The cars been having a few issues with cold starts in the mornings as some of you know but I'm starting to worry now. It runs fine until the revs reach around 3000 then just seems from there on like its holding back on power. It continues to do this unless I restart the engine which fixes it. Although this happens every time I start the car now, more or less.

Now this scared me the most. Today when starting the car on my lunchbreak, i reversed out of the parking spot and put into first to first to drive off. Well, the revs dipped A LOT when i let the clutch up and as it did that there was a series of 2/3 loud pops/bangs. Almost like backfire, but it was coming from the engine. I tried moving off 2/3 times and it did the same thing. I had to build the revs up higher than usual before i was able to move off properly. The car performs fine apart from those starting issues. This happened once before a month or so ago, I didn't think anything of it at the time.

I know this isn't normal so anyone have any idea what could be wrong? The car has a full service history and is due it's next now in January. It's a 1.6 tivct. I've loved the thing up until now where I've been disheartened quite a bit.

Thanks in advance guys.

Is it a mk3 or mk2

So many things it could be holding back at 3000rpm means the ti vct isn't kicking in theres a lot of reasons why it wont you'll need it hooked up ford diagnostics as it could be any of these below a tell is after switching it off do you hear any clicks from the engine bay there should be a mechanical noise which is the throttle going into start position

Plugs leads or coil pack

Camshaft sensors

Ti vct solenoids front or rear

Ti vct cam worn common issue on mk2 focus

A duff temp sensor

These are the main ones I reckon its either the coil or leads or the ti vct unit is faulty

Since it happens on start ill say ti vct system doesn't mean theres not another issue on top of that you wont diagnose this at home it'll need tested and driven

Since it happens on start ill say ti vct system doesn't mean theres not another issue on top of that you wont diagnose this at home it'll need tested and driven

Wow I hope it's not the tivct system. That can't be cheap to fix. I'll see how it goes over the next few days, might have to book it in for a service/checkup early.

Sent from the pub with a pint in the other hand.

If its the ti vct I wouldn't leave it you'll just cause more damage if it was the ti vct cam yeah around £500 on parts alone new timing belt kit new cam variators oil etc a service isn't what you need it'll need to get hooked up to diagnostics

If its the ti vct I wouldn't leave it you'll just cause more damage if it was the ti vct cam yeah around £500 on parts alone new timing belt kit new cam variators oil etc a service isn't what you need it'll need to get hooked up to diagnostics

I spose for proper diagnosis on the tivct it'll need to go to a ford garage? I wouldn't trust anyone else around this neck of the woods to be honest.

What would I need to say to them? Just mention about getting it on the comp during the service or go specifically for looking at the tivct unit?

Sent from the pub with a pint in the other hand.

Tell them its having starting issues and has an issue where the ti vct isn't kicking in

Tell them its having starting issues and has an issue where the ti vct isn't kicking in

Thanks for your help mate. I'll try and get this sorted and post updates as I go.

Sent from the pub with a pint in the other hand.

Tell them its having starting issues and has an issue where the ti vct isn't kicking in

I read post you made on another topic about the tivct not resetting itself after turning the engine off; no clicking within 30secs. Would that be why the car runs 'holding back' on first start up? Thinking about it now I don't think I've heard those clicks in a while although I haven't been actively listening out for them.

Sent from the pub with a pint in the other hand.