Car: Focus
Engine: SPI (Split Parts Inside?)
KMS: 130,000
History: Sputtered during idle last winter. Co-worker with fancy OBD-II code reader stated it wanted more fuel. Codes cleared, didn't come back on for awhile, but car seemed to be running okay. Fuel filter replaced.
Current: Started shuddering on the 401. Took it easy, drove home.
Cheap code reader gave three codes, P0302 being one of them.
Sorry forgot the other two. Since O2 sensor was a common
dominator, replaced it. Cleared codes. Took for a boot down highway, ran great, got up to 150kms/hr.
Shuddering on the 401 again. Only one code, P0302 is back. Perhaps the other two have been solved?
Maybe it's just me, but the problem seems to be 'felt' after driving it for awhile. eg. From Klienburg to Pearson, it 'felt' okay, then started to shudder. Trying to think what would make it worst while driving for awhile or when things warm up.
(07-26-2011, 11:34 AM)moon111 Wrote: [ -> ]Car: Focus
Engine: SPI (Split Parts Inside?)
KMS: 130,000
History: Sputtered during idle last winter. Co-worker with fancy OBD-II code reader stated it wanted more fuel. Codes cleared, didn't come back on for awhile, but car seemed to be running okay. Fuel filter replaced.
Current: Started shuddering on the 401. Took it easy, drove home.
Cheap code reader gave three codes, P0302 being one of them.
Sorry forgot the other two. Since O2 sensor was a common
dominator, replaced it. Cleared codes. Took for a boot down highway, ran great, got up to 150kms/hr.
Shuddering on the 401 again. Only one code, P0302 is back. Perhaps the other two have been solved?
Maybe it's just me, but the problem seems to be 'felt' after driving it for awhile. eg. From Klienburg to Pearson, it 'felt' okay, then started to shudder. Trying to think what would make it worst while driving for awhile or when things warm up.
How old are the plugs / wires ... in any event, take a look at plug #2 and see what's up.
check your spark plugs and wires. there might be the cause. Also if the CEL light is flashing then its related to emissions.
this is more an issue i know about with Hondas, but engine shutter/miss fire after long periods of time usually means the coil is on its way out the door. Its getting heat soaked, and the internal resistance is going wayyyyyy outta spec.
It's the SPI, and that was indicative of the coil going on mine when I had it. I'd do plugs, wires and coil on the SPI if they're due / coming due if I were you.
Drove from Jefferson? (Up on Bathurst) all the way back to Trenton with my windows slightly down and the interior heater on. Didn't feel any misfires, nor was the engine light on. Think this would go along with Sonic's diagnosis?
Was looking online, see some have swapped to aftermarket coils and wires used on the SPI Escort. Anyone else with experience with this? If going with aftermarket parts, where the best place to buy? Staying at a Hilton near Pearson next week, don't want to drive too far. After 10 hours, I'm thirsty, tired, dirty and just want to put my feet up.
does it shutter when acceling off idle (like city driving, traffic lights, etc) or even cruising on the hway?
(08-01-2011, 09:18 AM)sonic_mikey Wrote: [ -> ]does it shutter when acceling off idle (like city driving, traffic lights, etc) or even cruising on the hway?
Haven't had any idle or off idle issues since changing the O2. Notice it mostly, although not always exclusively after about 20 minutes of driving. I drive so much on the highway. And going against rush hour traffic, so don't even get into much stop and go.
(08-02-2011, 03:49 AM)moon111 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-01-2011, 09:18 AM)sonic_mikey Wrote: [ -> ]does it shutter when acceling off idle (like city driving, traffic lights, etc) or even cruising on the hway?
Haven't had any idle or off idle issues since changing the O2. Notice it mostly, although not always exclusively after about 20 minutes of driving. I drive so much on the highway. And going against rush hour traffic, so don't even get into much stop and go.
its almost 100% a heat soak issue with something, i would start with the coil tho. The cheapest way to check if its the coil is to heat it up with a heat gun on the lowest setting and take it for a drive while the rest of the car is cold. If it acts up, u know the coil is junk
While I was in Toronto, went to a store I've never heard of called Performance Improvements. Told him I heard about how they adapt Accel-brand coils designed for the Ford Escort SPI to the Focus SPI. At the end of his shift, the guy was extremely proficient not only pulling up the part numbers etc for the Accel, but another one for MSD which is cheaper, and has the spacers and longer bolts needed to fit the Ford Focus SPI. Didn't have wires though. I grabbed a set of NGK 'Iridium' or something plugs from CTC.
note: The MSD and Accel coil use sparkplug wires with snap connecters like used on the Escort. The Focus ones are regular slip on ones and won't fit.
Needing wires NOW, I went to Talf's scrapyard in Brighton and grabbed two sets of stock Escort wires. (Do they put the dates on them? One said 1993, the other 1997) Install wasn't a problem. Needed a 7mm and 8mm socket and a 8mm wrench. Needed to pull the air-cleaner.
After install, no codes came back and the low-end power is friggin' amazing from what I was use to. Even the exhaust sounds way more crisp.
* #2 spark plug wire broke in the spark plug boot during removal. -possible it was the cause.
* Haven't taken it for a test ride on the highway yet, but feel confident.
My 2000 SPI had the same issue, my misfire was on number 4. replaced the wires, plugs and coil and still got it. My issue was a faulty fuel injector. Replaced the injector and has been running great ever since.
When I replaced the O2 sensor, things seemed fine too. It wasn't until Monday until I got going down the 401 that started to misfire. Going on Sonic's advice, but failing that, probably injectors would be next.