Mk2 Ford Focus 1.8 - Pinking

[diddles]

Underneath the blue o2 sensor connector.

[diddles]

Just ordered coolant temp sensor, hopefully fitting it tonight.

[ZetecShearer1987]

Just ordered coolant temp sensor, hopefully fitting it tonight.

let us know if this helps you with your problem. I order one for my 1.6 petrol focus from eurocarparts got delivered went to fit it and my car only takes a push fit temp sensor and the sent me a screw in one. So I never replaced it. So if this cures yours I will try again

[diddles]

I've just fitted the coolant temp sensor and it still pinks slightly, haven't had a chance to check for the juddering, I have my fingers crossed but I'm not betting on it that it's fixed.

When my bg44k comes ill try that and if that doesn't work, in going to live with it, and just drive the car without worrying about silly little things!

[That bloke Richard]

Diddles, thank you for the pictures etc. You have been most helpful.

You get any further?

Mines in for it's MOT today, so will let you know of any outcome on the emissions side of things. I'm almost willing it to fail, so long as the failiure makes sense of the problems!

After this, if nothing is found emissions wise etc then I'm going to go back to basics. I have Bosch Platinum plugs in at the moment, so will change those for NGK plugs (read that these engines don't like Bosh plugs?). If nothing comes from that, I will change all four coils. After that, I'll look at the EGR valve.

After that.... well, I don't know, trade it in I guess or simply live with it until it fails badly. It's a shame, I really like the car otherwise and was hoping to get it to at least 150k.

[diddles]

Well I've got a can of bg44k in the tank at the moment, pinking is very slight, haven't had a chance to drive on the motorway yet.

I'm using tescos momentum 99 ron in the tank and drives much smoother, worth a try with that as it's only a bit more expensive than 95 ron.

[sonic113]

Diddles, thank you for the pictures etc. You have been most helpful.

You get any further?

Mines in for it's MOT today, so will let you know of any outcome on the emissions side of things. I'm almost willing it to fail, so long as the failiure makes sense of the problems!

After this, if nothing is found emissions wise etc then I'm going to go back to basics. I have Bosch Platinum plugs in at the moment, so will change those for NGK plugs (read that these engines don't like Bosh plugs?). If nothing comes from that, I will change all four coils. After that, I'll look at the EGR valve.

After that.... well, I don't know, trade it in I guess or simply live with it until it fails badly. It's a shame, I really like the car otherwise and was hoping to get it to at least 150k.

Its bound to be something simple. Its one of those problems that is fiddly until its resolved and then you'll be shaking your head lol!

Lets us know how your MOT goes on the emission side of this but I would say that it will pass ok.

I think the issue is maybe spark or throttle body related because its as if the pink is a delay in the throttle opening or the burning off of fuel because I definitely don't get the pink when I apply the throttle slowly and let the engine do its job its only when I apply throttle full down especially when its laboring for example on a steep hill say.

I could be wrong but its as if when I demand too much response to fast then the engine has a 1- 2 second delay and it pinks. I have tried different fuels and made no difference so Im thinking that the throttle body is opening in a delay of 1-2 seconds from me inputting on the accelerator or that the fuel is not burning of fast enough so the spark is maybe bot strong enough so in that case maybe a plug gap or coil issue.

another idea I thought of it the ESP. I think that the esp maybe reduces engine torque when in use to stop drive to the front wheels so if the brakes or anything where binding or there was a issue any where there then the engine may think its in a scenario to put the ESP into action and there for may get a slight under power or pink?? I not sure on this one now I just thought about it last night so I plan to turn the ESP off and drive a few journeys just to see if it makes any difference.

I will try to look into it further if I get a chance. Its a great car and a shame as sometimes it can be annoying. But I'm confident that we can find the problem to this as I do think its going to be something very simple that's overlooked lol!

I will Keep You All Posted.

[That bloke Richard]

Thanks Sonic, keep us updated!

Well, the car has failed.

Nothing to do with the problem, just a suspension arm, so getting that fixed. I enquired about emissions and all was OK.

Will get some NGK spark plugs ordered. Looking at EuroCarParts, though if anyone has any reccomendation for specific plugs, just let me know.

I'll start there, leave the gap at 1.3mm and go from there. Seen some second hand coils on eBay so will look at purchasing them if the plugs don't make any difference.

The throttle position sensor keeps cropping up, but I have no experience of that. Could ask the garage when I pick up the car later if they know anything about it. Only problem here is everyone says yes, but then realise that the 1.8 is nothing like the 1.6!!

Just to go over this, diddles seems to have ruled out:
- O2 sensors
- Cleaning of throttle body
- MAP Sensor
- Coolant Sensor

- Retarding the timing

- 99 Ron fuel (pinks less, but still pinks)

I've ruled out:
- MAP sensor
- Cataclean cleaning fluid
- Catalytic Converter (had this properly checked around 3k ago and passed today)
- Emissions issue

- 97/99 Ron fuel (Pinks less, but still pinks and hesitates)

- I also had a new clutch fitted at around 91k, so can eliminate anything to do with that.

[diddles]

Ngk itr6f13 I'm pretty sure are the recommended ones. I had them fitted but changed them out for some Bosch HR 6 DPP 33 V. Both have a 1.3 gap and seem to perform the same.

[That bloke Richard]

Ngk itr6f13 I'm pretty sure are the recommended ones. I had them fitted but changed them out for some Bosch HR 6 DPP 33 V. Both have a 1.3 gap and seem to perform the same.

Oh, that's a shame!

I'll give it a go anyway, simply as it's cheap and at least it's completely ruled them out. Certainly not going to hurt. Plus, it's one of the small number of things I can do myself!!

