Good morning all.

I attended a fun fair few weeks ago and the car park was full, so me and other cars were directed to a orange dusty barren enclosure.

Ever since then, I have noticed that my 2009 Focus sometimes dies when coming to a stop and all dashboard lights light up , e.g. a giveway line or traffic lights. This is similar to stalling in a manual car, except mine is an auto.

Afterwards, I put the car on Park and then attempt to start the ignition. After a couple of attempts, the engine revives and I can go on my way.

 

I took it to a garage and they could not find any issues. What may be going on here? I do not feel confident driving it on long journeys now.

Check/replace the air filter 

Can I do this on my own?

I am fairly competent with tools. I have seen Youtube videos and the filter is either under the bonnet or next to the Fuse box. Both look different and I am not sure where mine is.

Can the filter be cleaned by placing under tap water like the ones on a bagless hoover?😁  Where can I buy a quick replacement? Halfords?

I am flying out in a couple of days and need one asap rather than ordering over the net and waiting a week for it to arrive.

 

Standard air filters are made of paper, don't get water anywhere near it!  You can blow it out with compressed air if you have access to that.  Otherwise, Halfords or any other car parts shop should have one in stock as it's a common item.  Which engine do you have?  2009 Focus will usually be the cylinder shaped filter, located front right of the engine bay.

The filter near the fusebox inside is the cabin air filter for the interior vents, nothing to do with the engine.

The air filter is a replaceable item on your car, it's not designed to be cleaned or reused (it's mostly made of paper).

It is 100% in the engine bay. Yes you can easily change it your self, you will need a screwdriver. You can buy a replacment at Halfords or any car shop.

The video below will give you a general idea of how to change it.

 

Just to avoid any confusion, this is the cylinder type air filter on Mk2 & 3.  Depends which engine you have.

 

9 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Which engine do you have? 

I believe it is a Duratec.
https://www.rapidcarcheck.co.uk/results/?RegPlate=wf09lyv&SPEC=Yes

Thanks everyone, I will check under the bonnet during lunch.

1 minute ago, OilSheikh said:

I believe it is a Duratec.

Well, that suggests it's a petrol at least...   Which size?

1998cc Petrol

3 minutes ago, unofix said:

1998cc Petrol

Thanks, he added the reg link after I posted.   Pretty sure it'll be the cylinder type but worth double checking!

A note to clarify which side of car LHS/RHS refers to. Most manufacturers define it as sitting in the driver’s seat. Standing in front or behind the car relative to oneself changes , passenger side / driver’s side obviously changes with LHD/RHD. This is why OEMs use ‘driver’s seat’.

19 minutes ago, RL123 said:

A note to clarify which side of car LHS/RHS refers to. Most manufacturers define it as sitting in the driver’s seat. Standing in front or behind the car relative to oneself changes , passenger side / driver’s side obviously changes with LHD/RHD. This is why OEMs use ‘driver’s seat’.

Fair point.  With most parts; suspension, panels, interior, etc - left & right would be taken from the drivers seat position.  But with engine bay parts, I assume they'll be standing in front of the car with the bonnet open, so generally makes it less confusing to swap 'right & left' in that case so it matches what they are looking at.  

Can collect one from Halfords tomorrow.

Can collect one from Euro car parts today but they don't have the 8mm socket! Trying to find this socket in places like Screwfix and Toolstation.

21 minutes ago, OilSheikh said:

Can collect one from Halfords tomorrow.

Can collect one from Euro car parts today but they don't have the 8mm socket! Trying to find this socket in places like Screwfix and Toolstation.

Friendly with any neighbours?  They might have one you can borrow. 

Alternatively, look for small socket sets if you've only been looking for individual ones so far.  I must have at least 5 in different sets!  

30 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Friendly with any neighbours?  They might have one you can borrow. 

Alternatively, look for small socket sets if you've only been looking for individual ones so far.  I must have at least 5 in different sets!  

None of them do DIY work. 😄

Found one in Toolstation.

All sorted guys.

Crosland Air Filter - £12.09 from Euro car parts

Amtech socket set £10.59 also from Euro car parts ( was instore only, could not find this on their website )

The car seems to now purr like a well fed cat.

 

Thank you again. You guys are truly the best.

Pleased we were able to help 😀 👍

TomsFocus - fair point but what if you were standing by the left or right hand front wheel ? .  As a designer, we had to avoid any ambiguity and remove our viewing direction from the discription.