power loss until 4k - The Ford Focus Forum

**RTzx3** · 10-30-2009, 09:23 PM

This has been a problem for a while and no mechanic knows what it is. One day my car just started runnig slow. when i get on it, it just lags until 4k, then it picks up. my car also seems to be running rich, my exhaust stinks. i tried a few things including
-sparkplugs
-cleaning MAF
-fuel filter
-wires
-coil pack
-hi flow cat

Nothing has changed, still has issue. i had read someone said i jumped my timing belt or my motor mount is torn on the front top mount. Someone help please!

**hEaT** · 10-31-2009, 12:58 AM

It does sound like a timing problem. How many miles on the car?

**pzev04boy** · 10-31-2009, 01:11 AM

Timing or maybe a bad cat?

**lifer** · 10-31-2009, 03:17 PM

sounds like a cloged cat to me, you sure u turbo is not kicking in at 4k lol

**hEaT** · 10-31-2009, 06:25 PM

I would think a clogged cat would cause higher-rpm power to suffer, not the low-end.

**FordFociSHO** · 10-31-2009, 07:39 PM

Ignition timing or cam timing, nothing else makes sense to me.

Round-about 4K is where you reach full ignition advance. So conceivably if you have no power below that point one could argue the ignition timing is off. Maybe something with the Knock Sensor?

Has the coil pack pigtail been replaced?
Did you wire it correctly?

Did you miss a plug with a wire? Happens more than you'd think.

Is an engine ground missing or bad?
Low RPM the ignition bleeds more voltage than it uses and needs a better ground vs higher RPM.

If you suspect it's a cam timing issue go through the procedure of how to put a timing belt on. Long as the cam lock bar fits and #1 is at TDC timing should be fine.

I'm betting on an ignition problem though.

**RTzx3** · 11-06-2009, 07:52 PM

i have a new CAT on it and the issue is still there 125k is on the car now, and the pig tail has not been replaced, will look into that.

i will also look into the engine grounds too, As well as the knock sensor, i had triple checked that i wired the plug wires correctly as well. with all the parts i had listed in the first post, nothing has made the issue worse or better, i think it may be a cam timing issue because of the rich gas smell in exhaust and lack of power, but too many variables to go through. thanks for all the posts, and i wish i had a turbo regaurdless is if kicked in at 4k.lol

Please keep the ideas coming, this is driving me crazy, i love the focus and it kills me to not be able to use the full potential that this has

~Randy

**FordFociSHO** · 11-06-2009, 08:51 PM

S&G

Lets try this once, post what spark plug you're using and what they are gap'd at.

**bwatt** · 11-06-2009, 09:05 PM

did u replace the front o2 sensor after u replaced the cat? it will help from ur new cat going bad

**DeadlyDean** · 11-08-2009, 07:23 PM

This sounds like a problem I had a long while back, but a bit different from yours. kinda sounds like to me a bad air/fuel mixture. have you tried reseting the battery, in other words just leave the battery unlugged for 10min. if the car runs a bit smoother after the reset then its time to get a flash tuner like SCT XCAL.

I had misfiring, stalling, and little power all the way up to 4k. might be the same for you... in a way. just try the battery trick and see if you notice anything different.

**RTzx3** · 11-08-2009, 10:29 PM

I am using the Autolite XP series and they are gaped at .054 i think, i remember checking them and looking to see if they were correct. this issue was happening before, and still after new plugs were put in.

As soon as i did anything to the car, i reset the battery, still no change.

Both O2 sensors had been changed, as both were seized into the CAT and mangled when i got them out.

I thought compression, bu this would be throughout the entire RPM range correct? I am still going to do the test, but it is doubtful. thanks again for all input and please keep it coming.
~Randy

**Imoz** · 11-09-2009, 08:51 AM

I am getting a very similar problem, I can hold high RPM 4k+ however normal driving bogs down to the point of no throttle response and will shoot back to acceleration when the car feels like it, I can hear the maf attempting to add air like crazy during idle but this started just randomly yesterday afternoon. (car is stock)

**Lancer211** · 11-10-2009, 02:25 PM

Well, whaddaya know? I've suddenly come down with the same problem. Recently replaced the big 3, but the car ran fine after that. Recently replaced the fuel filter as well, no problem. Replaced the intake manifold and exhaust manifold maybe a month ago with a 2k IM and JBA shorty, also, physically removed the entire EGR system about 2 weeks ago.

However, I don't think it's anything related to those things.

10-30-2009, 09:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
RTzx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: plymouth, MA Posts: 138	power loss until 4k This has been a problem for a while and no mechanic knows what it is. One day my car just started runnig slow. when i get on it, it just lags until 4k, then it picks up. my car also seems to be running rich, my exhaust stinks. i tried a few things including -sparkplugs -cleaning MAF -fuel filter -wires -coil pack -hi flow cat Nothing has changed, still has issue. i had read someone said i jumped my timing belt or my motor mount is torn on the front top mount. Someone help please! __________________ 2002 liquid grey premium. Volant intake, Magna flow exhaust, 9mm ford wires, urathane motor mount(dog bone),MAC under drive,FC race shifter.eibach pro system,FC strut tower brace.

10-31-2009, 12:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
hEaT I <3 UC^3 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 7,447	Re: power loss until 4k It does sound like a timing problem. How many miles on the car? __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

10-31-2009, 01:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
pzev04boy Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Round Lake, IL Posts: 3,193	Re: power loss until 4k Timing or maybe a bad cat? __________________ 03 Zetec ATX E&S TURBO SYSTEMS powered sedan 00 Mustang Gt - Built motor - Soon to be Single turbo 07 Ninja 500R Building 640cc race motor.

