1.6 Ti-VCT missing/stumbling below 2k on acceleration

[jmurray01]

Ah, the engine that just cannot seem to run right!! 

As the title says, the issue I'm having is missing/stumbling when you command more than light acceleration below 2,000RPM.  I've replaced the plugs, leads and coil pack, to no avail.  Then it went in for a timing belt and they noticed the de-phaser/variator was worn out (rattling on cold start-up and generally noisy), so at much expense had that part ordered from Ford and replaced.  Great, I thought, now it MUST be fixed!  Got it back and no, still exactly the same (only now quiet on cold start-up).

The only thing I can think that's left to be an issue is the fuel pump, or the "lifetime" fuel filter that the garage advised the car has (when I asked them to change it).  It has 175k on the clock, and I personally would have changed the fuel filter about 4 times by now, so if it is one of those ridiculous "lifetime" filters then I'm not surprised it is restricting flow.  That said, my logic would suggest a fueling issue would be most prevalent at higher RPMs, but in this case anything from 2k-redline is absolutely fine, it's below 2k that it chugs along.

Hoping someone else has had this issue and may be able to shed some light...

[steplce74]

have you used forscan to see if any fault codes are showing, it sounds like a problem with the ti-vct, 

[TomsFocus]

Petrol fuel filters don't really clog.  It's just a mesh bag to stop lumps of sand or leaf going though lol.  Totally different to a diesel filter.

175k on a 1.6 Ti-VCT is a lot though.  I'd suspect wear rather than 'dirt' at that mileage.  Even the injectors might be worn by now.

[DaveT70]

With that much mileage, I'd be investigating the throttle body performance first

Or throttle pedal, if it's fly by wire (can't remember)

[twbro54l]

You're not the only one with this issue. I also have this issue!

changed everything you mentioned too.

 

281k km on the clock.

bugs me down!