2002 Ford Focus 2.0l petrol - Juddering!

[acerimmer22]

Hi all,

I've owned this Focus (2.0l petrol, 02) for three months now and it's developed a problem today. The car judders when I floor it. It will do it a *little* in lower gears but it is most noticeable in 5th - judder judder judder with no gain in speed even if its only on a 2% incline. It shakes the car - it feels like it wants to accelerate but something is holding it back. Acceleration in lower gears doesn't feel quite as sharp, either.

I'm wondering if this is connected to my handbrake being knackered - it won't hold the car on a hill and I hear the same creaking sounds that I get when I engage the brake when parking, whilst I'm actually driving (to a lesser degree, but still noticeable at low speeds). Could it be sticking or something?

My brother has said he will fix the handbrake.. problem is that he's a fair motorway trip away, and this problem with 5th gear might ensure I can't get there!

The car idles perfectly fine and revs freely when out of gear.

There is a garage literally across the street where I live however I'd like to go in there with some idea of what might be wrong so they don't try and rip me off - if I can't get it back to my brother.

Thanks in advance for any advice y'all may have )

Edited by acerimmer22 on Sunday 9th June 00:27

Edited by acerimmer22 on Sunday 9th June 00:30

Edited by acerimmer22 on Sunday 9th June 00:38

[acerimmer22]

It doesn't slip (revs just don't rise at all when it's juddering) however it is biting pretty high. No more than it was when I bought it, though.

[acerimmer22]

The plugs were replaced only a month ago with shiny platinum? ones, so I doubt it's those. I'll see about this coil pack though, cheers. Doubt it's the battery either, the previous owner replaced it, albeit with a no-name black jobby.

Should have mentioned this: Very occasionally, when hot, it'll fail to start. It'll crank fine, but will only start on the 2nd attempt after turning the ignition off and retrying.

Edited by acerimmer22 on Sunday 9th June 01:09

[acerimmer22]

danjama said:

Seized brake/wheel bearings?

Come to think of it, this problem started not too long after the handbrake gave up the ghost. The car was full, I parked up on a hill, and bam, it didn't hold the car. Probably not a coincidence...

[acerimmer22]

If it is the coil packs, do you reckon a call to the AA (got membership) would be prudent so they can confirm it? I don't have the home cover but it is somewhat drivable so I could be crafty, drive her to a friends house, then call...

I don't know the reputation of any of the garages near me so I'd rather have someone completely impartial confirm the problem and possibly fix it because they tend to have the packs in the van apparently.

Edited by acerimmer22 on Sunday 9th June 02:00

[acerimmer22]

Just took her out for a quick spin whilst the roads are quiet and the juddering is pretty bad. Even mild acceleration in 5th causes it. No engine management light appears though... :/ Acceleration is definitely impaired.. if I give it the beans suddenly in second I don't get that acceleration jolt I used to get. It's more subdued.

A hell of a lot of creaking too. Brakes seized then?

Edited by acerimmer22 on Sunday 9th June 02:23

[acerimmer22]

Usage high? Fuel you mean? It's actually extremely good on fuel - pushing 27-28 around town which I understand is rather good for this engine. 40+ on motorway.

Just had a chin wag with my bro and he says it's possibly the brakes doing this, I'll know in a week when I take it to him - if I can get it back with this problem.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, guys!

[acerimmer22]

That would explain why the acceleration is slightly impaired in lower gears if it's running on 3 cyls, and I have noticed that the engine note sounds slightly off when I have the window down.

[acerimmer22]

Krikkit said:

No, he means the fuel pump drawing too much current.

Given your description it sounds like a misfire under load, I'd look at coilpack(s) first (easiest), then fuel pump. It's not brakes.

I see. Would a diagnostic tool bring up data like this? Got one coming tomorrow and hopefully it'll tell me for sure if there's a misfire going on.

[acerimmer22]

Fixed it - was the HT leads. Replaced the coil pack first, judder more subdued but still there so had a crack at the leads. Aaaaaand she's now running smooth as silk.

Still got the creaking going on due to a fked handbrake but obviously this starting to go was just a big coincidence.

Thanks for all the help guys!