f***ing focus

[richy_rich]

Looking at a '99 focus automatic, petrol that runs like shit (if it starts). Symptoms are that it, well, runs like crap 80% of the time - sometimes it will start and idle fine but when you press the loud pedal it'll stutter, almost stall, and carry on idling or maybe slowly pick up - other times it'll spin up ok. Sometimes, it'll just seems to work fine, but temporarily. If you turn it off an on again this can reverse the symptoms i.e. if it's running badly, it'll be ok and vice versa.

The garage looking at it have been responding to the reported fault codes, they've replaced the MAF, checked the oxygen sensor and rail pressure - but apparently these are all OK.

It's possible that it's an ECU issue, hence my involvement. I've checked what I can on the car, put a 'scope on most of the inputs and outs. I found that: crank sensor input seems fine, signals out to the coils seem fine, injectors out look ok. Actually, I'm not sure the ECU is at fault here (but it could be)

Apparently the car has been reporting all sorts of errors, but I managed to get it to a consistent state where it was just reporting P1131 (Lack Of HO2S11 Switches - Sensor Indicates Lean).

Now, the sensor has been checked and seems ok, so I'm guessing something is making it run lean. I also unplugged the sensor with little change in behaviour.

I initially thought fuel problem, but it appeared it had been checked out (rail pressure etc.) what next though? Could it be a dodgy injector/vacuum leak somewhere?

Ideas please This has stumped quite a few people so far (even the local ford dealer has had a look and is interested in the outcome) so if DK can help...

[Meat-Head]

0.

The garage looking at it have been responding to the reported fault codes, they've replaced the MAF, checked the oxygen sensor and rail pressure - but apparently these are all OK.


Apparently the car has been reporting all sorts of errors, but I managed to get it to a consistent state where it was just reporting P1131 (Lack Of HO2S11 Switches - Sensor Indicates Lean).

Now, the sensor has been checked and seems ok, so I'm guessing something is making it run lean. I also unplugged the sensor with little change in behaviour.

I initially thought fuel problem, but it appeared it had been checked out (rail pressure etc.) what next though? Could it be a dodgy injector/vacuum leak somewhere?

Ideas please This has stumped quite a few people so far (even the local ford dealer has had a look and is interested in the outcome) so if DK can help...

1) Stick you willy in the airflow meter see if it stops running

2) Don't ask, just listen and look "Under fanny mold - 'M' shaped pipe split"

3) Had an Hescort - inlet fanny mold ad loose, it moves easily

4) *TRY* a speedo sender - worth it had them before

5) Get the biggest bar you can find and snap off one by one the earth bolts by the battery

6) Battery off/on and whistle dixie

7) Remove throttle body, hold to light, see gap round edge odf buttrefly
clean with thiners - inhale as much as possable, hold to light, reftit.

M-H-M.

[richy_rich]

1) Stick you willy in the airflow meter see if it stops running

Tried disconecting the maf, doesn't seem to make any odds.

2) Don't ask, just listen and look "Under fanny mold - 'M' shaped pipe split"

Seen this before and looked at it, didn't see any obvious splits. Isn't this just a breather? Any other way to check this? e.g. block one end?

3) Had an Hescort - inlet fanny mold ad loose, it moves easily

Possible, will check everything *again* but seemed ok.

4) *TRY* a speedo sender - worth it had them before

Ok, where is this? The car has been stationary the entire time I've looked at it.

5) Get the biggest bar you can find and snap off one by one the earth bolts by the battery

Apparently checked, but worth trying. I'll bring my 'loud hammer' and give them some twats.

6) Battery off/on and whistle dixie

*whistle*

7) Remove throttle body, hold to light, see gap round edge odf buttrefly
clean with thiners - inhale as much as possable, hold to light, reftit.

Good plan. I like the inhaling thinners part, would this really make it run this badly though? It's basically undriveable, not just a little rough.

[Albanais]

Hi mate
Did you replace the fuel filter, check the tank if is proper inside, once i found out inside the a strange mixture, no name to put to it. Have a check, it might be helpful.
Hope this helps, cheers

[Ashraf6119]

Looking at a '99 focus automatic, petrol that runs like shit (if it starts). Symptoms are that it, well, runs like crap 80% of the time - sometimes it will start and idle fine but when you press the loud pedal it'll stutter, almost stall, and carry on idling or maybe slowly pick up - other times it'll spin up ok. Sometimes, it'll just seems to work fine, but temporarily. If you turn it off an on again this can reverse the symptoms i.e. if it's running badly, it'll be ok and vice versa.

The garage looking at it have been responding to the reported fault codes, they've replaced the MAF, checked the oxygen sensor and rail pressure - but apparently these are all OK.

It's possible that it's an ECU issue, hence my involvement. I've checked what I can on the car, put a 'scope on most of the inputs and outs. I found that: crank sensor input seems fine, signals out to the coils seem fine, injectors out look ok. Actually, I'm not sure the ECU is at fault here (but it could be)

Apparently the car has been reporting all sorts of errors, but I managed to get it to a consistent state where it was just reporting P1131 (Lack Of HO2S11 Switches - Sensor Indicates Lean).

Now, the sensor has been checked and seems ok, so I'm guessing something is making it run lean. I also unplugged the sensor with little change in behaviour.

I initially thought fuel problem, but it appeared it had been checked out (rail pressure etc.) what next though? Could it be a dodgy injector/vacuum leak somewhere?

Ideas please This has stumped quite a few people so far (even the local ford dealer has had a look and is interested in the outcome) so if DK can help...

Hello,

Check the Breather pipes for blockage very common.

Hope this helps.

Ash

[Meat-Head]

If you stick your willy in it, to cut off the air see if it stops.

do a search as i'm looking at ~~~~.

Member Cristec (what ever happened to him?) muttered something about PCV valve

Do a search for my thread 'Tips and Tricks' and view Cristec's posts

[hackr]

Trying loosing the exhaust bolt flange and let the exhaust leak see it that make it run better if it does then u have a clog cat

[Fordracer4life]

we have a lot of sticky egr valves cause problems