2004 Focus ZX5 2.3l Hesitates, lack of power - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

whazzup · 09-30-2011, 12:34

Hi all. I have an 04 Focus ZX5 2.3l 5 spd that hesitates on the freeway. It also lacks power when taking off, especially in 2nd gear. Shifting to 3rd is not much better. Idles fine and revs good in neutral. It doesnt hesitate in 2nd or 3rd but feels like I'm towing a 2000lb trailer. Here are the things I've done already.
Fuel pressure, ok 35lbs while testing (never dropped)
plugs, ignition coils.
fuel filter
cleaned MAF sensor,
Compression test, ok
I read somewhere it might be the EGR sensor DFP something. I disconnected the vacuum hose to the EGR and nothing changed. I suppose it could be a clogged catalytic but would that cause hesitation on the freeway?

**Bert** · 09-30-2011, 12:39

The cats can do that but they don't usually go out unless something else is amiss causing them to burn up. Autozone will pull codes for free.

**djzx3** · 09-30-2011, 13:27

How many miles are on the stock cat?

And I moved this to the focus section of the forum.

**R.S.LOGAN** · 09-30-2011, 13:51

Agree with Berts suggestion . Other possible cause could be a worn timing belt that may have jumped .

**djzx3** · 09-30-2011, 18:32

If a worn timing "Chain" Is the problem, I would get it taken care of quick, the 2.3l Duratec is a interference motor.

**R.S.LOGAN** · 10-01-2011, 01:36

If that year / model has a timing chain instead of belt , ignore my suggestion on belt but checking timing might be an idea .

**djzx3** · 10-01-2011, 10:16

I sometimes get confused too, but always remember Zetec DOHC or SOHC are belts along with the SVT Zetec, but the SVT Zetec is a interference motor, unlike the normal Zetec which is non interference.

And as far as the SPI goes, I believe that is a belt too, but non interference. And you already know both Duratec's are chains and are interference motors.

A timing kit from RockAuto I believe is around $125, and that has the Gates name on it. As far as timing pin and bar? You can make one with the measurements from a Haynes manual, or MassiveSpeedSystems.com sells a kit that has the bar and pin for $35.

whazzup · 10-03-2011, 12:30

Just changed the TPS for the heck and still same thing, perhaps even worse. Bad hesitation at 2500rpm indicating a bad miss. The whole engine sounds like its bogging when I shift through the gears. It used to be a higher pitch reving sound but sounds much lower pitch like its loading up. The car only has 77,000 miles. I figure a clogged up cat would be a gradual performance loss but this happened quite suddenly.

**R.S.LOGAN** · 10-03-2011, 12:35

Checked camshaft position sensor / wiring ?

whazzup · 10-03-2011, 14:09

I'll check that. Would an oxygen sensor cause these symptoms?