1999 Ford Focus problems!!! please help!!!
Discussion
Ive got a 1999 T reg Ford Focus Ghia, been having a couple of recurring problems with it!!
1. The oil light flickers on/off under heavy breaking & sometimes just when driving, i obviously checked the oil level on the dipstick, it was dry so i added 1litre of oil, this stopped the light flickering on/off.
A few weeks later and it began happening again, so i checked the oil level - bone dry on the dipstick, added 2litres of oil this time, stoped the problem, but hardly any oil is on the dipstick, its almost as if the dipstick isn't long enough??
The light has just started to come on again but im worried about overfilling with oil??
2. Knocking sound coming from the rear when going over bumps??
3. Juddering at 70mph on motorway, i think that the wheels may need balancing but not sure??
If anyone can offer any advice i'd be very gratefull!!
1. The oil light flickers on/off under heavy breaking & sometimes just when driving, i obviously checked the oil level on the dipstick, it was dry so i added 1litre of oil, this stopped the light flickering on/off.
A few weeks later and it began happening again, so i checked the oil level - bone dry on the dipstick, added 2litres of oil this time, stoped the problem, but hardly any oil is on the dipstick, its almost as if the dipstick isn't long enough??
The light has just started to come on again but im worried about overfilling with oil??
2. Knocking sound coming from the rear when going over bumps??
3. Juddering at 70mph on motorway, i think that the wheels may need balancing but not sure??
If anyone can offer any advice i'd be very gratefull!!
I'm absolutely no mechanic but my 2p worth...
Oil disappearing i expect will either mean an oil leak or engine is burning oil. Oil should be topped up to the upper marker on the dipstick when the engine is cold. Not sure how much oil the engine holds but i'd suggest investing in a Haynes manual - will tell you how much and has a fault finding section in it.
As to where the oil is going, are your exhaust fumes smokey? If the smoke has a blue tinge to them then it may be burning oil. Look at the underside of the engine to see if there's any obvious leaks, and look where the car is parked for oil spots. Otherwise, Google is your friend.
The knocking noise could be anything from the boot lid rattling (my focus does that) to a wheel bearing problem or anything in between. Again, Haynes manual might have suggestions and Google for possible answers.
Don't know about the juddering, could be all kinds of things - possibly even related to the other problems but again i'm no mechanic and only speak from the point of view of maintaining my own cars, so insert pseudo-legal mumbo-jumbo (response is supplied 'as is' with no warranty implied etc...
)
Good luck with fixing it, i think they're great cars.
Oil disappearing i expect will either mean an oil leak or engine is burning oil. Oil should be topped up to the upper marker on the dipstick when the engine is cold. Not sure how much oil the engine holds but i'd suggest investing in a Haynes manual - will tell you how much and has a fault finding section in it.
As to where the oil is going, are your exhaust fumes smokey? If the smoke has a blue tinge to them then it may be burning oil. Look at the underside of the engine to see if there's any obvious leaks, and look where the car is parked for oil spots. Otherwise, Google is your friend.
The knocking noise could be anything from the boot lid rattling (my focus does that) to a wheel bearing problem or anything in between. Again, Haynes manual might have suggestions and Google for possible answers.
Don't know about the juddering, could be all kinds of things - possibly even related to the other problems but again i'm no mechanic and only speak from the point of view of maintaining my own cars, so insert pseudo-legal mumbo-jumbo (response is supplied 'as is' with no warranty implied etc...
)Good luck with fixing it, i think they're great cars.
As said, check dipstick when cold. If its 1600 silvertop, it should take around 4.5 litres of 5w30. If you're unsure how much is in it, drain it and change it and keep an eye on it. These engines can get through a fair amount of oil on high mileage and with all engines, if left low on oil bottom end seizure, ive seen it happen with these.
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