Got a 2008 Petrol 1.8 Titanium Focus Estate, 100k. Serviced 2 months ago. Been fine for 18 months, other than EGR valve which got replaced 12 months ago.

Yesterday I felt the car start juddering (felt like being on a slightly bumpy road surface) after 40 mins on the motorway going steady 70mph. Pulled off down the slip road to a queue at the roundabout, and as I slowed to a stop and put into neutral the rev counter started ocillating wildly between 500-1500 revs, like the car was trying to not let itself stall. Gave it a few revs, traffic started moving and I carried on down A road. But when I stopped at next lights it did the same (not quite as erratic on the revs) but this time it did stall and wouldn't start again, just kept turning over.

I left it a few mins, and tried pumping the accelerator as I turned the ignition and the car started and all seemed well. Maybe a bit of dirt in the fuel, I thought. Carried on via A roads all the way home. After 40 mins the car started juddering again at about 40mph, and when I pulled to a stop at the next lights (a few mins later) it couldn't keep the revs going when stationary, and stalled, wouldn't turn over. I did the same trick with the accellerator/ignition, and all ok. Went another 20 mins and it happened again. Just about made it home by the skin of my teeth, with it happening once more as I slowed to pull into my road.

Anyone had anything similar happen?

Have asked a few mechanically minded friends and they think it's fuel starvation of some description, possibly fuel pump on its way out? Or a sensor on the blink perhpaps?

Any ideas?

 

Anyone please able to make suggestions on this?

Given it only stalls when idle, could it be to do with the Idle Air Control Valve, I wonder?

Sounds more like the coil pack to me.  Resistance increases as they warm up, so they generally get worse during a journey and are ok again when cold.

Don't think there is an idle control valve on this engine.  The throttle body is always held slightly open instead.