LR Starting issue

GTENVY · 03-03-2012, 05:25 AM

Hey guys,

Have noticed recently when starting the focus after it has been sitting for awhile e.g over night when starting it idles rough and without giving the throttle a nudge it shudders and dies. It starts back up no problems and idles fine. Anyone else had this issue??

Fast Eddie · 03-03-2012, 11:45 AM

I've never previously mentioned this technique but sometimes in my MK1 if I don't put enough pressure on the key when starting it it doesn't engage the automatic choke and does exactly what you've described. So maybe try putting a LITTLE more pressure on the key when starting it and see what happens.

Hope that makes sense.

GTENVY · 03-03-2012, 11:02 PM

Tried it tonight on the way to night shift, not sure if it worked or not. Will try it over then next week to ensure thats what the issue is. Cheers for the advice, will let you know how I go.

photn · 08-03-2012, 03:34 PM

mine does that sometimes as well. i would urge you to check your maf sensor, take it out and give it a blow. dont spray it with anything just blow the dust off.

GTENVY · 10-03-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

mine does that sometimes as well. i would urge you to check your maf sensor, take it out and give it a blow. dont spray it with anything just blow the dust off.

Cheers photn, will have a look tonight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie

I've never previously mentioned this technique but sometimes in my MK1 if I don't put enough pressure on the key when starting it it doesn't engage the automatic choke and does exactly what you've described. So maybe try putting a LITTLE more pressure on the key when starting it and see what happens.

Hope that makes sense.

I tired it and it sort of works, sometimes. I still get a rough idle then it dies if I dont give it some juice.

Fast Eddie · 10-03-2012, 01:19 PM

OK, that's blown my theory so I'd tend to go along with Photn's.

ivorya · 13-03-2012, 08:28 PM

Ok, mine had this problem around a month ago. (2002 LR Focus)

Get someone to start ur car whilst you stick your head over the throttle body. Listen carefully for any vacuum leaks.
I had cleaned my throttle body, check MAF etc etc, ended up being a vacuum pipe. Frustrating..... yes!!

Mine has just started to run rough again now, at 150K, going to book in for timing/auxilary belt change. Anyone no how much that'll roughly cost?