Pegasus

Hiya

I have a 01 focus that is really lumpy when starting cold.

The problem started that it was running rough all the time so gave the car a service, new plugs oil change and filter. Still running rough so replaced the coil pack. This stopped the running lumpy when warm, but is still lumpy when cold. I had the exhaust replaced front to back after the problem started as was original and had seen better days. Took it to my local motosave to have the warning light code read and they came back misfire on cylinder 3. they gave me the speel about coil packs on the focus and told them had just replaced so put it down to an air leak after 3 of them looking over the car for half hour. Next day disconnected the HT leads to check they where all sparking when cold,started her up and all seemed fine. Replaced the leads and the engine light had gone out and she ran fine for the following 2 days., but has now started to run rough again when cold. Could this be the HT leads which are faulty even though they look ok?

Any help Very very much appreciated as im at a loss.

Cheers
Lee

tabetha

HT leads can certainly do this yes, will normally be worse when wet weather, or dewy morning.
The KERR NELSON leads work particularly well on these, used these myself, you didn't use bosch plugs did you ?
tabetha

Pegasus

Hi

Yeah i replaced the plugs with the Bosch super 4's. On the previous service i put the Bosch plugs in and there were fine. The lumpyness has only started happening since the weather dropped a little colder. Think ill replace the HT leads and hope it solves the issue.

Lee

tabetha

I would replace the plugs first with geniune ford or NGK/Champion ones.
I have seen so many of these engines with bosch plugs leaking, look around the ceramic, and see if there are streak marks up the porcelain, if there are bin them, I've had it myself 2 plugs out of 4 within 100 miles started leaking.
tabetha

Pegasus

Thanks for the advice. Ill pop my old motorcraft ones in see if the symptoms go away, if so ill go get some new ones.

cheers
Lee

tabetha

No probs LEE, hope you get it sorted and welcome to the site.
tabetha

Pegasus

Old plugs back in and still no difference. There is a whistling when revved sounds like coming from egr is this normal? or is it a leak that could be causing the issue. Also noticed when replaced the plugs that it was running a little rich, im guessing this could be caused by a leak?

Cheers
Lee

phatfordxr4i

try cylinder head temp switch it is where the plugs are should be another two wire loom going into the plug holes sounds like thats your problem apart from that you will need to get it on ids to check live data

Pegasus

After replacing the plugs the engine light went out after a day or two!!! Has been running good since still a little hesitant when cold but not sure if thats vibration from exhaust will have to go get this looked at. Then last night on way home from friends engine light back on!!! Darn it!! Time to get the WD40 out and see if i can find any air leaks. Ive been told i should hear a change in engine noise when sprayed on a pipe with a leak.

Will let you all know what i find so hopefully this will help anyone with similar issues.

Lee

crazyshad1

you might find that you need a new cat. i had a focus 2.0 esp that developed a misfire and the engine light came on. i cleared the fault and changed the spark plugs. the misfire was cured but couple of days later the light came back on. plugged it back in at it basically told me the cat was shagged because of the fuel that had gone through the cat from the misfire.