crappy fuel mileage

[curtisparker82]

ok if you were going to buy a new coil would you go stock or

MSD REPLACEMENT 4-TOWER COIL PACK, RED -- 4.097 in. L x 3.472 in. W x 3.349 in. H, 0.53 ohms primary resistance, 13.7 K ohms secondary resistance, 40,000 V maximum voltage, 3.9 mH inductance, 83:1 turns ratio
OR
ACCEL SUPER EDIS COIL, BLACK/YELLOW, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY -- 0.5 ohm primary resistance, 11.6k ohm secondary resistance, 85:1 turns ratio, 42,000 V maximum voltage,

both say Does not include mounting bracket, coil wire and ballast resistor;

[Top-Ace]

I am having the EXACT same problem with my Zetec ZTS. I have replaced plugs, wires, coil pack, fuel filter, air filter, pcv valve and hose, oxygen sensor, DPFE sensor, EGR solenoid, probably more I cant remember. I have a Snap-On Solus scanner and do not see any problems. Fuel trim is at a rock solid plus or minus 2, so no vacuum leak.

It is also stumbling when very cold at start up. Also less power going up hills.

I am getting around 24-25 maximum MPG all long distance highway, much worse in city. Honsetly at this point, I think the timing is slightly off. Maybe the exaust side cam timing is off a few degrees, which i know can cause these symptoms.

[curtisparker82]

Originally Posted by top-ace

i am having the exact same problem with my zetec zts. I have replaced plugs, wires, coil pack, fuel filter, air filter, pcv valve and hose, oxygen sensor, dpfe sensor, egr solenoid, probably more i cant remember. I have a snap-on solus scanner and do not see any problems. Fuel trim is at a rock solid plus or minus 2, so no vacuum leak.

It is also stumbling when very cold at start up. Also less power going up hills.

I am getting around 24-25 maximum mpg all long distance highway, much worse in city. Honsetly at this point, i think the timing is slightly off. Maybe the exaust side cam timing is off a few degrees, which i know can cause these symptoms.

that is what im thinking too to do my t-belt but i wanna put new cam gears on it when i do but cant find any adjustable ones...

[PWGuy]

Originally Posted by Top-Ace

I am having the EXACT same problem with my Zetec ZTS. I have replaced plugs, wires, coil pack, fuel filter, air filter, pcv valve and hose, oxygen sensor, DPFE sensor, EGR solenoid, probably more I cant remember. I have a Snap-On Solus scanner and do not see any problems. Fuel trim is at a rock solid plus or minus 2, so no vacuum leak.

It is also stumbling when very cold at start up. Also less power going up hills.

I am getting around 24-25 maximum MPG all long distance highway, much worse in city. Honsetly at this point, I think the timing is slightly off. Maybe the exaust side cam timing is off a few degrees, which i know can cause these symptoms.

So changing the timing belt will fix this or is more required to fix, if it's an exhaust side cam timing issue?

[Top-Ace]

Ya, basically the timing needs to be redone. Redone correctly. It can be quite difficult to get everything to line up perfectly. I'm not quite sure the methods with the focus, but it usually needs to be done a specific way to make sure there is no slack between the cam gears or elseware, and have everything line up perfectly.

[Magus2727]

^^ so your saying that you are proposing that the timing belt came out of timing instantaneously... only way that could occur was if the timing belt jumped a tooth or if the gear pulley became loose and slipped on the cam shaft.

[Top-Ace]

^^ If you would please inform us of where exactly you read that proposal in my post, I would appreciate that.

What would of happened is that timing belt was not done corretly, just off enough to cause problems.

[Magus2727]

Originally Posted by Top-Ace

^^ If you would please inform us of where exactly you read that proposal in my post, I would appreciate that.

What would of happened is that timing belt was not done corretly, just off enough to cause problems.

You said the timing might be off. The posts are about a sudden change of fuel economy. The Zetec timing is not VCT and is secured on the cam shaft by a very large heavy duty bolt that gets torqued down to 50 foot/lbs. The gear basically gets "pressed" onto the end of the cam shaft Their is no keying so if it was loose enough to slip then it would continue to slip. The stock cam shafts are keyed on the other end so they can only be locked one way when the gears are put on. the gears can only be locked when the motor is in Top Dead Center.

To change the belt (in a nut shell), you "lock" the cams. loosen the tension pulley, pull the belt, install the new belt and then re set the tension pulley.

So on a normal motor the only way the timing could change "overnight" was if the belt jumped which would cause a lot more problems then just bad fuel economy.

Edit: another thing to remember is that the Zetec motors are "old" as they get old the HP does drop ( a 1960's Mustang if with the stock motor will have less HP and fuel economy now then it did in the 60's ). I would check the IAC valve (that was not mentioned on your replace list on your previous post) in your case. and for the previous posters I would say dragging caliper, or stuck drum, or perhaps the system never goes into a closed loop state, or an array of other still possible reasons before thinking the timing is a problem

[Top-Ace]

IACV was a concern of mine, especially with the stumbling on really cold days for a minute. The fuel trim readings I am getting off of the scanner lead me to believe that is not the case though, including the bad gas mileage.

Oh I forgot to mention I replaced my fuel injectors too, and compression was very good.

In my integra gs-r there was a specific procedure to make sure the cam timing especially the intake one didnt move when tension was reapplied, but there was no way to lock the cams in. These symptoms (other than happening suddenly) still sound like a timing thing from what I have been reading especially for my case.

[Top-Ace]

Scroll down to the bottom of this link. http://aa1car.com/library/2004/us70444.htm

It provides an updated procedure to make sure the tension is set correctly on the focus if you have an older shop manual.

Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=PfPOZzNmh9Q
I want that software, seems better and cheaper then my snap-on solus. Interesting diagnostics on a focus ZETEC.

Of course on that video, the exhaust cam ended up being advanced like 60 degrees too far, and the engine still ran which is impressive.