Any Mechanics about to help me with my Ford Focus Cmax problem?

BlueArmy73

Just wondering if anyone on here has some good engine knowledge......

Focus Cmax 1.8LX

I started to have engine cut outs a couple of times a week now.

What I notice is that when I try to start up sometimes it tries and stutters and stops. So I turn off ignition and start again. Sometimes it stutters and then starts up and revs ok. When I start to drive it I seem to get to about 3000rpm in first or 2nd gear and the power sort of cuts off. This only seems to happen when it stutters to start up.

I can go days where it starts up first or 2nd time and I can get past the 3000rpm and up through the gears, once I get going I know its not going to cut out.

When it cuts out, the power just goes and I have to stumble to a safe place to pull up and switch engine off and wait a few mins and start again. usually it goes ok after that. If I start it up again too soon it just does it again and eventually puts on the engine management light. But once I rest a few mins and start up it can go for days. And eventually the engine management light goes off.

This has got me feeling uncomfortable when I set off on journeys until I get to a certain speed and I know its not going to cut out.

Sorry to blab on but I find it hard to explain.

Could it be a starter problem? I just seems that the engine doesnt seem to be firing enough to take it up through the revs.

I am sure you can all guess I am not the most technical person about.

I just want some idea of what it can be.

Thanks for looking in and I appreciate any help .......

harveybobbles

The Ford 1.8 and 2.0 petrol versions aint always the easiest car to start ay anytime.

Loosing/lack of power could be anything really, but we usually go for the 02 sensor, but that normally puts the engine management light on.

fords around 1996 suffered horrendous problems with the plug/leads. but I'd hope ford sorted that out some 10 years later lol.

BlueArmy73

Well, like I said in my post the engine management light does come on when I dont wait after it cuts.

It can stay on for anything from 5 mins to 2 days.

I just hate my car lol

harveybobbles

There will be fault codes stored in the cars memory so you need to get them read.

BlueArmy73

If its 02 sensor how much am I looking at?

I assume it aint cheap to get the error code read either lol.

What is 02 sensor? Not as obvious as meaning oxygen(o2) lol

harveybobbles

Yes, it means just that! It's in the exuast. About £25 quid for the part, 10 mins to fit.

To get the code read will cost you about a tenner at a decent garage.

maninthestreet

BlueArmy73 wrote: »

If its 02 sensor how much am I looking at?

I assume it aint cheap to get the error code read either lol.

What is 02 sensor? Not as obvious as meaning oxygen(o2) lol

The O2 sensor IS an Oxygen sensor - it's needed to ensure that the oxygen content of the exhaust gases is within the specified range that the exhaust catalyst requires in order to operate correctly. The error codes can be read very easily be any garage that has the right equipment. Changing the O2 sensor is quick and simple

BlueArmy73

Just to add a little more, when I attempt to start it and it tries to fire up sometimes it seems to almost get there but just rumbles and dies.

I can usually tell when it is going to happen. I was convinced it was something to do with the starter but it wouldnt start any time I guess.

Does that info still point to the sensor?

BlueArmy73

maninthestreet wrote: »

The O2 sensor IS an Oxygen sensor - it's needed to ensure that the oxygen content of the exhaust gases is within the specified range that the exhaust catalyst requires in order to operate correctly. The error codes can be read very easily be any garage that has the right equipment. Changing the O2 sensor is quick and simple

so it will be the sensor most likely and not something else that is actually affecting the oxygen levels?

asbokid

BlueArmy73 wrote: »

Just to add a little more, when I attempt to start it and it tries to fire up sometimes it seems to almost get there but just rumbles and dies.

I can usually tell when it is going to happen. I was convinced it was something to do with the starter but it wouldnt start any time I guess.

Does that info still point to the sensor?

no.. it's not the o2 sensor causing that. Or, at least, if the 02 sensor is faulty, there is something else wrong with the engine to cause that.

i would get the engine fault codes read.. maybe buy the reader yourself. they won't cost much on ebay. i bet it will show up something else.. probably another sensor.. the MAF, VAF, etc..

worst case is that it is something mechanical rather than electrical... perhaps worn valve stem oil seals, or worn piston rings, causing loss of cylinder compression.

does it have difficulty starting when cold, when hot, or both?

maninthestreet

BlueArmy73 wrote: »

so it will be the sensor most likely and not something else that is actually affecting the oxygen levels?

Cars have mutiple sensors that provide the engine management system with the inputs it requires. One of the most important sensors is the crank position sensor, failure of which can cause the engine to behave erratically, lose power and become difficult to start. Take your car to a garage that has the right equipment to check the error codes from the engine management system.