Whole lots of problems. - The Ford Focus Forum

**$500focus** · 10-13-2009, 09:42 PM

Okay where to start:

1. Engine- Coolant leak believe comming from poss thermostat housing or hose going to it.

RPM's are not steady. They sorta fluctuate up and down. poss leak in hose mabey something else. Lights seem to dim and brighten while idle. both headlights and interior light.

Seems to overheat when idle for a while. Thinking fans not kicking on. Could this be caused by themostat being bad.

Also a clicking comming from engine while idle. sorta 1 click then a hum. then no noise for 15 sec's. then click, hum and over and over.

I am sure there are many more problems but I will be happy to start with just this.

**singleparin** · 10-14-2009, 01:45 AM

look for the thread about thermostat housing replacement, start with that cause apparently two of your problems are related to the thermostat, i also replaced my housing, it didn't show any signs of damage on the outside but believe me if it's leaking coolant it sure has a crack or a chip broken from the inside of the housing. then go from there. hope everything is fine, just keep on this thread, am sure someone will point you to the right direction. good luck.

**$500focus** · 10-14-2009, 02:20 AM

Im going to replace that first and go from there. Need to get it taken care of soon because winter is comming fast. No garage means workin in the snow. No fun.

**GapBoyPCS** · 10-14-2009, 05:36 AM

The thermostat housing is a common part to fail over time. Change that, thermostat, and flush/fill with coolant, and you should be fine.

The overheat may be your cooling fans not coming on. Usually the culprit is the resistor pack.

Based on how you got the car, it might be wise to just tackle the maintenance items like new plugs, plug wires, etc. to see if that cures some of your idling issues.

**$500focus** · 10-14-2009, 07:08 PM

okay i found the clicking is a pulley. It is the second one down bottom left hand corner. Sorta by the edge of the radiator. It seems to spin with belt then inside of pulley stops for 10 to 15 seconds then continues to spin. This happens about every 15 seconds or so. Should this happen or is it a major problem. Thanks again

**nomadzx4** · 10-23-2009, 06:32 PM

sounds like your ac compressor is working fine!

**GapBoyPCS** · 10-23-2009, 07:10 PM

By chance, is your A/C on when the clicking happens?

I know when I had clicking and rattling sounds from the engine bay, it was the result of these two items:

1. Water pump pulley bolt was coming loose; and

2. A/C Compressor not having enough refrigerant to push through the a/c and defrosting system.

**ViperThreat** · 10-25-2009, 03:48 AM

RPMS not steady.. Check for vaccum leaks, and if all else fails, unplug your EGR.. it will cause a check engine light, but its an easy way to see if the EGR system is causing the problem..

**$500focus** · 10-30-2009, 12:32 AM

I was told that the the clicking is just to keep the pulley from freezing up during times of non use. and it happens when ac is on and off. Will check for vacum leaks as well. Also just dropped a new battery in it. The funny thing is that the head lights will brighten and dim even if I am at a steady rpm going on the e way. by the way regular headlights dont work just the brights.,. Any input would be appreciated,

**$500focus** · 10-31-2009, 04:09 PM

Yep it only happens when I have heat or air running.. So I beleive it is just the ac conpresser

10-13-2009, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
$500focus Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Akron, OH 330 Posts: 6	Whole lots of problems. Okay where to start: 1. Engine- Coolant leak believe comming from poss thermostat housing or hose going to it. RPM's are not steady. They sorta fluctuate up and down. poss leak in hose mabey something else. Lights seem to dim and brighten while idle. both headlights and interior light. Seems to overheat when idle for a while. Thinking fans not kicking on. Could this be caused by themostat being bad. Also a clicking comming from engine while idle. sorta 1 click then a hum. then no noise for 15 sec's. then click, hum and over and over. I am sure there are many more problems but I will be happy to start with just this.

