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Ford Focus Care & Maintenance

309 messages,  Last post on Oct 18, 2009 at 1:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

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#276 of 309 Ford Focus Fuel Cap by lwen Jan 22, 2008 (2:04 pm)
The fuel tank cap on my 2001 Ford Focus is stuck. I thought it might be frozen, but now I'm not so sure. Has this every happened to anyone before? Any ideas on how to fix it, or what it would cost to have someone do it for me? Replies to this message: srfn7 (Apr 20, 2008 10:58 am)
#277 of 309 Block Heater by killawavedude Jan 30, 2008 (10:43 am)
Can anyone tell me where I find the block heater cord. I have a 2005 ZX4 S. Replies to this message: rapidrick (Jan 31, 2008 3:10 am)
#278 of 309 Re: Block Heater [killawavedude] by rapidrick Jan 31, 2008 (3:10 am)
Replying to: killawavedude (Jan 30, 2008 10:43 am) I've got an 03 ZTW and had the dealer install the block heater. Was not a simple job; they couldn't get a good seal at the freeze plug and had to re-order until they found one that worked. I think they went through 3 of them. I did get a loaner (more like a moaner...) car, so wasn't THAT horribly inconvenient, but a great investment for the two winters in North Dakota.   Bottom line, unless you are very mechanically adept, I'd leave it to a shop--glad I did.
#279 of 309 Focus 100K maintenance? by 0311vn Jan 31, 2008 (4:50 pm)
The manual says the platinum spark plugs should be replaced at 100K on my 01 Focus that has 97K on it. I noticed the milage has dropped off a little and figured the first thing to do is to replace the plugs. Years ago I used to work a bit on cars. Is there any thing other than changing the plugs that needs attention to car engines that are run by onboard computers? Are distributor points a thing of the past?   If I take the Focus to a mechanic to have the 100K maintenance done, what is the typical expense for that? At 120K when the timing belt is due to be replace, is it still the rule of thumb to also replace the water pump?   At this point, should I go ahead and have the timing belt and water pump replaced instead of waiting to hit 120K? Replies to this message: zombietom3 (Feb 01, 2008 7:21 pm)
#280 of 309 Re: Focus 100K maintenance? [0311vn] by zombietom3 Feb 01, 2008 (7:21 pm)
Replying to: 0311vn (Jan 31, 2008 4:50 pm) I don't think Ford has changed the maintenance interval recommendations for many years. I had my plugs replaced at just over 100k miles and then gas mileage dropped about 10%. After several months of that I consulted with the fleet mechanic where I work, who maintains all our Ford cars and trucks. He said the plugs the shop (not Ford) had installed in my car were too cold and I should replace with Ford (Motorcraft) parts. I did that and got back about half of the lost fuel efficiency. The other half must be lost due to change of commute about the same time I changed plugs.   The mechanic said there is nothing else to a tuneup besides new plugs as the computer will do the rest.   As for the timing belt and water pump, I had them replaced at 127k miles and thought I had pushed as far as I dared. You don't want the timing belt to fail on the road and make an expensive job way more expensive. I paid about $650 for that at non-Ford shop. I don't know if there are any warning signs that the timing belt is weakening/slipping/stretching/???, but maybe some others here know.   I think it's still standard to replace the water pump after spending the $r&$r to get at the timing belt and the water pump is right there.
#281 of 309 Ford Focus 2001 SE 2.3 147,000miles by bigbamadude Feb 01, 2008 (7:41 pm)
For all the do it yourselfers on the Focus: The car is great, it just starts having problems after the last payment is made. LOL With mine, the "check engine light" stays on. Started out as cutting out at crusing speeds, but not under load and not when the motor is cold. Went through 3 different certified mechanics and the Ford Service experts. Those guys do not work cheap either, All were temp. fixes. Have replaced vac. hoses, plugs, injectors, coil pack, plug wires. Finally got a shade tree mechanic to replace the fuel filter. Doesn't cut out any more, runs great. Engine light stays on. Now the freaking heater doesn't work. Did fix the cig. lighter after 5 years thou. LOL Going to flush the cooling system tomorrow. If that don't work, will buy a warmer jacket and stay saving money for a new car. Oh, yeah. Always replace the water pump whenever changing the timing belt, Always. If you don't, the old one will leak and will cost you another 100 or so to fix it. It is just their nature to do these things. Only other major thing I have done with my Focus is replace the struts, because I live on a washboard dirt road that beats cars to death. Still is a great little car. Now tomorrow when I start to flush the system, the motor will fall out. Oh well Replies to this message: zombietom3 (Feb 02, 2008 1:58 pm)
#282 of 309 Re: Ford Focus 2001 SE 2.3 147,000miles [bigbamadude] by zombietom3 Feb 02, 2008 (1:58 pm)
Replying to: bigbamadude (Feb 01, 2008 7:41 pm) You might try resetting the "check engine light" by disconnecting the battery pos lead for a short while. The computer will reset when you reconnect the battery. Then if the light comes back on after a few minutes or a few days or a few weeks there might actually be something wrong.
#283 of 309 Check engine light on my Focus by bigbamadude Feb 02, 2008 (4:33 pm)
On this one, have to disconnect the neg. cable to re-set the engine light. Leaving it disconnected tonight to see if the computor will dump all the errors. Car is running fine now. Had to flush it twice to get the heater core unstopped. Water finally came back clear. Took all freaking afternoon thou. Supposed to be 71 on Monday, so now will proably need the ac. Oh well.
#284 of 309 newbie, 02 zts 4DR w/tranny problems, please help by billiondolrbob Feb 03, 2008 (5:21 pm)
I will be driving along on the highway doing about 65mph and all of a sudden the transmission will start growling and it will downshift and hold around 2500 to 3000 rpm's even when I try to speed up it will not go any faster,   the service department gave me a tranny flush & a new filter , that didn't work. it does not happen all the time, it comes & goes. has it ever happened to you? is there a fix thanks for your help Replies to this message: kinni420 (Mar 01, 2008 1:46 pm)
#285 of 309 Re: newbie, 02 zts 4DR w/tranny problems, please help [billiondolrbob] by kinni420 Mar 01, 2008 (1:46 pm)
Replying to: billiondolrbob (Feb 03, 2008 5:21 pm) It happend to my 97 ford Escort after I flushed the radiator. may be I sprayed too much water in the engine compartment fo too long that i think went in the electrical stuff relating to transmision. And I started getting transmission problems. Wouldn't go in first gear or the final gear ie the fourth. Mine is automatic transmission. but after a few days as the water dried it got fine and is running fine even today say after 25000 more kilometers.

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