Changed the plugs March 08, when the plug lead was removed to gain access to spark plug I found water around base of the plug, I used a sponge to remove before changing the plug. The other 3 were the same. Have just changed the leads because car suffering from hesitancy when cold, there was a small amount of water around the plugs.
Has anybody else found this - any ideas. Read more

hi i have a renault trafic van 02 plate i`m trying to find the fuse box in it i`v looked were the glove box is its no wear to be seen i need to change a fuse for the radio

{subject header amended to give brief details of question being asked} Read more

Can anyone advise me regarding whether or not Ford have finally cured the leaking roof problems on the Focus CC with the new model. I am about to take receipt of a brand new CC3 next week and keep reading disturbing reports that Ford have still not found a solution. I desperately need some reassurance as I'm afraid all the excitement of an impending new car has been tinged with the apprehension of leaks. Help.... Read more

Hi folks - I've got a 1999 (Mk1) 1.8i Focus with 80k miles on the clock.

Car wouldn't start the other day - could hear the fuel system pressurise with a whine, but only a 'click' when the starter motor should have turned over.

The central locking was sounding a big sluggish, so I checked the battery (original OEM) and the indicator was showing green, but the battery is only giving out 10.1V.

I tried the car again and this time the starter motor turned the engine over and it eventually started.

I turned the engine off, waited a short while, then tried turning it on again. This time, the dials did a full sweep and I could hear a repeated clicking sound - the dials then seemed to go berzerk !

I then fully charged the battery (out of the car), replaced it and the car started first time. The dials did the full sweep and an audible chime could also be heard.

I tried it a few more times after that and the response has been mixed.

Sometimes the car will start first time, sometimes it'll take a few goes and the starter motor sounds sluggish. Sometimes the dials do a full sweep and other times not. Sometimes they will sweep back and forth with a frantic clicking sound.

The car sat on the drive all day and when I got back, I checked the voltage and it was 10.6V. Can half a dozen failed starts take the voltage from 12.6 down to 10.6V that quickly, or does that point towards a battery problem ?

As a final experiment last night, I fully charged the battery - it reduced from 13.6V to 12.6V fairly quickly but then held it's charge at 12.6V all night.

I should add that the car has never ever failed to start first time up to this point, so I'm surprised that I've had no warning signs up until now.

At 80k miles on the original battery, I'm obviously overdue a replacement so I'm happy to replace it as a first attempt to sort this out as it's likely I'll need to replace it fairly soon anyway, but it's odd that a fully charged battery is still causing problems - I don't really know enough about car batteries and how they behave, but I wonder whether a new battery will behave any differently ?

I've also been told to check the earthing points (battery, starter motor and engine block to body - are there any more ?)

All comments appreciated - thanks.
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The handbrake on my Focus now has rather too much free travel & needs adjusting.

I know that the brake shoes are adjusted correctly since I've examined them & they are in any case self-adjusting.
Assuming that there is some adjustment available, is this from under the car, or must I dismantle the box-cum armrest thing between the seat to find the adjuster / compensator.

Thanks in advance. (I guess I'm avoiding crawling under the car to find out.)

Btw, I've mentioned before, that Focii with rear drums seem to have poor brakes, and an equally poor handbrake. Part of the reason that it needs adjusting is that you have to heave on it for it to be effective. Read more