Ford Focus 2001 - Jumping/Misfiring

audreyp

Hi All

Apologies if there is another thread for this but looking for some advice on my car. I got my car serviced 13 days ago and after the service the car started hiccuping almost. I assumed I was gone mad as my husband never noticed. As the week went by it got much much worse, so much so we had to pull off the road and bring it to the garage we got it serviced in. The garage couldn't find anything which surprised us as it was constant. On the way home the car was really struggling and the engine light came on. Now before the service my car was fine except for the suspension needing drop links and new tyres. I was skidding all over the place but right after the service this started happening. Am I right to question the service. I have googled the issue and a lot of answers were spark plugs or coil packs. The plugs got replaced at the service and the mechanic checked them on Saturday and the coil pack got replaced about 12-18 months ago.

In the last year the following parts have been replaced too.

Lamda Sensor,
Filter Sensor(Can't remember exact name but it was for an issue with losing power)
Timing Belt & Water Pump
Software Update

On the way to the garage this morning, I smelled smoke and the heaters were red hot even though I didn't have any heating on (i didn't want to upset my car!)

The car stutters most in low revs, so doing 40/50K in 3rd/4th gear.

I'd really appreciate any advice!

Thanks!

guil

I'd say air flow meter or else the coil pack. Both are common problems on the focus

kaimera

coil pack.

hamstervision

audreyp wrote: »

...and the coil pack got replaced about 12-18 months ago.

Would the coil pack really go again so soon?

CJhaughey

audreyp wrote: »

Hi All

The plugs got replaced at the service and the mechanic checked them on Saturday and the coil pack got replaced about 12-18 months ago.

On the way to the garage this morning, I smelled smoke and the heaters were red hot even though I didn't have any heating on (i didn't want to upset my car!)

Is there coolant in the car?
There is a black plastic thermostat housing that connects the water hoses to the block that commonly fails.
Check your coolant level to make sure its not low.

Regarding the coil pack, the recommended fix is to replace the plugs, plug leads and coil at the same time with new parts.
Just replacing one can lead to failure of the others shortly afterwards.

audreyp

The leads and coil pack was replaced within a week of each other! How often would those go? Is it normal for them to go so soon?
And should the service have caught it?

Kenny Logins

Was the coil pack a genuine Ford part? I've had a similar problem which I believe is a result of cheap parts (leads and coil). Also check the spark plug area for water, it is also a common fault (leaking in from windscreen jet or frost plugs).

CJhaughey

audreyp wrote: »

The leads and coil pack was replaced within a week of each other! How often would those go? Is it normal for them to go so soon?
And should the service have caught it?

Were the plugs replaced at the same time as the coil/leads?

Think of a service as a snapshot of your car at that moment.
A competent mechanic should be able to spot problems and fix them.
But it's impossible to be on top of every single part that could fail.
Its like saying I had a plumber in to fix the tap and now the immersion has failed, should he have spotted it?

audreyp

Yes I know it could be coincidence but straight after the service it acted up, it is a bit suspicious. It was a full service too and I did get a lot of stuff replaced, bushings, inner drop link tyres. Very disappointed its in such bad shape again. The leads and coil pack was replaced just over a year ago within a few days of each other, at most a week. Thanks for the help/advice.

CJhaughey

audreyp wrote: »

Yes I know it could be coincidence but straight after the service it acted up, it is a bit suspicious. It was a full service too and I did get a lot of stuff replaced, bushings, inner drop link tyres. Very disappointed its in such bad shape again. The leads and coil pack was replaced just over a year ago within a few days of each other, at most a week. Thanks for the help/advice.

The reason I asked if the plugs were replaced at the same time as the coil and leads is that as the plugs wear the gap gets bigger and the load on the coil increases which eventually kills the coil.
The plugs often get siezed in those engines as they have very long thread and the plugs often get left in for extended periods because it is too hard to remove them.