Ford Focus RS This forum is for discussion of all things pertaining to the Ford Focus RS Range.

ST170 won't rev above 5000rpm under load now fixed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 12, 2010 | 09:53 AM
  #1  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Question ST170 won't rev above 5000rpm under load now fixed

Hi, my ST170 (2003) refuses to rev above 5000rpm when in 1st to 6th. it rises fine to 4,500ish then it just stutters and holds back. It sounds like its running on all 4 cylinders when im idleing so im guessing its not ignition related. Is its likely to be the fuel pump, and if i plugged a code reader in would the car give a code?

Further info
64k on clock
serviced at 59k- planned to service again over easter
runs on shell v-power
no warning lights
has bluefin set up for correct fuel
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2010 | 10:34 AM
  #2  
20fiesta09's Avatar
20fiesta09
Wahay!! I've lost my Virginity!!
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Kilmarnock
Default

duss it rev past 5k when the car is staionary ?
sounds like it could be the fuel pump, it happend on my dads car but hisj ust ran like a bag of shite it wouldnt rev at all but when it was staionary it would rev on too the red. and his was around the same millage too and also he didnt have any warning lights come on.
hope that helps mate
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2010 | 10:37 AM
  #3  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

Yeah when its in neutral it revs fine, but i do feel like abit of a chav reving the engine in the middle of the street
cheers for the input
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2010 | 07:34 PM
  #4  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

also it only seems to happen wen the engines warmed up. Its fine(ish) when cold. What does that mean????
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2010 | 09:59 AM
  #5  
paul xr2's Avatar
paul xr2
I'm Finding My Feet Here Now
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
From: worcester
Default

more likely to be the maf sensor up the spout my 1.8 focus was doing the same until i replaced the maf for a new one
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2010 | 01:12 PM
  #6  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

and now today my car seems better. im down to half a tank and its kind of just slowing down after 5000rpm, rather than hitting an un-passable wall. wierd.

About the MAF sensor, can it just be cleaned or reset?

cheers
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2010 | 01:31 PM
  #7  
Dimitris013's Avatar
Dimitris013
Ford Mondeo ST225
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Russia, Moscow
Default

Maf sensors cant clean up or reset as you say.
You just by a new one.
Anyway my opinion on the problem you have doesn't seem to me like maf sensor.
Good thing to do try one before you buy it...

Last edited by Dimitris013; Mar 13, 2010 at 01:34 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2010 | 10:20 PM
  #8  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

well I carb cleaned the MAF and throttle body and it may be unrelated but the car feels alot better now. It still doesn't feel right though so I think a fuel pump change is needed. I might even treat my car to a sytec uprated fuel pump
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2010 | 05:52 PM
  #9  
Paul_RS's Avatar
Paul_RS
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,886
Likes: 35
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
Default

Mates car had a similar propblem and it turned out to be the fuel pump on his. He only had the problem with less than 1/2 a tank of fuel though.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2010 | 06:02 PM
  #10  
white2lsr's Avatar
white2lsr
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 1
From: cumbria
Default

Originally Posted by TomStarkey
well I carb cleaned the MAF and throttle body and it may be unrelated but the car feels alot better now. It still doesn't feel right though so I think a fuel pump change is needed. I might even treat my car to a sytec uprated fuel pump
have you even had diagniostics on the car

sounds the same as mine and it turned out to be the fpcm
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2010 | 02:04 AM
  #11  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

The cars showing no error codes at all, its booked in for a looking at next week. I'll have to see what happens from there.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2010 | 06:39 AM
  #12  
Iktank's Avatar
Iktank
Virgin
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: S Wales
Default on mime it was the IMRC

had the same - replaced IMRC located on the bulkhead (shiny oblong box)
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2010 | 04:19 PM
  #13  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

So many things that could be wrong with it. Damn these modern cars
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2010 | 11:43 PM
  #14  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

Also if it turns out to be the coil pack or the fuel pump would having uprated ones (actually cheaper???) be bad for the car?
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2010 | 11:47 PM
  #15  
botters's Avatar
botters
competant bodger
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,234
Likes: 23
From: preston
Default

have you checked the oil? when they get really low it can stop the variable valve timing from working causing similar symptoms
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2010 | 11:55 PM
  #16  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

yup the oils good, and the pressure is between 1/2 and 3/4 depending on how fast im going.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 11:20 AM
  #17  
daviddunlop83's Avatar
daviddunlop83
Advanced PassionFord User
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,361
Likes: 2
From: Holywood, N.ireland
Default

Originally Posted by Paul_RS
Mates car had a similar propblem and it turned out to be the fuel pump on his. He only had the problem with less than 1/2 a tank of fuel though.

