Ford Focus Engine Malfunction Light (Flashing)

pissednbroke

Have been a long time reader of the forum but first time posting.

The Engine Malfunction Light on my car (1.6 zetec 06 focus) started to flash this morning under acceleration in third gear.

When its idling the car kinda shakes a small bit (idling @ 1200rpm) and under acceleration its lacking power.

I have noticed that over the last few weeks that it has been using more petrol than usual however this may be related to doing more city driving.

I was just wondering if anybody has heard of similar issues or what the issue possibly could be, just for budgeting reasons?

Have it booked in for diagnostics tomorrow.

Thanks

OldmanMondeo

Common problem on the Focus is the coil pack. Get it sorted ASAP. IT went on a Focus we had a few years ago, un-burnt petrol into the cat and burnt that out. Cost nearly €1k to fix. Sounds like your is gone.

Nissan doctor

Very likely to be either the common coilpack failure or the water ingress/freeze plug issues(water in the spark plug recesses) that Foci(?) suffer from.

pissednbroke

How much we looking at lads?

Nissan doctor

pissednbroke wrote: »

How much we looking at lads?

Depends on the seriousness of the problem. A coilpack is reasonably cheap but the freeze plug issue can get very expensive depending on how long its been there.

pissednbroke

Well today is the first time I have experienced it, hopefullly get it sorted this weekend if possible.

Really appreciate it!

pissednbroke

Actually just while I think of it would it be recommended to replace the leads as well as the coil pack at the same time?

Nissan doctor

pissednbroke wrote: »

Actually just while I think of it would it be recommended to replace the leads as well as the coil pack at the same time?

Its not required generally as they would still be in good condition on an 06 car. They should be properly checked though.

I would replace the plugs though as one will be in poor condition from the misfire.

pissednbroke

Thanks Doc!

pissednbroke

Right got an opportunity to have a look at the car today, pulled the leads from the spark plugs and found water inside the recess. :mad:

Just looking for advice on what the best way is to rid the connections of water/debris and also the next steps to get the car back running somewhat normally without costing a fortune?

corktina

best way is to fit new leads I would have thought. New coil pack leads and plugs wont cost a lot and it's a DIY job.

Nissan doctor

pissednbroke wrote: »

Right got an opportunity to have a look at the car today, pulled the leads from the spark plugs and found water inside the recess. :mad:

Just looking for advice on what the best way is to rid the connections of water/debris and also the next steps to get the car back running somewhat normally without costing a fortune?

There are two issues which cause the water to build up in there, leaking washer jets dripping water down into the spark plug recess and the freeze plugs in the cylinder head leaking.

If you clean the water out and spray some WD40 into the HT leads it should give a temporary fix but you'd need to find out where the water is coming from. A piece of plastic or similar tacked over the spark plug recess with a little bit of silicone sealer will eliminate the washers so if it builds up again you know its the freeze plugs that are the issue.

pissednbroke

So after doing some further research on the net last night and after checking the washer jets this morning it turns out the one on the drivers side was leaking onto the engine and the water was then working its way into the spark plug recess. Stupid engine/washer jet set-up if you ask me.

So went off to Ford got some new washer jets and installed them, during installation I dipped the jet gasket in silicone grease to keep water from working down.

Then replaced the spark plugs after cleaning and drying the area thoroughly.
The old spark plugs were in bits.

Started the car and there was no more misfire/engine sluggishness.

Now just have to wait for it to rain overnight and check if the area is still dry tomorrow.

Engine malfunction light is still on so have see what that goes like over the next day or two.

Thanks for all the advice.

Nissan doctor

pissednbroke wrote: »

So after doing some further research on the net last night and after checking the washer jets this morning it turns out the one on the drivers side was leaking onto the engine and the water was then working its way into the spark plug recess. Stupid engine/washer jet set-up if you ask me.

So went off to Ford got some new washer jets and installed them, during installation I dipped the jet gasket in silicone grease to keep water from working down.

Then replaced the spark plugs after cleaning and drying the area thoroughly.
The old spark plugs were in bits.

Started the car and there was no more misfire/engine sluggishness.

Now just have to wait for it to rain overnight and check if the area is still dry tomorrow.

Engine malfunction light is still on so have see what that goes like over the next day or two.

Thanks for all the advice.

Fair play. You will likely have to get the light reset by diagnostic equipment.

pissednbroke

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Fair play. You will likely have to get the light reset by diagnostic equipment.

Yeah the light went off on its own today after driving about 10km, would it be recommended to still bring it in and get the faults looked at?

Also the spark plug recess was as dry as a bone this morning when I checked it so think the fix worked (I hope)

Nissan doctor

pissednbroke wrote: »

Yeah the light went off on its own today after driving about 10km, would it be recommended to still bring it in and get the faults looked at?

Also the spark plug recess was as dry as a bone this morning when I checked it so think the fix worked (I hope)

If its gone off then it should stay off. The fault will still be recorded on the ECU though so you could have it reset during your next service perhaps.

pissednbroke

Will do thanks again doc!

championc

Can I just check - was the light always on or flashing. My light came on today, solid orange.

guil

I had a 05 1.4 petrol that it happened to as well but sometimes the light wouldn't come on at all.

corktina

championc wrote: »

Can I just check - was the light always on or flashing. My light came on today, solid orange.

different symptoms on an old thread. I'd recommend a new thread and as full details as possible