nuttyamy

I have a 1.6 zetec ford focus (2001).

 

It had its MOT today and failed on one thing.

 

The exact wording is "offside suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint",

 

The car is booked in to have this rectified on Wednesday but does anyone have any guide prices and how long it would take to do?

 

Thanks

So after weeks of problems with my car it appears all problems were sorted:

new battery, new cat, new spark plugs, new lambda sensor, new expansion tank, new thermostat and most recently new temp sensor.

We have had ALOT of snow over the last day or so as I imagine a few people have.

My Dad went to start my car today (it has sat there since Thursday afternoon it is now Saturday afternoon) and it wouldn't start.

He said it seems like there is no spark although it is turning over.  He took te plugs out and they were all clean and there was no water or moisture on or around them.

Last week what I thought was the final issue was the temp sensor which was fitted by the AA when the car kept cutting out.

I don't want to have to call them out for this problem as well if I don't have to.

Anyone have any suggestions or is literally just the cold?

it's been one thing after another lately and now i just feel  

This is my first ever post and would appreciate any help as I am running out of money trying to resolve this problem and am not in a position to buy a new car.

I have a 2001 focus, 1.6 zetec Automatic.

About 3 weeks ago (after a few weeks of rough idling) the car just would not start when I left work. I got it started but soon it just cut out. I got my Dad out to help, he got it started but then going up hill, the CAT burnt out. We eventually got it back home and have had the following works done:

New CAT fitted, new lambda sensor, new battery, new spark plugs (and I don't know if they are related to this but new expansion tank and new thermostat). Having all this done has fixed the idling problems that I have been having but now the following occurs.

The car will not start unless my foot is flat on the accelerator and it takes a good few seconds to finally start. When it does, the revs go straight up to 3000-4000 (I assume this is because my foot was on the accelerator). I have to wait a minute or two before I can put the car in gear otherwise it either jumps forward or just cuts out again. Most occasions I have to attempt to start the car twice and I am rather concerned that keep doing this, it is going to cause ALOT more damage and flood the engine. Once the car is running, it runs really well and there are no longer idling problems when waiting at lights etc. There is alot of white smoke that appears when the car eventually starts (which I have not noticed before so don't know if it is related or I am being paranoid) which disappears once on the move and it stinks of petrol.

PLEASE PLEASE HELP as I am now too scared to stop anywhere (even to get petrol) in case I cannot start again.

Thanks in advance