Mine rev'ed fine, it cut out and then went again at round right right hand corners or round roundabouts with less than 1/2 a tank
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 11:29 AM
  #18  
~nomad~'s Avatar
~nomad~
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by Iktank
had the same - replaced IMRC located on the bulkhead (shiny oblong box)
almost defo this
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 03:22 PM
  #19  
Iktank's Avatar
Iktank
Virgin
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: S Wales
Default

also check the electrics from the IMRC the cable runs under the headlight, there is sometimes a poor connection under there
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 04:07 PM
  #20  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

Just checked the IMRC cables and they both look fine from the outside
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 04:47 PM
  #21  
Iktank's Avatar
Iktank
Virgin
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: S Wales
Default

one othe look in the engine bay, top of the rocker cover drivers side, cables enter here onto the variable valve timing solonoid, check these are ok, had these rub through because a monkey many moons ago who serviced my car and changed the plugs did not run lay the cable back properly, also the plug here can work loose.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 05:01 PM
  #22  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

the protective shief covering the wires looks abit worn, I might get a new one, but the wires all look good. Thanks for the ideas anyway.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 05:13 PM
  #23  
Iktank's Avatar
Iktank
Virgin
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: S Wales
Default

most prob the IMRC control unit, but just make sure the cables are OK, the cables that run under the headlamp cant be seen, give them a gentle tug been known to come apart at this point. sorry cant be of more help.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 05:26 PM
  #24  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

cable feels like its attached to something when I pull it. Was worth a try
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 05:30 PM
  #25  
Iktank's Avatar
Iktank
Virgin
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: S Wales
Default

hope you sort it, if you decide to replace the IMRC valve I think is costs around Ł120, easy to change yourself. take care Tank
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 07:43 PM
  #26  
Albino Deano's Avatar
Albino Deano
FROZEN WHITE FRS No2676
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 501
Likes: 1
From: ALCATRAZ ISLAND, GUERNSEY,C.I
Default

Had the exact problem with mine mate two weeks ago wouldnt rev checked everything turned out to be imrc box on the bulk head common fault with the st cost me new from ford Ł172 runs like a dream now.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 08:21 PM
  #27  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

cheers, I'll make sure the mechanics have a good look at it to see if it definitely is the fault. Can't wait to have her up to full power again.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2010 | 06:32 PM
  #28  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

I will also post back here with my fix and full list of symptoms if I do get it working again, hopefully, fingers crossed.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2010 | 03:37 PM
  #29  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

Well today I changed the coil pack and the car now seems alot better. Im still not convinced that the car issue free but it rev's up to 7000rpm with ease now.

Old Coil




New Coil, in lovely yellow :-(

Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 03:35 PM
  #30  
bamba's Avatar
bamba
Wahay!! I've lost my Virginity!!
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: swadlincote
Default

hi tom.did the coil pack cure the problem you were having.if not have you tried anything else yet
cheers GLYN
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 03:52 PM
  #31  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

Since I changed the coil pack the car seems fine. I 'cleaned' The MAF with carb cleaner on about 1/4 throttle as well but I think it was the coil pack that cured it in the end.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 06:31 PM
  #32  
bamba's Avatar
bamba
Wahay!! I've lost my Virginity!!
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: swadlincote
Default

was that an uprated coil you put on tom.if so where did you get it from and how much did it cost?pm if you'd prefer.
cheers GLYN
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 07:23 PM
  #33  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

Originally Posted by bamba
was that an uprated coil you put on tom.if so where did you get it from and how much did it cost?pm if you'd prefer.
cheers GLYN
Ł75 from PumaBuild, No more expensive than the standard coil, and since that's prone to fail I thought I'd get an uprated one. only problem is that its yellow
Reply
Old May 5, 2010 | 08:12 PM
  #34  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

Fixed - if people have similar problems
Reply
Old May 29, 2012 | 01:42 PM
  #35  
paul 1989's Avatar
paul 1989
Virgin
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: carrick
Default

Originally Posted by TomStarkey
Fixed - if people have similar problems
hi tom my st170 has started playing up it runs perfect till its warmed up then shudders if i try to push it past 5000 rpm then it gradutaully dies and gets worse in traffic and sometimes doesn't let me rev at all then i knock it off for 2 mins then it goes fine again

is that the same sort of problems you had
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 10:07 AM
  #36  
TomStarkey's Avatar
TomStarkey
Thread Starter
Part of the Furniture
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Default

Originally Posted by paul 1989
hi tom my st170 has started playing up it runs perfect till its warmed up then shudders if i try to push it past 5000 rpm then it gradutaully dies and gets worse in traffic and sometimes doesn't let me rev at all then i knock it off for 2 mins then it goes fine again

is that the same sort of problems you had
Massive delayed reply but yes that sounded like how mine was.
Problem is there seems a few things that fix this.

I changed the spark coil and the car was fixed for half a year but then it came back. Changed the fuel pump and it was still iffy, turned out it was the fuel pump sender (or the module what ever its called) the second time.

Both problems only caused issues when the car was warm
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 12:22 PM
  #37  
telf's Avatar
telf
Wahay!! I've lost my Virginity!!
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Larkhall
Default

Found this via google!

Do you have a part number or anything else more definate about the fuel pump sender/module thing?!

Only thing for can come up with is the sender attached to the pump which only controls the level gauge.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sp3no
Technical help Q & A
1
Sep 27, 2015 07:23 PM
Marv888
Restorations, Rebuilds & Projects.
1
Sep 26, 2015 03:44 PM
Russ Payne
Ford Sierra/Sapphire/RS500 Cosworth
1
Sep 25, 2015 08:29 PM
Andypandy260
General Car Related Discussion.
1
Sep 23, 2015 10:28 PM




All times are GMT. The time now is 08:08 PM.