My 2002 Focus 1.6 Zetec has covered 88k. I recently noticed that the exhaust was getting a bit noisy. On checking underneath, the flexible joint ( a wire mesh thing) between the manifold and the exhaust has started to break up inside the mesh. Been told by Ford that you have to renew the whole manifold as you cannot get a separate joint. Cost about £180 plus labour of up to 3 hours. At Ford rates that is £60 per hour! Has anyone else had this problem or would like to comment please? Read more

Good evening chaps/essess! is that right?

Had a battery changed in one of the Merc' keys today. Nothing wrong 'til I got home and decided to lock the car. After about 30 seconds the alarm went off and no matter what I tried or in what sequence nothing, but nothing would bring back normality. Any thoughts gratefully received please. Before you say go back to the "changer of the battery", this will not be a prob', but I am so wishing to solve it now.

Very best regards..........Martin. Read more

I have just picked up my S reg Astra from the garage after requiring 4 new tyres to pass the MOT. The garage have replaced the original Conti's with some brand called "Cheng Shan". While they were considerably cheaper than a premium brand, i wonder if this is a big trade off with quality and safety. I am somewhat dubious at the thought of my cars only contact with road being some unknown Chinese brand. Should I change them for something better, as I do a lot of motorway driving or are they perfectly adiqate? Any thoughts please. Read more

My 7 year old owned from new Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia has finally let me down.

Last weekend the car started as normal I moved off but then stalled after a couple of seconds, and couldn?t get re-started. I called Green flag recovery who said it could be the fuel pump, he did all the usual checks then he had a look under the rear seat banged around under the back of the car, and played around with the fuses. After about half an hour the car restarted and I was on my way.

On the way home the abs warning light and traction control light where on permanently, So I checked the fuses when I got home and found they had put a 30 amp rated fuse in place of the blown 15 amp fuse for the fuel pump. So I sorted that out and the next day bought a new battery, as the old one was 7 years old, hoping this would cure it.

The car has been used all week with no problems and I thought it was fixed.

But today after driving around making lots of stops and starts, the car started and stalled again just as before, the 15 amp fuse had blown again. Luckily I was near a VW dealer who charged me 51p for a fuse, this got me on my way again.

I bought some more fuses then at home I turned the ignition and listened to the fuel pump come on, switched the ignition off (without starting the engine), I did this about 8 times then the next try I didn?t hear the fuel pump checked the fuse and it was blown again, replaced the fuse, started the engine and it was fine again.

I remembered the Green Flag man checked the wiring under the rear seat, where I guess it goes to the fuel pump/tank, the wiring is really stuffed through the grommet to under the car, I pulled it gently out and looked closely the black insulated cabling it was quite kinked in a couple of places, I felt it and it did feel a bit warm. Could this cause the problem. I had the seat down to transport some carpet today, and had them down to carry a lot of weight for a car boot sale the week before, it does seem a bit of a coincidence though.

I spoke to the Ford Garage who said they have never heard of such a problem with a Focus and would love me to bring it in to have a look, (labour charge of quite a lot).

Could it be the actual fuel pump or do you think it?s the wiring of something else.
Would using a 20 amp or 30 amp fuse (like Green Flag did) instead of the 15 amp be ok (i doubt it).
When the car is moving it runs perfectly and always has, it's a great car.
This fault is very frustrating any views or help would be greatly appreciated.
s Read more

Hi - just joined the forum and this is my 1st post.

Car 307SW HDi 110bhp 53 plate 55 miles

4 weeks ago I had a 48k mile service at the Peugeot dealership in Linwood, Renfrewshire. I mentioned that there was an ANTIPOLLUTION fault reported and would they have a look at it. Suffice to say they came back and told me they could not find anything, but mentioned that the flywheel and exhaust needed fixing.

Car had been running ok. Within days the car seized and flywheel had gone. I had it recovered to a local Kwik Fit and had repairs done. However on taking the car back it had gone into "limp home" mode under 2500revs. Took it back to the Peugeot dealer and they found the following ECU faults (all permanent):

1. Fuel pressure signal. Signal short circuit to positive, open circuit
2. Differential exhaust pressure signal. Coherence of the differential pressure when stopped
3. Additive system. Fuel tank cap pressure signal

They have suggested performing the following work:

Replace Fuel cap sensor 1503T2 £20.03
Replace pressure sensor FAP 161809 £73.74
Replace Rail pressure sensor 19207R £151.99
Add 2 litres of FAP Fluid 973685 £27.27

add in 3 hours of labour at £65/hr and it comes to £581.65 (inc vat)

I'm also concerned that they may have ignored the Particulate filter which I think should be changed aroun 50k miles

Could this problem could be related to the EGR?

Any advice on how I proceed with this as I've read many forums and I'm concerned that I do not want many visits and the problem still exists - especially after the recent costs to get the car back on the road. Read more