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AND SO ENDS THE FOCUS

A

amdforever2

Golden Member
Well, maybe.

Recently my car is having some serious health issues.

The condition occurred suddenly. One day everything was fine, the next, chaos.

First, it would go away after the car was running for 30 mins or so.

Now, it's constant.

The car idles very rough. In drive, it's even worse. The car has almost no power and has trouble breaking 50. If a downhill stretch gets me at 70 or so it can maintain that speed, but barely. Power is inconsistent to say the least. I can smell exhaust everywhere.

The check engine computer diagnoses the following:

Manufacturer Emissions Control blah blah blah
Cylinder 2 misfire
Cylinder 3 misfire


I would be inclined to say tune-up, except it all occurred so suddenly.

I'm leaving towards failed catalytic convertor. No power, smell of exhaust leak?

It's a 4 cylinder of course, automatic, 150k miles.


Thoughts?
 
Okay if its an SPI engine or a Zetech engine (most likely its an SPI) the problem you got is teh damn valves are not closing. I had to have a valve job to get it fixed. It cost me 1000 but through a private mechanic, the dealer wanted 2500.

Anyway the problem is that the valve doesnt close.. and the system will do this. I saw this problem crop up after my 120K mile major service. I just had it done abotu 3-4K miles ago and its running sooo good!

AIM me or PM me for further info..
 
It's probably a sensor. Take it to a reputable garage (not a dealer unless you like to pay a lot and wait a week).
 
..did some one stuff a potato up yer tail pipe?? Go see if there's a tuber in your pipes.
 
amdforever2 - its the exact same problem.. trust me i took a lot of care tryign to figure it out. Its not a catalyst issue.. trust me on this.

This is a MAJOR issue. If you want call me in the morning. I will PM you my number and i will walk you through stuff.
 
I had something happen to my Jimmy that was quite similar.....cylinder misfire per the OBDII, loss of power, etc., and it happened very suddenly.....one day fine, next day....BANG!!! Horrible!!

I was deep into thinking clogged cat, bad sensors, and such......but turned out to be a fouled/bad spark plug. ( I didn't zone in on the spark plugs initially because they had around 25-30K on them and were supposed to last a lot longer.....but that's what I get for using cheapie Bosch Plats.) Changed out the complete set of plugs and the problem has never come back.
 
oh dear

major is not good

🙁

im about to pass out asleep but ill go look at the engine when i wake up


im still praying for something simple

🙁
 
Could be an O2 sensor or MAF failure, too, but others have had the same issue and it was more serious so I would just get it checked if I was you.
 
If your car hasnt had a tune up in a very long time, or never, it could still be this. Always start with the simple easy stuff first, take a plug or two out or just change all 4 they dont cost no more then $2 per plug if you get copper plugs and you can do it yourself.

If this takes care of the problem it cost you $8 and 1 hour of your time. If not go over and check that valve this the other guy mentioned and see if he has a way to test for that. But for C sakes start simple then more to Sh1t, OH dear god, its gonna cost me teh moneys.

The fact you say if happened suddenly, but after 30 minutes the car would run fine, but now runs like sh1t all the time leads me to believe is will be 99% tune up related be it just plugs or coil pack/wires issue. But pull a plug, HERE is a handy, dandy guide to help you and show you what a normal plug looks like, and some totally messed up ones and causes look like.
 
Originally posted by: amdforever2
Any chance this is catalyst or a simple tune up issue?
Click to expand...

Heck no. Cylinders are misfiring. How can a catalytic converter have anything to do with this, unless it somehow got completely, completely blocked up? You wouldn't have this situation even if the catalytic converter fell off the car!
 
1. Replace Spark Plugs, Plug Wires, distributor cap and rotor
2. Check O2 Sensor
3. Clean or replace fuel injectors
4. Spray throttle-body cleaner and degrease the assembly

Edit: Also be sure to check your battery. A failing battery can cause your computer to do all kinds of funky things to your car if it is drawing too much current from your alternator. If your battery is approaching 5 years and hasn't been replaced, you might as well rule this out too.
 
Originally posted by: ch33zw1z
I had a similar issue on my 2000 Focus. Spark plug cables went bad so causing pistons to misfire.
Click to expand...

It certainly sounds like a bad coil, plugs, or wires.
 
Does this engine have a timing belt?? if so, when was it last changed?? if the belt slipped
even one tooth the engine wont run right. Might want to check for vacuum leaks as well.
But like others have said try the simplest stuff first, plugs and wires are cheap..
 
Originally posted by: ch33zw1z
I had a similar issue on my 2000 Focus. Spark plug cables went bad so causing pistons to misfire.
Click to expand...

Pistons dont fire or misfire. Spark plugs do. Does this car have COP?
 
It's badly fouled plugs, or something related to (like coilpacks, etc.). Simple tune-up issue. Probably the plugs though, as you said that initially it would go away after 30 minutes of driving.

Reading this thread made me realize why people think American cars are unreliable. You don't maintain them properly.
 
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