2000 focus started missing and sputtering

[94&92Astro]

After noticing that it started missing and sputtering almost like the wires were on the wrong plug or something (I did double check this) Also changed the plugs and wires to no avail. In fact problem just seemed to get worse. I have been told the coil could be a issue. The car runs fine in the morning until it warms up then starts what seems like a dead miss. This continues and never lets up until the next morning. I've also noticed the fan will kick on when the a/c is off and the car is not yet warm which doesn't make any sense. Right now it is little more than a yard ornament with a radio as I don't feel it will make it two laps around the block. I feel it is something more than a loose or bad vacumn line as it seems to encounter a near death experience. I am going to check the coil for cracks or anything else unusual and triple check the wires for proper placement--also pull the plugs to try and determain which cyl is actually missing. I guess I could try to change the fuel filter for laughs (I guess it could be) Oh well gotta get busy, I think it is the kids wondering if the car is fixed yet!

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by 94&92Astro

After noticing that it started missing and sputtering almost like the wires were on the wrong plug or something (I did double check this) Also changed the plugs and wires to no avail. In fact problem just seemed to get worse. I have been told the coil could be a issue. The car runs fine in the morning until it warms up then starts what seems like a dead miss. This continues and never lets up until the next morning. I've also noticed the fan will kick on when the a/c is off and the car is not yet warm which doesn't make any sense. Right now it is little more than a yard ornament with a radio as I don't feel it will make it two laps around the block. I feel it is something more than a loose or bad vacumn line as it seems to encounter a near death experience. I am going to check the coil for cracks or anything else unusual and triple check the wires for proper placement--also pull the plugs to try and determain which cyl is actually missing. I guess I could try to change the fuel filter for laughs (I guess it could be) Oh well gotta get busy, I think it is the kids wondering if the car is fixed yet!

Possible breakthrough--I pulled each plug wire one by one and when I pulled #3 there was no change in the way it idled. This definitely got my attention--I took a new plug--inseted the #3 wire on it and grounded it to the car and --NO SPARK. I repeated this on each of the other wire and had plenty spark. Yes I got lit up a couple times--but never with the # 3 wire. I would think this indicates a bad coil --am I on track here guys--help!

[Davescort97]

The #3 wire could be bad.

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

The #3 wire could be bad.

That is a possibility even though I have a new set of wires on it. After playing with it for a while and getting a little help from mechanics that will work for beer, it seems like we can raise some spark after changing the #3 wire with an old one. But it remains intermitant.The only constant is that the #3 cylinder does nothing to help the engine run. I have a new oem coil coming from e-bay. It has to be either compression, fuel delivery or spark in that fricken cyl. After swapping out the coil (if no help) I will get my hands on a compression tester and also pull the injector and take a look at it--(clean or replace) I will post any progress or lack of this weekend.

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by 94&92Astro

That is a possibility even though I have a new set of wires on it. After playing with it for a while and getting a little help from mechanics that will work for beer, it seems like we can raise some spark after changing the #3 wire with an old one. But it remains intermitant.The only constant is that the #3 cylinder does nothing to help the engine run. I have a new oem coil coming from e-bay. It has to be either compression, fuel delivery or spark in that fricken cyl. After swapping out the coil (if no help) I will get my hands on a compression tester and also pull the injector and take a look at it--(clean or replace) I will post any progress or lack of this weekend.

The problem is solved--As soon as I changed the coil, everything ran fine. I never had to check the compression or the injector. The old coil had a few cracks running through it that really could not be seen until removed from the vehicle. I hope this helps someone else with simular issues.

[wafrederick]

I have seen worse and ones with the 2.0 single overhead cam are known for this,worn piston rings and pistons which do not last,up to 150,000 miles.The 2.0 SOHC vin P is not a good engine and it is very hard to find used.I know a yard that gets calls for these engines and it is cheaper to put in new piston rings and pistons instead.I have seen two do this so far running bad.

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

I have seen worse and ones with the 2.0 single overhead cam are known for this,worn piston rings and pistons which do not last,up to 150,000 miles.The 2.0 SOHC vin P is not a good engine and it is very hard to find used.I know a yard that gets calls for these engines and it is cheaper to put in new piston rings and pistons instead.I have seen two do this so far running bad.

Yo, it's an old focus- If mine lasts to 150K--it's done it's job! I fixed this problem for $67 total---Parts are plentiful and cheap--I paid $2400 dollars for this one to get back and forth from school-work and it has done a good job for 27 months and still going with little down time. Who in the world would change the engine--it's like trying to change butane in a bic lighter- just throw it out and count your blessings. If I can't fix it in my driveway for a reasonable amt of time and/or money--off to the junkyard it goes.