Hi there,

This is my first post so I am hoping that someone can help me out here.

I have a 2001 Focus 1.6 Zetec Estate (Petrol) and have noticed a problem with it over the last 4months or so... Anyway I have noticed that it has become a bit sluggish and seems to have lost a bit of performance. Also once the car is up to temp I can drive along, take foot off accelerator to slow down (for 2-3 secs or so), re-apply accelerator and get a good puff of grey smoke come out the back. I am using what seems to be a lot of oil and my fuel ecomony has worsened (am getting approx 300-320 miles per tank where I used to 360-380). I have recently changed the plugs, air filter and fuel filter. I have done just over 90k miles in the car.

My mechanic thinks that the oil isnt necessarily linked to the loss in power but will put an additive into the engine to help. The main thing he thinks the fuel economy and smoking is down to is the (and this is what he called it) Fuel Idle Valve or also known as the Air Intake Valve (on front of engine just to the right of centre, about 4inches long, 2 bolts - one top and one bottom with an electronic connector on the left side of it).

Does this sound right to you guys???

Thanks,

Aarren

Are you sure that the smoke is definately grey and not blue?

From what you have described it sounds like your engine is burning oil. Worse case scenario is that your piston rings on your engine may be knackered and need replacing. Also the burning oil and smoke may be down to the leaky valve guide seals and they will need replacing too if they are the problem. I would take the car to another garage for a second opinion or a Ford specialist.

Liam

Are you sure that the smoke is definately grey and not blue?

From what you have described it sounds like your engine is burning oil. Worse case scenario is that your piston rings on your engine may be knackered and need replacing. Also the burning oil and smoke may be down to the leaky valve guide seals and they will need replacing too if they are the problem. I would take the car to another garage for a second opinion or a Ford specialist.

Liam

The smoke certainly doesnt look blue... I am using oil mind and the performance has degraded somewhat...

the 'idle control valve' (real name) has nothing to do with your fuel economy. it simply regulates the air intake when the butterfly in the throttle body is closed.

a live data diagnostic test would be the best option i would say. could be anything from a lambda sensor to a maf sensor or it might not even be electrical

the 'idle control valve' (real name) has nothing to do with your fuel economy. it simply regulates the air intake when the butterfly in the throttle body is closed.

a live data diagnostic test would be the best option i would say. could be anything from a lambda sensor to a maf sensor or it might not even be electrical

You are probably right that a diagnostic test would help but I am loathe to pay Ford god-knows-how-much for the pleasure of connecting it up and it taking no more than a few mins just find out the problem. This is why I am on here as the majority of the time places like these are far better than the rip-off merchants working in dealer-based garages...