Engine Warning Light 55 Plate Focus

[john_05]

Hey, I've had a problem the last day with my 55 plate focus 1.4 engine. The engine management light comes on occasionally and flashes.

The engine seems to struggle a little bit, chugs a bit then seems fine. It seems to do it when low down in revs in some gears, but stops when the revs increase a bit. Feels a little bit like the clutch slipping, but I tried the usual clutch test to see if it would slip when starting off with hand break applied but seems strong and doesn't slip.

Anyone know what the problem could be ??

[john_05]

I have just been out to the car also to check the dash board lights. On the DTC thing, come up with none.

I then had a quick look under the bonnet and I removed a ht lead from a spark plug an it was soaking at the end. I removed the others and they were all the same.

Anyone know what could have caused this? And if this might be what is causing the car problem?

[troy45]

The dashboard test feature only brings up cluster related DTC's, that's why it appears to be clear even though the EML is coming on.

To get the fault codes off the car you'd need to plug kit into the OBD port - I've got a tester off amazon which cost just over a tenner that just lives in the boot of the car.

Have heard that certain versions of Focus engines are prone to getting water into the spark plug wells, could be yours is one of these. Try searching that a bit, and on the car see if you can dry out where the plugs sit plus your HT leads and see if it makes any improvement.

[john_05]

Thanks for your reply, I did a bit of searching on here to see if I could find the problem. An it does seem that earlier mk2 focus have had this problem due to leaking through the washer jets. I've dried up most the water an dried it out more with a hair dryer.

Would it be advisable to change spark plugs an maybe the ht leads. There does seem to be signs on slight corrosion around the bottom of the spark plug. Seems there's been some water in there for awhile, but has only become a problem as its been deep enough to cause a short from the ht lead.

[troy45]

I'd think the plugs should be ok, they're pretty robust. The HT lead cores may have started to corrode inside the insulation as a result of the water getting into them, and this could spread along the leads as time goes on.

Replacing the HT leads would definitely be a good idea, and in truth the plugs don't cost much so better to change them as well to be on the safe side. Just make sure the plug wells are totally dry before you take the current plugs out, saves getting any water into the combustion chambers.

[john_05]

Thanks troy. Today's job finish drying out the water, new plugs ht leads and some better sealed washer jets to stop this hsppeneing again.