Focus Diesel. Cutting Out / Cold Starting Problem
Discussion
First time poster...seen some similar threads and there seems to be some experts on here so fingers crossed! Mods please move to a more appropriate forum if I am in the wrong place
I have an 04 plate Focus Diesel 1.8 TDCi with 133k miles on the clock. I have two problems with it.
1) Starting when cold is on the verge of impossible. When it is around 10C it takes about 5 seconds of turning over then goes with a small amount of smoke. When less than 0C it can take 4 or 5 bursts of turning the engine over and likes to kick out quite a big plume of smoke. Sometimes I think it just won't go, it really chugs and splutters before kicking into life.
2) In colder conditions the engine regularly cuts out after driving half a mile or a mile. I slow down to stop at lights or junction, change down and it cut's out. It starts immediately and doesn't cut out again for the whole day. This only happens from a cold start,ie from standing overnight or at the end of a work day and only happens maybe a couple of times a month. However when this happens steering goes stiff and the brakes arent as good. I live on a steep hill and have two young children - I am worried it will happen to my wife going down the hill so this really needs fixing.
I have had it tested and they found nothing. I know from other threads this kind of thing is notorious to diagnose but it must have been sorted before. I saw someone on another thread post that "they [HAYNES and a local electronics wiz] all seem to think that the problem is down to the fuel temperature sensor valve thingy". They seemed to have the same problem but they didnt report back.
Appreciate any help, thanks.
I have an 04 plate Focus Diesel 1.8 TDCi with 133k miles on the clock. I have two problems with it.
1) Starting when cold is on the verge of impossible. When it is around 10C it takes about 5 seconds of turning over then goes with a small amount of smoke. When less than 0C it can take 4 or 5 bursts of turning the engine over and likes to kick out quite a big plume of smoke. Sometimes I think it just won't go, it really chugs and splutters before kicking into life.
2) In colder conditions the engine regularly cuts out after driving half a mile or a mile. I slow down to stop at lights or junction, change down and it cut's out. It starts immediately and doesn't cut out again for the whole day. This only happens from a cold start,ie from standing overnight or at the end of a work day and only happens maybe a couple of times a month. However when this happens steering goes stiff and the brakes arent as good. I live on a steep hill and have two young children - I am worried it will happen to my wife going down the hill so this really needs fixing.
I have had it tested and they found nothing. I know from other threads this kind of thing is notorious to diagnose but it must have been sorted before. I saw someone on another thread post that "they [HAYNES and a local electronics wiz] all seem to think that the problem is down to the fuel temperature sensor valve thingy". They seemed to have the same problem but they didnt report back.
Appreciate any help, thanks.
Edited by superjeans on Friday 13th April 15:16
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