Focus 2.0I Zetec Esp Engine Problems

[pontyboy]

Hi, I've got two problems with the engine on my Focus and looking for help and advice. Its a 2.0i Zetec esp petrol with 96000 miles.

First problem is that when starting the engine fires but won't tickover and stalls unless the throttle is slightly depressed, and I need to keep the throttle open slightly even once the engine is warm otherwise the engine cuts out, and when driving it feels like the car is being held back.

However once I have driven the car for about 8 miles I get a sudden burst of power and everything seems fine except that if I come to a stop, the revs flare up dispite having taken my foot off the accelerator. The revs rise to 2500 to 4000 revs, stay there for a few seconds then drop back to a normal idle and everything is then fine. When driving I can take my foot off the accelerator and the engine revs dont drop.

Second problem is that I had a water leak from the thermostat which I had repaired, but when I drove in traffic I had the smell of boiling water coming through the vents. Couldn't see any leaks anywhere, then got stuck behind a tractor going up a very steel hill at 2 mph, so was on and off the throttle. Once I got past and drove for a few miles, I tried to accelerate from traffic lights and the engine started to stall, I dipped the clutch and gave the engine some revs and it kept going, but whenever I changed gear or let the revs drop then tried to accelerate, it would take 2-3 seconds to get any power from the engine, and just didn't have any acceleration.

I nursed it home and left it overnight but when starting all I got was the starter motor spinning. I called the rac who did a compression test and the readings on all cylinders was 4-5 on his gauge.

Would this be the head gasket that has failed or something else?

Also another minor problem is that the fan to blow air into the car only works on the highest position (4) and none of the other positions. Is this a fuse problem.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Rob

[artscot79]

Hi, I've got two problems with the engine on my Focus and looking for help and advice. Its a 2.0i Zetec esp petrol with 96000 miles.

First problem is that when starting the engine fires but won't tickover and stalls unless the throttle is slightly depressed, and I need to keep the throttle open slightly even once the engine is warm otherwise the engine cuts out, and when driving it feels like the car is being held back.

However once I have driven the car for about 8 miles I get a sudden burst of power and everything seems fine except that if I come to a stop, the revs flare up dispite having taken my foot off the accelerator. The revs rise to 2500 to 4000 revs, stay there for a few seconds then drop back to a normal idle and everything is then fine. When driving I can take my foot off the accelerator and the engine revs dont drop.

Second problem is that I had a water leak from the thermostat which I had repaired, but when I drove in traffic I had the smell of boiling water coming through the vents. Couldn't see any leaks anywhere, then got stuck behind a tractor going up a very steel hill at 2 mph, so was on and off the throttle. Once I got past and drove for a few miles, I tried to accelerate from traffic lights and the engine started to stall, I dipped the clutch and gave the engine some revs and it kept going, but whenever I changed gear or let the revs drop then tried to accelerate, it would take 2-3 seconds to get any power from the engine, and just didn't have any acceleration.

I nursed it home and left it overnight but when starting all I got was the starter motor spinning. I called the rac who did a compression test and the readings on all cylinders was 4-5 on his gauge.

Would this be the head gasket that has failed or something else?

Also another minor problem is that the fan to blow air into the car only works on the highest position (4) and none of the other positions. Is this a fuse problem.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Rob

throttle and rev problem likely to be the idle control valve or the throttle position sensor loss of acceleration could be anything from the maf to emission pipe you need it plugged into a diagnostic machine to get the fault codes otherwisse you could spend a fortune buying bits to try and find which ones wrong alternatively do the dash trick as explained on the main page and see if any codes are stored there

[pontyboy]

It was the cam belt tensioner that had failed on my car and caused the belt to jump moving the timing out.

Luckily no damage to the valves or anything else.

Phew

Rob

[artscot79]

It was the cam belt tensioner that had failed on my car and caused the belt to jump moving the timing out.

Luckily no damage to the valves or anything else.

Phew

Rob

very lucky as they usually smash the valves