Focus Vibrations - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

chevaps · 10-03-2004, 08:52

Ive had my Focus SR for 2 weeks now and im not exhagerating here, and you guys must think duhh, we know this, but it is really an awesome car to drive. Light years ahead of the EB Falcon i drove before being written off. But i like it so much, that every sqeak, every shudder, every vibration gets me worried.

I might be getting paranoid here, but i keep getting this vibration from the front when im accelerating between 1600 - 2000 revs and i cant remember if it was there when i first drove the car. It only ever happens in that range, and only when the engine is under load (cant hear it when free reving). Any other Focus owners who can hear this vibration in this range when accelerating?

ST170X · 10-03-2004, 14:50

I had a vibration with my ST170 & it was loose engine & gearbox mounting bolts. Maybe get them to check everything. Broken Engine mounts are also a problem with these. This causes more like a knocking sound as the engine gearbox twists when changing gears or applying accelerator.

If its a more tin like higher pitched sound, it could be the exhaust shroud or skid pan under the engine vibrating.

Regards Mark

whippet_zetec · 10-03-2004, 23:28

my focus is 2,500km old and I think I have the same noise, I had put it down to an exhaust cowling being loose or something and am going to get it checked this Friday when it goes in for its 3,000km service.

The other noise i have is a rattling cluthc when cold, leave it in nuetral when just starting and the clutch rattels away, stops rattling when you put the clutch pedal in and starts again when you let the clutch pedal out but only when cold.

Zetec · 10-04-2004, 00:02

I had exactly the same - diagnosis -> broken engine mount, fixed within an afternoon under warranty, good as gold.

chevaps · 10-04-2004, 02:52

yeh, i was just thinking that is it was something loose or broken, it would keep vibrating at all rev ranges. This is just peculiar, coz it just happens more so between 1700 - 2000 revs and thats it.
If i want to get it checked out, do i have to wait till my 3000km service or can i bring it in any time?

Timmeh · 10-04-2004, 03:41

You can take it in any time you feel the vehicle is not performing correctly, don't have to wait until the 3,000km service. All the best with it.

Tim

chevaps · 10-30-2004, 04:16

Well i got my car back yesterday from some warranty servicing and no more vibrations

and all but one spot of the paint work has been fixed up.. im sure they just missed it. Overall im happy with the result, no hassles, no major dramas, the problems solved within 2 days.
He said the vibrations were coming from a brake line touching a bolt coming out of the chassis somewhere, and cant remember if he mentioned whether the brake line or the bolt was outta place and had to look at another focus to see what should sit where.

Im prolly gona sound really stupid now, but ive alwayz heard from everyone that mechanics will fix one thing but something else thats wrong will pop up, and im not saying these guys are dodgy, in fact they seemed like really friendly people and have heard alot of positive stuff about my dealer (thankgod i got a good one), but i really listen sharply to the sounds my car makes and picked up a sound coming from the exhaust which i "pressumably" never heard before. Its like a burbling sound when the revs drop after free reving, especially when i give it some (5000rpm).
Im hoping this is normal and its just something resonating in the muffler/s, its not excessively loud, but i can definately hear it from the cabin with the doors closed. Any ideas guys? I just wana be convinced its normal and im allll good :) but if not, something will be done about it

Zetec · 10-31-2004, 14:43

Sounds like normal to me... sounds like Tim had the same sound in his CL (which as you know is identical). If you wanna hear burbling though, you need to hear my car, it farts, coughs and screams like a chesty smoker with diarrhoea but when you floor it, it runs like a scalded cat!!! I'm in LOVE!!! (By the way I have an aftermarket exhaust!!!) but seriously, it sounds like you've got a normal exhaust to me. Tim - what was your eventual outcome?

Timmeh · 10-31-2004, 16:39

My exhaust was classified as normal - the resonating vibrating sound is just the way the rear muffler is shaped, apparently. I have gotten used to it but it can sound cheap, the whole things being replaced anyway so I am not too concered about it. Same symptoms as yours tho.

Tim

chevaps · 10-31-2004, 22:08

Well thats orite since others hear the burbling.... so im not imagining things. Haha its does sound bloody cheap which is why its sprung up my attention. I hate the sound the ricey civic and swift exhausts and i just hope to hell it doesnt end up as bad as those things. Especially when they go hard redlining their cars and the exhaust just makes a BAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRBBB sound. Yuk!
I hope to change the exhaust soon anywayz, here in Perth we have a place called Genies (dunno if its just in Perth or other states too) which makes awesome full exhaust systems at reasonable prices. From what i read on other posts in this forum, a 2 1/4 inch all the way is the way to go. Anyone suggest anything else? I just want a nice throb without that rice sound.