I have owned my 1.6 100hp Focus Zetec from 28,000 miles. Recently, at 92k it has started a strange stutter, it happens mainly at low revs, seems to go away if I put my foot down.

I have tried a replacement Coil pack (non Ford), new plugs, new HT leads, MAP sensor, not sure what else to try.

Have seen numerous threads about this problem, but they all seem to dry up before they are solved. Anyone got any ideas? (or actually solved it?)

I'm assuming it's not fuel filter or pump, as it doesn't do it under heavy load.

I thought that it was a vacuum pipe, but the garage can't find any leaks. They changed a pipe that was collapsing under load, but that didn't help.

I nearly traded it in for a 2.0 Convertible Focus the other day, but it's too good to give away for trade money.

Help anybody?????

 

 

 

 

 

Many strange things happen I'm now on 102051. Note the timing belt + accessory belts need done on yours if not already done as it's 8 years or 10000 miles which comes first.

This is where a scan tool comes in real handy, if you can make it stutter at an idle you can see what all the sensors are offering up to the ECU.

Did you gap the plugs correctly? Iirc Focus's can be picky beasts over the gap.

Any flashing EML?

11 hours ago, Micro said:

This is where a scan tool comes in real handy, if you can make it stutter at an idle you can see what all the sensors are offering up to the ECU.

Did you gap the plugs correctly? Iirc Focus's can be picky beasts over the gap.

Any flashing EML?

Most MK2s get gapped to the original gapping of 1.3mm when Ford later reduced it (to 1mm I think).

My plugs are gapped to 1mm, not sure whether to try 1.3mm, but I thought that that caused more problems with coil packs. And it doesn't stutter at idle.

On 1/10/2019 at 9:48 PM, greysquirrel said:

My plugs are gapped to 1mm, not sure whether to try 1.3mm, but I thought that that caused more problems with coil packs. And it doesn't stutter at idle.

It does, it's why Ford reduced the recommended spark plug gapping from 1.3mm to 1mm.

It's still doing it, and I'm no closer to a fix. Considering chopping it for a VW EOS....

I went to look at an EOS today (2007 24k on the clock!), liked it, but not enough, a few issues putting me off it. I think it's more that I really like my Focus, if only I could fix this stuttering, then I'd be quite happy to keep it!

Anyone got any more ideas???

check this for a few ideas on why it might be running funny - seems they went a bit mad around this era trying to be far too clever on the engine management ….

 

and this on PCV and engine breather....

throttle bodies known to give issues too....    any fault codes? there's almost NO point in working on modern cars at all until you do a basic check on codes first

Thanks for that, no fault codes at all, had that checked twice now!

Hello,

Sorry to put a spanner in your works but this may be either an Instrument Cluster Fault or BCM water ingress fault, both common on MK2 Focus.

Are there any warning lights on? Especially a Yellow ABS warning?

No warning lights on at all. just the nagging, subtle but annoying "is it there or isn't it?" misfire, hesitation or whatever the hell it is. I keep being tempted by shiny German convertibles, but still like my Focus, so keep finding myself walking away from some very nice motors. If only I could solve this problem....

(Plus I keep reading that the reliability of VAG and BMW is not all that good anyway, and at least my Focus still goes!)