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53 Posts
Hello fellow Foci Enthusiasts,
I was wondering if you could give me your opinions on a few issues that my focus as been experiencing these last few weeks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
1) I noticed that when my Focus sits at Idle, it fluctuates between idling normally, and then occasionally surging (i think that's the word I'm looking for) low, which vibrates the whole car for a few seconds before returning to normal. This doesn't ALWAYS happen though, so there isn't a set pattern. I've noticed it is at its worst when I'm sitting at a stop sign or red light and the brake is applied. It vibrates terribly then, but again, it is only for a few seconds and then gone. However, this repeats much more often, so every 5 or so seconds it will surge and vibrate.
2) I've noticed that whenever it surges from the problem above, there is a burning smell that comes from the engine compartment. It goes away rather quickly, but will come back every time it surges.
3) Since these problems have been occurring, I've noticed a huge decrease in my gas mileage. (Don't get me wrong, city driving is terrible on mpg, but hear me out), I used to get roughly 15-17 in the city, and now I'm down to 5-6.
Since I'm a college student, and live 3 hours from home, the only thing I could think to do was add some HEET to my gas, feeling that maybe it had something to do with either a) Dirty Fuel Injectors b)Water in my gas or c) the cold weather. I have no idea on what else it could be.
Any questions you need answered I will try by best to assist with, and any insights are greatly appreciated.
In case my profile doesn't say, the Focus is a 2001 ZTS. Thank you!
I was wondering if you could give me your opinions on a few issues that my focus as been experiencing these last few weeks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
1) I noticed that when my Focus sits at Idle, it fluctuates between idling normally, and then occasionally surging (i think that's the word I'm looking for) low, which vibrates the whole car for a few seconds before returning to normal. This doesn't ALWAYS happen though, so there isn't a set pattern. I've noticed it is at its worst when I'm sitting at a stop sign or red light and the brake is applied. It vibrates terribly then, but again, it is only for a few seconds and then gone. However, this repeats much more often, so every 5 or so seconds it will surge and vibrate.
2) I've noticed that whenever it surges from the problem above, there is a burning smell that comes from the engine compartment. It goes away rather quickly, but will come back every time it surges.
3) Since these problems have been occurring, I've noticed a huge decrease in my gas mileage. (Don't get me wrong, city driving is terrible on mpg, but hear me out), I used to get roughly 15-17 in the city, and now I'm down to 5-6.
Since I'm a college student, and live 3 hours from home, the only thing I could think to do was add some HEET to my gas, feeling that maybe it had something to do with either a) Dirty Fuel Injectors b)Water in my gas or c) the cold weather. I have no idea on what else it could be.
Any questions you need answered I will try by best to assist with, and any insights are greatly appreciated.
In case my profile doesn't say, the Focus is a 2001 ZTS. Thank you!