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Need help troubleshooting this one... Engine? Transmission? Something loose?

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SunDevilinFocus

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey everybody, I have a quick question for you focus experts.

Well maybe less than quick... I have had an incredibly strange problem with my Focus lately, (2003 2.3 Auto Sedan). It has this weird "off and on" vibrating/noise issue. I drive between where I live, Flagstaff, Az (in the mountains) and Phoenix, Az (very not in the mountains) so it takes some revving to get up hills. When I am at high RPM it sounds like there is almost a grinding or a strong rattling of something tapping against something else.

It doesn't sound related to the RPM, but actually the gear I am in. And it also doesn't happen all the time. It sounds differently depending on if I am going uphill or downhill (weird I know). Sometimes it happens only going uphill, and somedays its only going downhill. Somedays its not at all. Somedays its both ways.

After reading a number of threads on here with seemingly similar issues I have tried to hash out what it may be. My only thought is that maybe a motor mount is busted and causes the engine to move around while driving, causing the noise and vibrations. (You can feel it in the pedals, steering wheel, and shifter).

The problem isn't as bad at low speeds and low gears (in Flagstaff I average about 35 mph) but it gets really strange at higher gears.

The second part of this is that it has idled incredibly rough lately- rougher than usual. If I am coming to a stop (keep in mind I am automatic) and it is coming down into first gear I feel almost a "popping" in the pedals multiple times.

Any thoughts? This is the strangest problem I have had in a long time with any car. I am not automobile illiterate- but I can't for the life of me figure out what this is. Maybe its multiple issues?

I appreciate anyone's time and thoughts on this one.
 
#2 ·
It sounds like multiple issues to me. A motor mount wouldn't lower the idle, but it might increase vibrations at idle.

How many miles are on the vehicle? Do you hear any loud popping sounds when turning in sharp circles in a parking lot?

Ok, I'm thinking that it could be the carrier bearing on the passenger side axle. This would cause strange vibrations when driving, but not explain the low idle and vibrations at idle in P. To test it, you can put the vehicle on jackstands, and get under the car. Grab the axle and shake it up and down- it should not move in that direction. If it is bad, you'll likely see some damage as well.

To examine the motor mounts: Chock the wheels, put on the E-brake, have an assistant start the engine, and put the car in gear while you watch the engine. Have them give the car just a little gas- don't stand in front of the car of course, and see how much the engine moves in the compartment. If it moves more than an inch or so, then you have some bad motor mounts. There's really no point in figuring out which one because it's been the experience of many FF's that it's best to replace all 3 at the same time, otherwise the new mount puts extra pressure on the old mounts and these will shortly fail giving you the same problem as before you "fixed" it.
 
#3 ·
does your car have a dual mass flywheel it may be on its way out
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Thank you for the advice on checking the mounts, I will do that for sure.

As for the dual-mass flywheel... I have no idea. If it is an after-market part my guess is probably not. I bought it used though- so I have no idea what that guy put on it.
 
#5 ·
daidie said:
does your car have a dual mass flywheel it may be on its way out
Click to expand...
Ford uses a flex plate connect the torque converter in AT vehicles, not a flywheel. If I'm not mistaken, the dual mass flywheels are stock on SVT's only. I'm not sure if there is a dual mass flywheel available in the aftermarket for Zetecs or not. The Zetec is the same engine as the SVT, but the SVT's Getrag transmission uses a larger flywheel, and larger bell housing.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
So I just went out with my roommate to check it out. The engine moves A LOT. When he put gas on it, it moved a good 1 1/2 inch to two inches, but the biggest movement was when we would shift it from P to N. It looked like it wanted to crawl out of my car.

Could this also be why my transmission has been shifting really funny?

I am thrilled to have found this out- your advice was extremely helpful, thank you.

Any idea (just a completely vague number based on what you may have heard) on what the price of replacing 3 motor mounts may be? I know it'll vary per shop, but just curious. :)
 
#7 ·
definitely a transmission mount fault as your transmission shifts through the gears the engine will obviously move a small amount on gear changes as each gear engages and disengages, but not that much check all the mounts whilst shifting from reverse, neutral and drive when stationary. it should be noticeable as to which mount is gone.
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
daidie said:
definitely a transmission mount fault as your transmission shifts through the gears the engine will obviously move a small amount on gear changes as each gear engages and disengages, but not that much check all the mounts whilst shifting from reverse, neutral and drive when stationary. it should be noticeable as to which mount is gone.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I noticed how little it used to move previous to these strange vibration issues. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw how much the engine moves right now though. It is not at all normal. I may consider taking video of it though... just to be sure. It looks like someone has their hand under my car and when I shift they try to push the engine out of the compartment lol.
 
#9 ·
does the engine lurch forward alot or towards the bulk head (firewall)

if its forward then its prob the rear mounts
if its back then prob the front mounts

but check them all to be safe. we dont want engines falling out do we
 
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#10 ·
The engine does move a lot on autos when shifting around forward and reverse gears, it's pretty common. The key is to check when you give it gas. I would show you mine but it's hard to do myself... seems like mine shifted a good 10 or 15 degrees or so when I went from park to drive.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Gonna take video...

I'm going to take video and see what you guys think. Just now that I hear some of you saying a good amount of movement is normal.

I'll post it on here and see what you guys think.

Just to summarize...

  • The car shifts slowly
  • When starting the car the engine rushes (RPMs really high)
  • Vibration in pedals, shifter, and steering wheel
  • Loud noises at high RPMs as if something is loose

Gotta figure this thing out... I feel absolutely stumped.
 
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SunDevilinFocus
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