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2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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AZsteve
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Oct 26, 2013, 10:35 PM
Post #1 of 10
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2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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2000 Ford Focus SE 2.0L Split Port with 129,000 miles. Daughter drove it yesterday, took it on the freeway but for whatever reason I don't think it was in drive but a lower gear. Based on my translation of her description it ran at a very high rpm for about a mile (loud and much vibration). She pulled off the freeway and shut it down. I came to check it - all fluid levels were good, no leaks, so I started it. Fired right up, ran smooth as normal with normal oil pressure, but a very loud knock - sounded like it was coming from the engine. It did not overheat. At the time I thought the knock was coming from the lower portion of the engine, in the area of #1 or 2 cylinder, front. Got it home and let it cool completely. Started it again to try and find source of knock - it was much, much quieter but still there. I used a long wooden dowell to try and pinpoint the source of the noise but was unsuccessful (I have used this method often in the past with much success), I can not determine where it is coming from although I can still hear it. I don't want to run it anymore and risk further damage, not sure where to go from here. Based on my research today I do know this engine is prone to dropping valve seats, would that cause a knock while still running smooth? My initial thought when I first heard it was a rod, but in all of my listening through my wooden rod at the engine block, oil pan, valve cover, transmission...... I can not pinpoint the source. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
(This post was edited by AZsteve on Oct 26, 2013, 10:36 PM)
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AZsteve
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Oct 26, 2013, 10:42 PM
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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Also I should note - I pulled the spark plugs to try and look into the cylinders, but I can't see well enough to determine whether a valve seat has dropped or not. Does anyone know of a way - short of buying a $100+ camera or pulling the head - to see into the cylinders to determine whether a seat has dropped? Are those pieces magnetic? could I fish around in the cylinders through the spark plug hole to see if I can catch any pieces? I'm poor, but very experienced at repairs......
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 27, 2013, 5:39 AM
Post #3 of 10
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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I'd say it most likely is a rod knock and the motor is probably junk. You may ne able to pinpoint the cylinder by killing the spark to each cylinder one at a time and listen for a change in the noise.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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AZsteve
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Oct 27, 2013, 9:31 AM
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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Hammer Time, thank you for your reply. My initial thought also was that it was a rod. Sadly I don't have the luxury of replacing the engine, just simply don't have the money. Is it possible on this particular car just to drop the oil pan and replace the bad bearing?
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Discretesignals
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Oct 27, 2013, 9:43 AM
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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Depends on which bearing. If it is a rod bearing you might be able to change it, but you have to wonder what other damage there is besides the bearing. If it is a main bearing, you'll need to drop the crank and that entails more than just removing the oil pan. Not only that, but you have to wonder what caused it. If you don't figure out the cause and resolve that, you'll end up in the same boat if you just replace a bearing.
Either way you go, your going to have to do some exploratory surgery to find out what is going on and to find out what it needs.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 27, 2013, 9:45 AM)
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Hammer Time
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Oct 27, 2013, 9:43 AM
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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Oh no, A sudden failure like that means it spun the bearing which would also have taken out the crankshaft.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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AZsteve
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Oct 27, 2013, 5:00 PM
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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I know what the cause was, and described it in my original post. Daughter ran it at high rpm for about a mile. It has been driven about 5 miles since that happened, at very slow speed / low load. I respect Hammer Time's opinion, however I am not in a position to just write off the motor as junk. In the morning I plan to drain the oil (thru a fine screen to inspect for metal pieces), drop the oil pan and pull the rod caps. If it is a spun rod bearing as both he and I suspect, I can't imagine it has done so much damage that the crankshaft would need to be replaced. I'll keep you all posted on my findings tomorrow, and I really appreciate any input. Thanks!
(This post was edited by AZsteve on Oct 27, 2013, 5:12 PM)
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AZsteve
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Oct 29, 2013, 8:28 PM
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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I drained the oil and removed the filter. Ran all oil thru a filter, no evidence of metal parts in the oil. Did a compression test on all 4 cylinders - all were between 76 - 79 psi. Seemed low to me (it was a cold test - don't want to run it until I pinpoint the cause), but I was relieved to see that there was not a cylinder much lower than the rest. I assume this means it didn't drop a valve seat, but I'm not sure what to check next.
Any experts out there have advice for me? I would appreciate any help.....
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nickwarner
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Oct 30, 2013, 1:57 AM
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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Those compression numbers are way to low. This is a 10:1 compression engine.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 30, 2013, 4:16 AM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: 2000 Ford Focus SE engine noise
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Has to be something wrong with that gauge or operator error. It wouldn't even run with those kind of numbers.
Can you record the noise and upload it to a video hosting site and then send us the link?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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