Focus - splutters on acceleration

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Wed 28 Dec 2005 16:12
Focus - splutters on acceleration - nickd01
Hi,

I've got a 52 1.6 Focus with 30k miles on it.

Recently, it's started spluttering under medium to hard acceleration. Gentle acceleration, or easing off the throttle when it does splutter, seems to stop it. Starts fine, and cruses along fine.

The local Ford garage replaced the leads and plugs which fixed it for a few days but it's now back as before.

Before I chuck too much money at this, is there anything easy or obvious I should check or suggest a garag checks?

Thanks

Nick
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Wed 28 Dec 2005 16:39
Focus - splutters on acceleration - Aprilia
Does sound like HT problem. Maybe they should check out the coils....?
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Wed 28 Dec 2005 16:46
Focus - splutters on acceleration - nickd01
Thanks, I'll see if they can look at them.

I just feel a little bit better going to a garage with a *faint* idea of what's wrong and what they could do to look at fixing it.
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Wed 28 Dec 2005 16:49
Focus - splutters on acceleration - Aprilia
With a problem like this it is often best to go somewhere with a rolling road. Then then can get it running at the right speed/load and accurately diagnose the problem.
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Wed 28 Dec 2005 16:50
Focus - splutters on acceleration - nickd01
Sure, that makes sense.

If the local garage reckon the coil is okay, then I'll see if I can find someone with a rolling-road set up.

Thanks
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Tue 10 Jan 2006 18:25
Focus - splutters on acceleration - murphy
Had a Zetec engined Escort (1996) with the same sort of problem. Top Ford technician told me about a problem where the spark from the high tension plug leads sometimes tracks down the outside of the plug insulator instead of down the core of the plug. Ford sent out a service bulletin on the problem ( he gave me a copy) and the remedy was to smear a special Ford silicone just inside the rim of the plug lead where it fits onto the plug. This creates a better insulated seal. I use the end of a plastic tie to do this as suggested in the Ford bulletin. I've still got the tube of silicone and I do it every time now when refitting plug leads. It worked. It is interesting that the car ran OK for a while after new plugs/leads were fitted which suggestes problem is int his area.
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