[That bloke Richard]

Spoke to a mechanic at the garage earlier, though didn't have long as they were shutting.

He guessed, due to my description that it's the knock sensor. He's seen it on a couple of 1.8 mondeos. He suggested ford wouldn't have picked it up and neither would his diagnostic equipment, as the sensor thinks it's working, though it's not working correctly.

Basically, he explained that when the throttle position is changed, the timing is changed by the ECU and this sensor is changing the timing at all times dependant upon the driving. As I get the pinking when slightly increasing the throttle, the knock sensor "isn't keeping up" and therefore, the pinking happens, the knock sensor then detects it and stops it. Basically it's ok until I change the position of the throttle.

He suggested that the hesitation on the motorway could be the same issue, but obviously at that speed I can't hear the pinking.

He's offered to check it over, though I will need to book it in. In reality though he suggested all he can do is change the part and it's pretty much guesswork without codes. but that's his first port of call.

Any thoughts? I'm willing to give it a go if the sensor and labour don't cost too much!!

[diddles]

Yeah, I did think of the knock sensor but its behind the manifold so the manifold has to be taken off. I don't think its to bad to do just time consuming.

[sonic113]

Spoke to a mechanic at the garage earlier, though didn't have long as they were shutting.

He guessed, due to my description that it's the knock sensor. He's seen it on a couple of 1.8 mondeos. He suggested ford wouldn't have picked it up and neither would his diagnostic equipment, as the sensor thinks it's working, though it's not working correctly.

Basically, he explained that when the throttle position is changed, the timing is changed by the ECU and this sensor is changing the timing at all times dependant upon the driving. As I get the pinking when slightly increasing the throttle, the knock sensor "isn't keeping up" and therefore, the pinking happens, the knock sensor then detects it and stops it. Basically it's ok until I change the position of the throttle.

He suggested that the hesitation on the motorway could be the same issue, but obviously at that speed I can't hear the pinking.

He's offered to check it over, though I will need to book it in. In reality though he suggested all he can do is change the part and it's pretty much guesswork without codes. but that's his first port of call.

Any thoughts? I'm willing to give it a go if the sensor and labour don't cost too much!!

Yes that would explain when I said about the feeling of a delay between the throttle position and the throttle body opening. I think it may be worth a look. I do think it could be a bit time consuming to fit but the part itself is not that pricey.

I think it looks like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=ford+focus+1.8+knock+sensor&_from=R40%7CR40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xford+focus+2007+1.8+knock+sensor&_nkw=ford+focus+2007+1.8+knock+sensor&_sacat=0

[diddles]

Hi, just checking in to see if anyone has got any updates on this pinking situation. I've run my tankfull with the bg44k in and it hasn't improved it at all. 99ron improves it slightly but it still pinks. Really annoying now and the engine is normally such a quiet engine untill it gets a little bit of strain on it it sounds like a bag of nails.

Please say someone has fixed this!

[Rtsbasic]

I had similar symptoms develop recently, I read on a US forum about doing a PCM reset, so tried it a few days ago, so far so good (disconnect battery negative, run a jump lead from disconnected and isolated negative plug (not battery terminal) to positive terninal/wiring). Apparently doing that for a few mins drains any capacitors in the loop, causing everything to reset, which doesn't necessarily happen just disconnecting the battery.

Just my 2p, no idea if it will help anyone else, but doesn't cost anything to try!

[ZetecShearer1987]

Hi, just checking in to see if anyone has got any updates on this pinking situation. I've run my tankfull with the bg44k in and it hasn't improved it at all. 99ron improves it slightly but it still pinks. Really annoying now and the engine is normally such a quiet engine untill it gets a little bit of strain on it it sounds like a bag of nails.

Please say someone has fixed this!

for some reason if I have a car full of people I get less of a noisy bag of nails engine.

Mine too is playing up. Found Shell v power improves the situation a bit.

I'm looking at the throttle position sensor and possibly a pcm update with ford if it needs one

[diddles]

Anyone sorted this, mine was really badly pinking today, quite loudly on sharp throttle. Really weird as everything that controls fueling has been replaced. Might have to take it to Ford or a Ford specialist.

[That bloke Richard]

Hi Diddles,

Mine seems to have cured itself. I'm excusively using Tesco 99 RON fuel and haven't had problems now for the last 900 miles or so. All pinking has stopped.

Just before it stopped, I did have very loud "grating" noises everytime I used the accelerator, especially on a hill. Best I can describe the noise was like someone pulling a chain through a wire fence. Thought that was the end of the engine to be honest. Could hear that easily even with the windows shut.

After it did that a few times, and got very worrying, it seemed to cure itself. No longer get pinking or the pulsating / loss of acceleration on hills.

I did replace the coils in the end around 300 miles before the problems stopped, so not sure if that had anything to do with it, but upon changing the coils I didn't notice any difference.

So for me at least, I'm just driving it now and sticking to the Tesco 99 RON stuff. I'm a bit worried about putting 95 RON back in at some point which I'll no doubt have to, but until then, everything seems OK.

This is of course no help to you, and I wish I could help further as you have been so helpful yourself.

The coils cost me £18 off eBay for the four, second user ones if you fancy giving that a go, but I'm not sure that solved it, seems more rather fluke and doesn't make any sense of the horrible noises, unless something was arcing.

[diddles]

That's good! I switched back to 95ron which was a mistake it seems. Going to stay with Tesco 99ron. But would like to get to the bottom of why it's doing it on 95. I'll update if I ever fix it. Thanks for the reply.