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Does anyone recogized these symptoms?
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10MoreMonths
New User
Jul 10, 2009, 9:35 AM
Post #1 of 2
(3051 views)
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Does anyone recogized these symptoms?
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OK this may be a bit longer than most want to read.... but I want to give all the details.
First - THANK YOU in advance to anyone that helps. I think a good mechanic is worth their weight in gold... but being a single female in a new town it's hard to find someone I can trust. I'm a super poor student and I just need this car for 10 more months until I graduate......
It's a 2001 Ford Focus, 2.0L and single overhead cam whatever that means??? I've been the only owner. Never had any major engine issues except for this. OK here it goes...
2 years ago - started "choking" on long trips - it would hesitate and when I pressed on the gas pedal it actually SLOWED the car down, took about 20 mnutes of that and the car would die. I thought it was bad gas from other cities (maybe additives to bigger city fuel) - so I would put a gas cleaner in it and fill the tank up, rev the engine a few times.... and it had power again.
1 year ago - after being tired of it acting like that on trips, I took it to a tuneup place and asked about it possibly being the fuel filter. He changed the fuel filter and air filter, did a fuel injector cleaning and oil change, and checked the 02 sensor (it was okay). I didn't notice a huge difference in performance after that, but I don't recall it acting up on any long trips after that.
2 months ago - I went to a car wash, and when I drove off I suddenly had no power. It was like the car was putting along and wouldn't go above 30 or so without working up to it over a couple miles. I thought maybe it had something to do with the A/C compressor being removed awhile back (long story, involves a poor little porcupine and an 90 mph car).... pretty soon the CEL came on - took it to Auto Zone - Cylinder 2 misfire. OK. I googled how to change plugs and wires... changed all 4 of both, still the same problems. Took it into the only shop that could get me in that day - which is attached to an auto salvage yard. I told him I thought it was the ignition coil (due to my professional googleism) - he kept it all day anyway and swore it was somthing else... only to call me the next day saying it WAS the ignition coil and he replaced it. I picked it up and driving off it sounded like a tractor (loud and puttery). I couldn't get another day off for 3 weeks, and it seemed to have much better power, so I just let it be.
2 weeks ago - in addition to the tractor sound, it started hesitating. Not as bad as a couple years ago, but pretty often. I figured it was connected to the crazy sound. I took it back, the guy says the crazy sound is an exhaust leak - shows me this little bar that got knocked too hard when they were fixing it before, replaces the bar, and I'm on my way with a much quieter car. He also agreed that the performance could've been due to the exhaust leak. BUT NO.... that night the car again starts hesitating, more often now. That night I drove out of town, and on the way back the CEL came on again. YAY! So again to Auto Zone - this time Cylinder 1 misfire. At home I looked at the ticket from when the ignition coil was replaced, and noticed that it was a USED one. So I figure, maybe it was a bad one also? I bought a new ignition coil from Auto Zone - replaced it myself that night - WOW lots more power. I thought I fixed it.
This past week - Car starts hesitating again. Yes, it has more power... but I think now that it just has more power because I had an old ignition coil on there, and of course the new one would be better - and possibly cover up the other issue. Now, the hesitation is so bad that it's like it was two years ago.... today I was coming back from a 2 hour highway road trip (it was hesitating slightly but it's less noticable when going 70 or 80 mph) - almost into town, it starts jerking when I press on the gas pedal, and actually has a stronger feel to it when I let OFF the gas pedal. Then it slowly goes slower and slower, after about 20 miles I couldn't even go above 25 mph. I rolled into a gas station to put gas and a cleaner in it..... by the time I got to the tank the car completely stalled out. I turned it back on, and BOOM - power! It rode home fine, except for the normal jerking hesitation, without adding anything to the tank.
And it has gotten to the point now of jerking/hesitating even sitting at a stoplight (car in drive and brake pressed). But I noticed that it does not hesitate when it's in park. Oh and the gas mileage isn't HORRIBLE but it's not good either.
Does anyone know what this probably is? I know it COULD be the fuel pump, or fuel injectors, but can I get someone's opinion on what they THINK it may be so that I can attempt to do the cheapest thing at home, or at least know what I'm talking about when I take it to a mechanic? Maybe someone has had this exact issue before?
I'm sooooooo frustrated with this problem.
TIA again
Stephanie
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jul 10, 2009, 9:49 AM
Post #2 of 2
(3047 views)
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Re: Does anyone recogized these symptoms?
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Stephanie; Really enjoyed your story. Specially 'bout the porcupine! LOL. Yes, I would suggest having the fuel pressure tested. But, my gut instinct would be to check for exhaust restriction. The reason I say that; Catalytic converters can break up into chunks. While you are driving, the chunks can plug off the exhaust and cause a severe loss of power. When you left off the throttle, or shut off the engine, the 'chunk' will fall away, and everything will be fine again until it does it again. Now, don't run out and buy a fuel pump or a catalytic converter. Both can be tested by a tech. If you are new in town and don't know anyone personally, ask neighbors or even the guys at AutoZone who'd they recommend for these tests. The exhaust backpressure test shouldn't be higher than 1.5psi at 2500 rpm.
Good luck. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions or an opinion on the diagnosis that you get.
Loren
SW Washington
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