Hello folks, I've started to experience something rather scary lately on my 1.4 focus. When I accelerate in 4th gear and push it to 3000rpm or beyond the engine the car's front is feel like wobbling, like the engine is wobbling... And after that when I switch to 5th gear and maintain a 2200-2500rpm the whole shaking remains, you can feel it inside the car. However if I go to 3000rpm and maintain a 110-120km/h pace it stops. Is this normal or it's just because of the small engine? Or maybe the engine mount is tired?

11 hours ago, Heleas03 said:

Hello folks, I've started to experience something rather scary lately on my 1.4 focus. When I accelerate in 4th gear and push it to 3000rpm or beyond the engine the car's front is feel like wobbling, like the engine is wobbling... And after that when I switch to 5th gear and maintain a 2200-2500rpm the whole shaking remains, you can feel it inside the car. However if I go to 3000rpm and maintain a 110-120km/h pace it stops. Is this normal or it's just because of the small engine? Or maybe the engine mount is tired?

Are you sure its related to the engine speed, not the car speed? (Ref out-of-balance wheel or a tyre bulge?)

14 hours ago, Heleas03 said:

maintain a 110-120km/h pace it stops.

I know that Yorkshire has a lot of odd customs but I didn't know they were now using km/h 🤔

Have you got the engine mounts made by Chivers ?

9 hours ago, unofix said:

I know that Yorkshire has a lot of odd customs but I didn't know they were now using km/h 🤔

Have you got the engine mounts made by Chivers ?

I'm from Europe, just couldn't choose it from the list haha

12 hours ago, RMurphy195 said:

Are you sure its related to the engine speed, not the car speed? (Ref out-of-balance wheel or a tyre bulge?)

I had a complete tyre set change back in August last year. However the car did this "shaking" at heavy engine load back then also, and I thought that the old tyres maybe but it certinly does with the new tyres also and they have been balanced ofcourse.

The trick is if I accelerate in a moderate pace the shaking is not there, but if I start to accelerate in a "sporty" mode from 4th gear it starts to shake the car. And I forgot to mention when I go uphill the shaking is more obvious. This is why I thought the engine mount could be the issue.

2 hours ago, Heleas03 said:

I'm from Europe, just couldn't choose it from the list haha

I had a complete tyre set change back in August last year. However the car did this "shaking" at heavy engine load back then also, and I thought that the old tyres maybe but it certinly does with the new tyres also and they have been balanced ofcourse.

The trick is if I accelerate in a moderate pace the shaking is not there, but if I start to accelerate in a "sporty" mode from 4th gear it starts to shake the car. And I forgot to mention when I go uphill the shaking is more obvious. This is why I thought the engine mount could be the issue.

If you think it's a mount get it checked ASAP as it will be putting stress on the other mounts and that is months of abuse they have went through so you will eventually end up having to replace them all. I would first check the lower mount right underneath then the driver side mount if right hand drive/ passenger if left hand drive. The other mount (opposite driver's side requires removing the air box normally sometimes the battery tray to access it. Get somebody to rev the car whilst you check for movement there will be slight movement with the bottom mount but not excessive. Also check the condition of the spark plugs and leads as a misfire can cause a shaking also.

Also check the casing that the mount is attached to. My wife's car completely sheared its' mounts and the engine dropped through all the hydraulic lines, coolant hoses and drive shafts... while she was driving along! Luckily she was ok, but get it checked sooner rather than later.

21 hours ago, F0CUE said:

If you think it's a mount get it checked ASAP

I've arranged an appointment at the official Ford mechanic for March 11th for a wheel alignment/suspension adjustment and I told them to also check the mounts how worn they are.

 

11 hours ago, GazP said:

Also check the casing that the mount is attached to. My wife's car completely sheared its' mounts and the engine dropped through all the hydraulic lines, coolant hoses and drive shafts... while she was driving along! Luckily she was ok, but get it checked sooner rather than later.

I will get back in two weeks and write an update on how it went.

 

Thanks guys for the tips!

Sounds like a misfire under load.

Hello, sorry for the late update. I've been to the local Ford mechanic and they said immediately that the front CV joint is worn, it's a common Focus problem, but when they started to investigate under the car they've found nothing, but remained at their statement to change the front CV joints for 900 pounds... I've told them that then it will remain this way. 

I don't believe that CV joints cause this kind of problem (they didn't even find wear on them), I think it is either the engine mount or missfire or wheel alignment. 

Why I think it might be the Engine Mount?

The car is 16 years old and the mounts were never been replaced before, the engine is small for the car 1.4 petrol for a 1.5 tonn car and it was used for more than 10 years in Austria which means mountains and a lots of struggle for a tiny engine like this.

Why I think it might be Missifre?

I would give it 20% that the spark plugs causing this, because they have been changed 3 years ago and I've put 20 000km into the car since. The car doesn't have any sudden rpm change at any speed. But they can be old enough to cause a missfire under load maybe?!

Why I think it might be the Wheel Alignment?

I've had a complete tyre change last August and the although the wheels have been balanced the wheels haven't get an alignment after that. I would put 40% on this that it is causing this issue.

 

Plus information

The wobbling happens between 60 and 110 km/h and only if you press the gas pedal. When I reach 120km/h the car remains stable. If I'm going uphill the wobble is more obvious and the car remains in this state after the road flattens. 

Well, to prove out the wheels, swap the wheel front to back and see if it disappears 

If you were miss-firing the MIL would be on

Have you checked the shock absorber condition or a broken spring?

Both front shock absorbers were changed 3 months ago because the right was completely dead but this issue was already present.

Will try to find a wheel specialist.

Just an update about the situation: both left and right CV joints were faulty and the mechanic replaced them, so now is as good as new. Not a single shudder.