Focus 2.0 misfiring, white smoke...

[blindmaninchains]

My 2001 Focus 2.0 has developed a misfire which has gotten progressively worse over the last few weeks (I know, I should have had it looked at by now, but I've been working lots of OT, er the dog ate my homework etc etc).

It's also kicking out a bit of white smoke and water from the exhaust, although strangely it doesn't seem to be losing any coolant. It's not overheating and there is no mayo in the oil filler cap (head gasket would have been my first guess). The misfire is not evident when the car is driven from cold, but within a minute, it's there.

Any ideas chaps?

If it is HG, any idea on likely cost?

Thanks in advance.

Edited by blindmaninchains on Tuesday 13th April 00:48

[Focuswayne]

The HT leads and coil packs tend to be a common problem on the Mk1 focus, my girlfriend and myself have both had problems there i would check them before going any deeper!

[blindmaninchains]

They were both replaced about 4 months ago, so (hopefully!) not them.

[Zad]

Maybe take the spark plugs out and have a look at the state of them? That might tell you if it is a mis-fire. Actually, having said that, I'm not sure what it would achieve, it needs a compression test to check the various seals really. From there on it depends on whether the head needs to come off for work, if it has warped or cracked, or if it is a mis-firing spark plug.