10-31-2009, 03:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
lifer TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SYRACUSE NY Posts: 370	Re: power loss until 4k sounds like a cloged cat to me, you sure u turbo is not kicking in at 4k lol __________________ IS NOT WHAT YOU DRIVE, IS HOW YOU DRIVE IT *217 WHP 253 FTQ AT 10 psi = 13.8 IN A 1/4* MORE NEXT SEASON NEW SET UP IN THE WORKS PRECISION TURBO KIT FOR SALE IN FOR SALE SECTION

10-31-2009, 06:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
hEaT I <3 UC^3 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 7,447	Re: power loss until 4k I would think a clogged cat would cause higher-rpm power to suffer, not the low-end. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

10-31-2009, 07:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
FordFociSHO Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Minnesota, Darwin Posts: 1,826	Re: power loss until 4k Ignition timing or cam timing, nothing else makes sense to me. Round-about 4K is where you reach full ignition advance. So conceivably if you have no power below that point one could argue the ignition timing is off. Maybe something with the Knock Sensor? Has the coil pack pigtail been replaced? Did you wire it correctly? Did you miss a plug with a wire? Happens more than you'd think. Is an engine ground missing or bad? Low RPM the ignition bleeds more voltage than it uses and needs a better ground vs higher RPM. If you suspect it's a cam timing issue go through the procedure of how to put a timing belt on. Long as the cam lock bar fits and #1 is at TDC timing should be fine. I'm betting on an ignition problem though.

11-06-2009, 07:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
RTzx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: plymouth, MA Posts: 138	Re: power loss until 4k i have a new CAT on it and the issue is still there 125k is on the car now, and the pig tail has not been replaced, will look into that. i will also look into the engine grounds too, As well as the knock sensor, i had triple checked that i wired the plug wires correctly as well. with all the parts i had listed in the first post, nothing has made the issue worse or better, i think it may be a cam timing issue because of the rich gas smell in exhaust and lack of power, but too many variables to go through. thanks for all the posts, and i wish i had a turbo regaurdless is if kicked in at 4k.lol Please keep the ideas coming, this is driving me crazy, i love the focus and it kills me to not be able to use the full potential that this has ~Randy __________________ 2002 liquid grey premium. Volant intake, Magna flow exhaust, 9mm ford wires, urathane motor mount(dog bone),MAC under drive,FC race shifter.eibach pro system,FC strut tower brace.

11-06-2009, 08:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
FordFociSHO Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Minnesota, Darwin Posts: 1,826	Re: power loss until 4k S&G Lets try this once, post what spark plug you're using and what they are gap'd at.

11-08-2009, 07:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
DeadlyDean TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: League City, TX Posts: 528	Re: power loss until 4k This sounds like a problem I had a long while back, but a bit different from yours. kinda sounds like to me a bad air/fuel mixture. have you tried reseting the battery, in other words just leave the battery unlugged for 10min. if the car runs a bit smoother after the reset then its time to get a flash tuner like SCT XCAL. I had misfiring, stalling, and little power all the way up to 4k. might be the same for you... in a way. just try the battery trick and see if you notice anything different. __________________ ¸_____ /_\|_\|__\__ l(o)____(o)l <--EüRöFöCüS: 02 Twi Blu ZX5 FoFo Euroness My Newest Project(s): Replacing the Broken Euros with new ones, opening them up for paint /// KW coilovers

11-08-2009, 10:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
RTzx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: plymouth, MA Posts: 138	Re: power loss until 4k I am using the Autolite XP series and they are gaped at .054 i think, i remember checking them and looking to see if they were correct. this issue was happening before, and still after new plugs were put in. As soon as i did anything to the car, i reset the battery, still no change. Both O2 sensors had been changed, as both were seized into the CAT and mangled when i got them out. I thought compression, bu this would be throughout the entire RPM range correct? I am still going to do the test, but it is doubtful. thanks again for all input and please keep it coming. ~Randy __________________ 2002 liquid grey premium. Volant intake, Magna flow exhaust, 9mm ford wires, urathane motor mount(dog bone),MAC under drive,FC race shifter.eibach pro system,FC strut tower brace.

11-09-2009, 08:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
Imoz Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Re: power loss until 4k I am getting a very similar problem, I can hold high RPM 4k+ however normal driving bogs down to the point of no throttle response and will shoot back to acceleration when the car feels like it, I can hear the maf attempting to add air like crazy during idle but this started just randomly yesterday afternoon. (car is stock)

11-10-2009, 02:25 PM	#13 (permalink)
Lancer211 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,342	Re: power loss until 4k Well, whaddaya know? I've suddenly come down with the same problem. Recently replaced the big 3, but the car ran fine after that. Recently replaced the fuel filter as well, no problem. Replaced the intake manifold and exhaust manifold maybe a month ago with a 2k IM and JBA shorty, also, physically removed the entire EGR system about 2 weeks ago. However, I don't think it's anything related to those things. __________________ For sale: Eibach Pro-Kit springs, sedan taillight, lower grille, DPFE, EVR, MAFS, side markers, trunk handle, fuel door, gas pedal, headlight switch, AC/vent/defrost button, hazard switch, ashtray, silver console bezel, HVAC controls. 2004 infrared Focus SE Zetec ATX sedan "Ruby" CarDomain Page

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