[d14bat]

Hi,
Got an 01 ford focus zetec 1.6 which has done 70k.
My problems are (1) starting and (2) engine ticking over eratically with noise coming forfrom air in takefilter.
Ok, those problems in detail;

(1) Starting. When cold and i turn the key for the electronics of the engine to boot up i get a strange noise from the fuel pump as its charging. it almost sounds like a squeak. When i turn the key the engine almost kicks in as normal, then on the point of ignition it feels as if the engine is about to start and it goes back to turning over again.. its almost as if the ignition is extinguished and after a few seconds( 5 or 10 normally) it kicks in and starts.
I have spoken to my mechanic who wondered if it was maybe the fuel pump needing replaced. He thinks that if its faulty then thats why its taking so long to start. Once the engine has been running and is warm the noise off the pump during the boot up is the normal "bzzzzz" sound as the engine charges the pump, and the starts a lot better. I have had a fuel injection cleaner thru the engine and it makes no diffrence to the starting.
(2) Ticking Over. when my engine ticks over it has strange kind of pattern whre the engine revs go up to about 11/1200 then drop to 900 revs, within a cycle of a second. My mechanic says there is a strange sound from the air intake. He removd the fuel potentiometer and the engine dropped to its normal revs when idle at first then started doing it again. He has replaced the fuel filter but no joy.Again he thinks it could be Engine management problems and says he has never had any problems like this with a focus ??
None of these problems show any fault codes on the engines computer.

If anyone has any idea with any of these problems or has came up against them before i would be greatful for any help.
Thanks
Darren,
Ayrshire.

[Sussex Patrol]

Sounds like your fuel pump is noisy but without hearing it-it is hard to say. As for the idling problem the first two things to check would be clean the throttle body and idle speed control valve.......also for any air leaks as you seem to have a noise from the manifold area???

[fordmechanic]

Do a fuel pressure test on it.........what is a fuel potentiometer,never heard of one of those.........if your mechanic is disconnecting things the PCM will run the engine rich in open loop mode,,hence temporairily over coming a lack of fuel....... a fuel pressure test on the road is the best bet,but the equipment that is used for this that is safe to use on road test is awfully expensive,hanging fuel gauges out of a partially closed bonnet is not the way to go,,also off the record and i take no responsibilty for this,,,the fuel pumps on focus are known to fail,,,,,,,so it needs testing rather than guessing as no doubt SP would agree

[d14bat]

thanks

thanks guys will print off these answers and other similar ons i have found and take them to my mechanic. Got an option on a used fuel pump that i will buy to replace the dodgy one i think i have. will post results...fingers crossed !!
Darren.

[d14bat]

update

put a used fuel pump in and its still starting the exact same way with that crazy squeak somewhere from the back of the engine when u turn on the peignition electrics on from cold.... fuel pump has made the response better tho so it wasnt total waste of money...!!

can anyone help ???