10-14-2009, 01:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
singleparin Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 20	Re: Whole lots of problems. look for the thread about thermostat housing replacement, start with that cause apparently two of your problems are related to the thermostat, i also replaced my housing, it didn't show any signs of damage on the outside but believe me if it's leaking coolant it sure has a crack or a chip broken from the inside of the housing. then go from there. hope everything is fine, just keep on this thread, am sure someone will point you to the right direction. good luck.

10-14-2009, 02:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
$500focus Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Akron, OH 330 Posts: 6	Re: Whole lots of problems. Im going to replace that first and go from there. Need to get it taken care of soon because winter is comming fast. No garage means workin in the snow. No fun.

10-14-2009, 05:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
GapBoyPCS Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Waterloo/Toronto/GTA, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,226	Re: Whole lots of problems. The thermostat housing is a common part to fail over time. Change that, thermostat, and flush/fill with coolant, and you should be fine. The overheat may be your cooling fans not coming on. Usually the culprit is the resistor pack. Based on how you got the car, it might be wise to just tackle the maintenance items like new plugs, plug wires, etc. to see if that cures some of your idling issues. __________________ Richard - 2002 ZTS \| Sangria Red \| 434,000+ km...Be Bold, Stay Focused 24-7 Redline Rendezvous \| OFOC - Ontario Focus Owners Club \| SVTOA-Toronto [FJ] focaljet - Forum Guidelines - Welcome to the Jet - Team Canada - FJ Store - Sponsors - SEARCH

10-14-2009, 07:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
$500focus Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Akron, OH 330 Posts: 6	Re: Whole lots of problems. okay i found the clicking is a pulley. It is the second one down bottom left hand corner. Sorta by the edge of the radiator. It seems to spin with belt then inside of pulley stops for 10 to 15 seconds then continues to spin. This happens about every 15 seconds or so. Should this happen or is it a major problem. Thanks again

10-23-2009, 06:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
nomadzx4 TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: VICTORIA,BC,CANADA Posts: 181	Re: Whole lots of problems. sounds like your ac compressor is working fine! __________________ "I WENT TO A FUNERAL THE OTHER DAY, FOR THE INVENTOR OF THE "HOKEY POKEY", ILL HAVE TO SAY ,IT WAS KINDA WIERD, FIRST THEY PUT HIS LEFT LEG IN......" 07 PITCH BLACK ZX4 S BONE STOCK...FOR NOW!!

10-23-2009, 07:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
GapBoyPCS Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Waterloo/Toronto/GTA, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,226	Re: Whole lots of problems. By chance, is your A/C on when the clicking happens? I know when I had clicking and rattling sounds from the engine bay, it was the result of these two items: 1. Water pump pulley bolt was coming loose; and 2. A/C Compressor not having enough refrigerant to push through the a/c and defrosting system. __________________ Richard - 2002 ZTS \| Sangria Red \| 434,000+ km...Be Bold, Stay Focused 24-7 Redline Rendezvous \| OFOC - Ontario Focus Owners Club \| SVTOA-Toronto [FJ] focaljet - Forum Guidelines - Welcome to the Jet - Team Canada - FJ Store - Sponsors - SEARCH

10-25-2009, 03:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
ViperThreat TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 126	Re: Whole lots of problems. RPMS not steady.. Check for vaccum leaks, and if all else fails, unplug your EGR.. it will cause a check engine light, but its an easy way to see if the EGR system is causing the problem..

10-30-2009, 12:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
$500focus Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Akron, OH 330 Posts: 6	Re: Whole lots of problems. I was told that the the clicking is just to keep the pulley from freezing up during times of non use. and it happens when ac is on and off. Will check for vacum leaks as well. Also just dropped a new battery in it. The funny thing is that the head lights will brighten and dim even if I am at a steady rpm going on the e way. by the way regular headlights dont work just the brights.,. Any input would be appreciated,

10-31-2009, 04:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
$500focus Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Akron, OH 330 Posts: 6	Re: Whole lots of problems. Yep it only happens when I have heat or air running.. So I beleive it is just the ac conpresser

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