Car has been playing up for past couple days and today got very bad. it will struggle to start and seems to need a jump start from another car to get going sometimes manages it itself. It idles fine but under any load will cut out. hesitating and spluttering while running. go round a corner and it will very nearly cut out or die either way no power at all. if i get the car running and put my foot down it will rev ok but no increase in speed at all

It's a ford focus 1.6 auto and the fault code is P0171 it's in the garage now having a live feed to get a better idea of whats what but thought i would see how smart you guys are and what ur thoughts are.

 

Code 0171 is a generic one for running too lean. Probably an air leak.

 

hoping it is just an air leak but guessing my luck it's doubtful

 

MAF sensor or air leak after MAF

 

i read somewhere u can test the maf sensor but i couldn't remember at the time. So i unplugged it and tried starting it but with no difference at all. is there a test to see if it is at fault?

 

had ecact same symptoms on a focus at work it turned out to be the plastic manifold had a crack in it, i was spraying brake cleaner around the manifold to see if the revs would rise to show an air leak and it would not but on removing the manifold i saw it had a very fine crack underneath fitted a new manifold and it was perfect hope this helps