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plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus


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brittany1986
Novice

Jul 1, 2012, 8:11 AM

Post #1 of 16 (2660 views)
plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

I have a 2002 ford focus ran fine til the other day. Filled up the tank runs fine when its full.but soon as it goes below like to 3/4 of tank.full starts to putter and hesitate when trying to accelerate. When it putters there is a banging noise under the passage front floor board maybe exhaust from looking rpm but when car acts up i put in netraul and shut off and starts back up while its still coasting. Now.when i start it this morning sounds like the exhaust came loose or broke cuz its loud when i start it up n drive it. When car is at full tank seemed.fine but when its not completely full trays when problems start. What can that b


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 1, 2012, 8:43 AM

Post #2 of 16 (2639 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

For the moment just try something. Loosen gas cap and re-install and see if problem goes away. If it does then there is a problem with the evaporative emissions (probably a hose or stupid but can't say) which allows vapor/air in and out of fuel tank capturing fumes but can't.

If not then let us know and next is checking fuel pressure. Not so sure yet with a stumbling engine that exhaust is a problem itself or just doesn't like the way it is running,

T



brittany1986
Novice

Jul 1, 2012, 9:15 AM

Post #3 of 16 (2633 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

When i loosen gas cap do i then put cap back on tight or drive it loose? Its every time it goes below full.tank like 3/4 it starts doing it.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 1, 2012, 9:20 AM

Post #4 of 16 (2629 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

Just take it off, run the car as then there's no pressure in tank or vacuum. If and I say if that solves it it proves the problem. For plain safety on open web I don't want to say leave it off or loose and that will probably trigger a warning light. Just try that as a test. I won't be around for a few hours starting right now - others may catch this to carry on as needed,

t



brittany1986
Novice

Jul 1, 2012, 10:14 AM

Post #5 of 16 (2616 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

Okay then if that's the problem what do i need to do to fix it


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 1, 2012, 12:45 PM

Post #6 of 16 (2589 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

OK - Back now. First see if that changes anything so we aren't chasing down nothing. It is just consistent that it works fine when you have just filled up when the cap is off I hope (smile) that you are open to air and no vacuum exists in the gas tank and if by using fuel a vapor (air) isn't allowed in on top of the fuel it's fighting to pump it to engine - get the idea?

No specs at hand but the vapor on top of fuel in a gas tank isn't allowed to vent to the atmosphere so is run thru a system that captures the vapors as they expand like when sitting in the sun but still allows it to vent kinda like suction on the whole tank and fits that it can tolerate the 1st 1/4 but if locked tight would challenge fuel delivery to the engine.

Wait to see if that changes anything for a test as if it works again then the evaporative emissions system needs to be checked as to where and why it isn't working. If no change we go on from there,

T



brittany1986
Novice

Jul 1, 2012, 4:55 PM

Post #7 of 16 (2566 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

Ok did what u told me to do and so.far it hasn't done anything but as of right now is the test cats fuel level is down to where it always has the problems imma drive a lot more n c if it does it then if not u found the problem i hope


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 1, 2012, 5:14 PM

Post #8 of 16 (2557 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

You would think a blocked vent valve would cause some sort of EVAP trouble code to show up.

Would be nice to see what fuel pressure is doing when all this is occurring. Have you been under the vehicle to see what is banging around? Any engine trouble codes being stored?

Don't be surprised if your check engine light pops on for a EVAP leak code with the cap off.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 1, 2012, 5:23 PM)


brittany1986
Novice

Jul 1, 2012, 6:04 PM

Post #9 of 16 (2541 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

Nope no codes show up idk


brittany1986
Novice

Jul 1, 2012, 6:46 PM

Post #10 of 16 (2536 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

@tom no.lights come on. But so far so good with gas cap idea what do i need to do and fix so.i can tighten my cap. i want it.fixed right so what do i do now? Where is the evaporation emissions system locked what needs to be done there?


brittany1986
Novice

Jul 1, 2012, 6:50 PM

Post #11 of 16 (2534 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

Ok one.more thing when.car idels its rough sounds loud and shakes inside of car just a lil what's that


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 1, 2012, 9:18 PM

Post #12 of 16 (2515 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

Back again - keep in mind we are all volunteers here with whatever schedules.

Cap off and no difference: Pretty much I'm ruling out evaporative emissions for venting it as the source trouble. There should be a code waiting as it's not idling properly and alone that can + will make things all over the car feel wrong but probably just on the verge of stalling so the vibrations could just be the side effect and we need the source.

So now if the vehicle can be filled up to run OK again to get somewhere for more testing or do you want to do things yourself? I tend to think somehow fuel pressure is inadequate. A pressure test with just key on run without engine running should show pressure and it should hold pressure within a range where it can operate fuel injectors.

Note: The typical set up is a pump inside the gas tank allowed to pressure up for starting and maintain pressure for all the assorted driving conditions. It has a pick up screen, then a filter on to pressure regulator and should be returning fuel in a loop back to tank to keep that pump cool (electric motor) which is critical for them. For assorted reasons it can be low on pressure or plain shut down and not pump at all which would stop the engine from running completely.

If you are taking this on I/we need to know what is available to you for testing things out. If this full tank that seems to solve the issues for a while is throwing off the diagnosis then a full code reading even without a warning light on now should help guide to the problem area and choose the plan of attack.

At best this will probably need professional hands on diagnosis with the proper equipment to target. Know that for any reason an engine isn't running well it is hard on catalytic converter(s) up to destroying them. That is just adding insult to injury.

What is available to you for at least diagnosis and a fix?

Tom



brittany1986
Novice

Jul 2, 2012, 12:48 PM

Post #13 of 16 (2495 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

No tom with the cap off made a big difference hasn't done any of the problems i told u about just a lil hesitation still when cap off works great other then that lil hesitation while cap is off. What do i need to replace if it works fine with cap off just that lil hesitation


brittany1986
Novice

Jul 2, 2012, 12:54 PM

Post #14 of 16 (2492 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

No codes r coming up seems to work fine with gas cap off just a lil hesitation not like before. I want to b able to put my cap back on and car fixed right what do u suggest. Cap off works fine tad bit hesitation


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 2, 2012, 1:18 PM

Post #15 of 16 (2489 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

Sorry - I interpreted your test as it didn't change anything not that it improved performance.

Evap emissions have been around for decades but more involved now like many things. Again, the idea is not allowing raw vapors out to atmosphere so it goes thru a system that when you start up (usually) will burn off any collected raw fuel (hydrocarbons) but still needs to allow your sealed fuel system air in to displace fuel out.

A non automotive analogy would be drinking a soda out of a covered paper cup with a straw that sealed tight.........cup would collapse if not ventedCrazy {{Kind of how my mind works sometimes}}

Test worked for this and other issues could be part or caused by running lousy - dunno and yet to be found out. IMO, first is visual inspection for damage by road debris, anything unplugged as the unburned collected gasses would be up front so lines are running to and from gas tank. Long by 2002 this stuff is monitored by the car's computer so code readings if nothing found are still in order. It might be stuck, bent, plugged or wiring unplugged with anything to do with the system.

Look around for anything obvious. Some chance that if your gas cap is not the right one or somehow got mixed up with some other one that it is the problem!

T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 2, 2012, 4:14 PM

Post #16 of 16 (2473 views)
Re: plz help!!! problem with 2002 ford.focus Sign In

If you have vibrations going on inside the vehicle while the engine is idling or in gear with your foot on the brake, you probably have a bad right side engine mount.









Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.






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