Car juddering,finding it hard to go up hills

spartacusthe1st

Hiya, got a ford focus 1998 1.6
At my last mot 4 months ago I had dirty emissions and they finally found the fault as oil was dripping on the the engine.they fixed it.
Now I have to top up my oil every 2 months or so, and when I go up even the slightest hill it starts juddering and I have to drop a gear to get some revs.
Some one said it might b a crank shaft seal gone and oil is dripping on to the clutch?

Any one got any ideas?gratefully received!!!

mattyprice4004

If it was leaking oil and causing the clutch to slip, your revs would increase uncontrollably when you put your foot down, probably not this.

Replace fuel filter and spark plugs - always my first port of call with juddering / power loss

spartacusthe1st

Thanks, all the spark plugs were replaced at the mot a few months ago.
And how much do you think the fuel filter would cost?

spartacusthe1st

CN anyone else help?thanks

peteb74

Not sure if it's any help but it sounds similar to a problem I had a few years back when something had damaged the catalytic converter on my Mk2 Mondeo; that totally trashed the performance and it struggled to get up hills

colino

While you can discount the clutch, there are several points that need your attention and each or all of them could be at fault. Potentially the garage just cleaned your old plugs and you really need a new set. Your HT leads (remember the oil) could need replacing, similarly the coil pack.
Fundamentally though, your rocker gasket needs changed or its going to leak over your shiney new plugs, but a pound to a penny your misfire is the coil pack slinking into old age.

richard734

You need to pop to a garage and get it properly looked at - I'll throw another possible cause in here - Brake fluid levels low. Many cars will throw an error and cut out if brake fluid is low (Vauxhall and Renault for sure) you start to get this when going up hills as teh fluid moves and teh sensor is exposed, causing the juddering sensation.

AlexisV

How is it at idle? Are you on 4 cylinders?

spartacusthe1st

Had all the spark plugs replaced and also the catalytic converter was replaced because it had oil on it.thanks Richard brake fluid low was on the mot warning bit.
It takes a good 6/7 pumps of the gas pedal to start it up as I turn the key and I have no clue what 4 cylinders is!

worried_jim

Your car has a four cylinder engine, when running rough it may only be firing on three. When you have started the car and are running on tick over does sound smooth like it used to- you will hear if it is only running on three.

A fuel filter will be less than a tenner.

spartacusthe1st

Thanks jim.theres so many things that can go wrong in a car and I have no clue about cars at all!!
Sounds pretty normal when it's ticking over.
Someone suggested putting hand brake in go into 1st and lift the clutch to see how it bites