Hi.

I have a ford focus 51 reg 1.6 zetec. It has about 127,000 miles on the clock and runs fine. I was on my way back from london last night and the engine management light came on just before I got to oxford services. When I stopped I noticed the engine was making a chugging sound and there was a definate loss of power. When I stopped the car and switched the egnition on the oil pressure light and battery light were on with the engine management light. I checked the oil level and it looked low so I put about 0.5 litres of oil in. I was able to continue my journey but travelled in 4th gear at about 40-45 mph. the car was doing about 2rpm. If I tried to go faster to 50 mph and movinbg into 5th gear the engine management light would start to flash until I slowed down to 40mph again. During all this the temperature remained fine at smack on halfway. It never moved during the whole journey. On the way to london I was doing about 80-85mph and the engine was just under 4,000 prm so all seemed normal. The journey was about 120 miles there and the same back. Any ideas what this is?

Regards

Richard

 

Flashing EML is warning you for misfire(s) that are damaging the expensive cataklytic convertor. Could be an ignition problem (old spark plug, defective coil) or a mixture problem (too lean).

Get the codes read by the dealer or universal with the right equipment.
Then check Long Term Fuel Trim whether or not it is zero. When not search for reason(s) for mixture problem.

 

Hi Thanks for that. Was wondering if it could be coil pack. Can't be spark plugs as only recently had service at 123k. thought it may be HT leads as had similar problem with a KA I had before. Was worried it may be engine problem. Could it maybe be something to do with fuel injectors? I think the CAT is buggered anyway as you can hear a tinkering sound from the exhaust. I think it fell apart a while ago and this trip may well have finished it off.

Thanks

 

A lean mixture can have dozens of reasons. Problems with the injectors (fouled, defective) are just one of the causes. Very common are blocked fuel filter, defective sensor and air leak (inlet and/or exhaust).
Less common problems include mechanical engine problems like damaged valves or less compression. Or uncommon, but not impossible, defective new spark plug.
I would first try to find out whether or not it's a fueling problem before searching for something that's not there.

 

Hi

Thanks for the info. Will let you know what the problem is just incase anyone has the same problem.

I have contacted a friend who is a ford mechanic. His first reaction is its the coil pack but will let him know what you have said.

Thanks for your help

Richard

 

Have you found the problem?

 

Sorry for not replying.

Yes it was diagnosed as oil coming into cylinder 4. We put a brand new spark plug into 4 and took it for a drive round the block, when we came back we checked the plug and it was really dirty and was covered in oil. It was not sparking very well thats why we changed it. Basically the engine had been burning quite alot of oil anyway and was having to be topped up every 250 miles. There was no oil leak and this was obviously where the oil was going. Have got a new focus now about 70k on the clock 04 plate. We are trying to sell the old one for about £350 - £400 as we put 4 new tyres on (£400) and it also had a brand new genuine ford headlight on it which about £100. So if you know anyone!!

Thanks for asking anyway.