Hi All

So ive got a focus which I love but its becoming the bane of my life, mainly because my car knowledge is poor therefore fixing issues is more tricky.

Ive recently had to replace the core plugs/freeze plugs as coolant was leaking into the spark plug chamber and causing a missfire.

I have also had the spark plugs changed and no longer seems to be misfiring

but

i now have an issue when I accelerate (normally in lower gears but not always) the car judders and chugs like its about to stall or out of fuel (which it isnt).

Ive used trusty google and it has thrown up a multitude of potential causes shown below

 Dirty Fuel Injectors
Blocked Catalytic Converter
Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor
Bad Fuel Pump or Filter
Dirty Air Filter
Faulty Spark Plugs
Moisture Buildup
Worn Accelerator Cable
Bad Transmission Control Module

My question is, as its unlikely that it is all of the above are causing the issue, how do I diagnose the problem and work out which one is giving me the issue?

Budget is minimal as is experience but I do have friends with diagnostic tools and experience, would that be able to tell me what the problem is even though the engine management light isnt on?

Any advice would be welcome as I can guarantee you know more than I do

Thanks in advance

 

If any of your friends have Ford specific diagnostics, such as Forscan, that may show some hidden faults.  Generic OBD readers are unlikely to show anything without the EML being on.

Coil pack would be my suggestion but that's by no means a sure-fire diagnosis.

Hi Tom,

Thanks I will ask around

If not I guess it'll be a trip to the dealer

1 hour ago, dvince86 said:

Hi Tom,

Thanks I will ask around

If not I guess it'll be a trip to the dealer

If you've got a Smartphone or a laptop, you can get Forscan yourself cheaply.  Costs about £20 for the cable/dongle and the app is free on a windows laptop.  More than pays for itself compared to the dealers £60 diag fee!

Amazing thanks I'll look into it

make sure you buy a code reader which has the ford modification for more functionality on fords. eg from tunnelrat electronics (less then 20 quid) .  .  Forscan for apple/android is about 6 or 7 quid for the app.  Forscan is free for windows laptop. 

you get get the code readers cheaper elsewhere but there is a lot of variation in quality. Tunnelrat has been recommended on this site many many times. I have wireless and usb versions. 

Also, when you say a 'dealer', you should seek out a trusty independent garage. It's a Ford, one of the most common brands in the world, most garages would be able to diagnose a fault without emptying your wallet!