Need help! Zetec went ?????

[rangerbay]

I was passing a car today at about 6000 rpm, (automatic) and my motor got a sulfur smell and then wouldn't run worth a crap! It had been running good, but had an irregular idle. I dont think the cat is bad.
The cranckcase tube ( runs from the front of the engine as a hard tube, going into a rubber hose just below the thermostat, and runs to the back of the motor to just below the tb.) had gotten flat as a flitter at the back of the motor, so I replaced it. I removed the negative cable while replacing it. I put the cable back, idled the motor for several minutes, and it idled perfectly. I ran the car down the road 5 miles, it ran perfect, but when I hit passing gear, at 6000 rpm's it just started running like crap. Like an old plugged up carburater, and just plugged up sounding and rough. Then I smelled sulfur. It is also does not respond to throttle input immediately, but sluggish. The sulfur smell is gone, probably just a result from the long idleing. The cat does not rattle, and the exhaust has no color.
What could it be? Valve? Cat? Timing belt teeth? I replaced the plugs, not better. Help!

Bill

[Sponsor]

[sleepyboy]

Moved you to the Technical Chat area so more people could see your problem.


Did you change the PVC valve when you replaced the hose? I've had my cat break in clog before it made the car very slugish just trying to keep up with normal traffic. Wait till it gets dark and go for a little drive. Then pop the hood and look at the cat. If it's bad it may be glowing red hot in spots. Mine got so hot it turned blue. How many miles are on your car? T-belt should be done around 100-120k mi on the normal zetec

[rangerbay]

Originally Posted by sleepyboy

Moved you to the Technical Chat area so more people could see your problem.


Did you change the PVC valve when you replaced the hose? I've had my cat break in clog before it made the car very slugish just trying to keep up with normal traffic. Wait till it gets dark and go for a little drive. Then pop the hood and look at the cat. If it's bad it may be glowing red hot in spots. Mine got so hot it turned blue. How many miles are on your car? T-belt should be done around 100-120k mi on the normal zetec

Its got 135000 on it, original belt. I know! I did not replqace the pvc. I'll do that tomorrow. It feels like the motor is running on 3 cylinders. The old plugs looked real good, replaced them last year.
Never had any problems with this Focus, or my 01 wagon. It did this suddenly at high rpm's.
Thanks for the reply.

Bill

[disciplerocks]

My money is on the converter, but you could try a tune up of your ignition system.

[sleepyboy]

At that mileage I'd definitely get the belt changed. It could have very well jumped time or even lost a tooth when you gave it the beans. That could easily cause sluggish response due to improper timing. Then again the converter could also be on it's way out. I'm leaning towards the t-belt though. Take the cover off and turn the motor over by hand and inspect it. You'll notice if it's cracked or has missing teeth.

[rangerbay]

Originally Posted by disciplerocks

My money is on the converter, but you could try a tune up of your ignition system.

I did plugs, wires, etc. last year. It just seems odd that I had the sulfur smell, ( 1st time ever) at the same time the engine went screwy. Maybe it will be a clog like sleepyboy had. No cel's at all. Its like it lost a cylinder.
Thanks,
Bill

[rangerbay]

Im going to pull the cat off andgrind it out. We'll see what that does. I'll also take a peek at the t belt.

Good thing I dont have much to do this week!

Bill

[sleepyboy]

Take a peek at the belt before you go pulling the cat off. Trust me it sucks trying to get everything out of it.

[rangerbay]

I'll look at the belt Sunday. I do hope its still good. I can replace the cat or gut it, but the t belt is too much for my old and tired ass. Plus, thats more than I dare try.

Thanks for the help.
Bill

[rangerbay]

If the belt broke, would the engine run at all? This is NON inteference, correct? Or inteference with dished pistons so as not to intefere?
Since the engine runs, albeit like it has lost a cylinder, could the belt be missing teeth or a tensioner broke, moving the timing aroud?
It has actually improved a teeny weeny bit, and I have done nothing, yet. Still, its way off. Im hoping its the converter. If it is, I may go with the svt header, orp, extra muffler.

Bill