.

    My only really unknown is the HT leads I suppose, maybe there could be a broken wire in one of them?

    Well 1.3 or 1.4 is far to big anyway.


  • Registered Users Posts: 202 ✭✭McWotever


    Point taken, but that is Fords recommendation and I am not in a position to question that. It was 1.3mm by the way.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭George Dalton


    1.3mm is the recommended gap but it is too big in our experience. Try 1mm or even slightly less and see how you get on.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    i beleive it is recomended to change the plug leads when changing the coil pack.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2 vasidave


    I have a 99 focus 1.6 and I have the same problem ... exhaust leaking... no power but in the morning, when engine is cold, everything sense to be ok, until engine warm up... I change the temperature engine sensor etc ...as well... the only thing I didn't change is IGNITION COIL... I'm pissed off...


  • Registered Users Posts: 2 vasidave


    I just change IGNITION COIL , and is running great !!!!!


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