05 Ford Focus - Loss of Power

jc2008

1.4 2005 Ford Focus (Petrol)

Bought second-hand (from a dealer) couple of weeks ago, was driving fine when I got it - have only done about 300km since.

Tonight noticed engine 'juddering' while accelerating, particularly in 2nd gear.

Later in journey, I slowed down slightly due to red light ahead. It went green so I accelerated in 3rd gear. Car lost power - engine cut out, dashboard lights came on and power-steering gone. Pulled into side of the road. Tried to start engine but it cut out again. Called breakdown assist - he was able to get the car to start and drive (presumably by revving it) but it didn't sound good. Towed it to my house.

What does this sound like? I'm not sure I'd trust it to survive the drive to a garage - are garages able to call out / collect the car? In hindsight I would have got it towed straight to a garage but new to the area (Drumcondra), it was nighttime and wasn't sure where to go.

The dealer I bought it from is in a different town.

NickDunne

A total failure of the coilpack and/or fuel filter just going by the sounds of it. Neither are majorly expensive to replace

martinr5232

Coil pack, spark plugs or plug leads more than likely one or a combination of two of those.

Its possible the spark plug wells are full of water from either the washer jets or leaking coolant from two core plugs in the cylinder head.

endacl

I've the same car, same year, and had exactly the same problem. Fuel pump.

Unfortunately, the new fuel pump did nothing to sort out the fact that the 1.4 petrol is horribly underpowered to start with...

jc2008

Many thanks for the replies, everyone.

For my next (stupid ) question - is the best course of action to ring garages and ask someone to call out to me? Not sure I want to risk trying to drive it.

Charles Babbage

martinr5232 wrote: »

Its possible the spark plug wells are full of water from either the washer jets or leaking coolant from two core plugs in the cylinder head.

I have an 05 Focus, this coolant sloshing around is a common problem. I have had it three times, the last time they practically glued in the core plugs. That said it never cut out on me, just ran rough and lacked power.

jc2008

All - thanks again for the responses, appreciate your help.

Called my insurance breakdown assist this morning also to help get to garage. A mobile mechanic unit was called out - he had a look and said it looked like a coil failure.

He replaced this, but didn't help (still spluttering when it was started). Replaced the spark plugs as well, also didn't help. Engine light still on (coil pack according to his mobile diagnostic tool).

I drove to garage (with him behind me - it had very little power and was struggling when idling) - the original parts were put back and they will take a look.

Still waiting to hear back but it sounds like it might be expensive I was under the impression it was serviced when it was bought a few weeks ago (second hand from a dealer) but the mechanic said the spark-plugs had a small build-up of rust which indicated they weren't replaced recently.

James Forde

Altenator??

jc2008

Hi all - OP here

Latest update - garage reckons it's a problem with ECU.

I understand they are expensive new but garage will get back to me tomorrow re: prices of second-hand ECUs and also price to repair.

From googling - seems like it's not an uncommon Ford issue, although symptoms sometimes differ from what I experienced (e.g. my car seemed to be worse than simply 'limp mode' e.g. sounded like it was running very poorly when started, next to no power when driving).

Anyone have experience with the cost to repair/replace these? And is anything else in the car likely to be damaged as a result?

Special Circumstances

martinr5232 wrote: »

Its possible the spark plug wells are full of water from either the washer jets or leaking coolant from two core plugs in the cylinder head.

Is this mainly a mk2 focus problem?
Sorry to hijack thread slightly.