Having Problems Starting My 2010 Ford Focus TDCi - Any Suggestions?

Lgirlshaped on 15/06/2016 - 02:35
Last edited 15/06/2016 - 11:22 by 1 other user

Hi all, I'm hoping someone has a suggestion and can help me out. I've got a 2010 Ford Focus TDCi and I'm having some problems with it. I'm in Melbourne's North, also.

For maybe the last 6 months or so, very occasionally I would go to drive it and it would turn over but not start. After a couple of attempts it would eventually get going and I'd forget about it. Until about a week ago where I could not get it to start (turning over but wouldn't start at all). I called RACV and the guy seemed to not know much and suggested replacing the battery. I was dubious but had to get to work, so he replaced it, my car started and it was fine for about a week.

Then it did it again. I called RACV again, the guy seemed more competent and suggested it was fuel-related. I had it towed to a mechanic nearby who had good reviews online. They said they checked the fuel pump and line (I believe), and tried it with a different fuel pump, but they couldn't get it going and weren't sure what else to try so suggested taking it to a Ford dealer. They didn't charge me anything, which I thought was very generous. I then had it towed to the nearby Ford dealer who said they couldn't replicate the problem at all, and after having it for 3 days they suggested I pick it up. They said the fuel injector pipes weren't 100% tight and when they ran a scan they received no fault codes. They said if it happened again to contact them. This was on Friday last week. Charged me about $150.

Monday night it did it again in a supermarket car park. A stranger offered to help, and after trying to turn it over for about 10 minutes (much longer than I usually try for) it eventually started. It then started again on Tuesday morning. I called the Ford dealer who seemed a bit useless, had no further ideas and suggested an auto-electrician. He said they could take it in again and keep trying to replicate the problem, but I'm not keen on that idea for a number of reasons.

I can deduce a couple of things at this point:
1. The first time it wouldn't start was about midday and it hadn't been driven for about 12 hours prior. The last 2 times it wouldn't start I'd driven it for only a couple of minutes, turned it off while I went inside a shop for a couple of minutes, and when I went to start it again this happened. Once around 5pm, last time at 11pm. So it doesn't look to be a warm or cold issue?
2. It's been cold lately, being in Melbourne, but it's been happening on and off for a while (though it was eventually starting) and that wouldn't explain why sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't. I've started it numerous times at about 7am with no problem, also.
3. I've looked online and starting/cranking seems to be a common problem with the Ford Focus. Suggestions include kind of basic stuff like fuel filters, to sticking open/closed valves (EGR valve or anti-shudder valve / air intake shut-off valve). I mentioned this to the Ford dealer and he said he didn't think it would be the EGR valve and he didn't seem to know what an anti-shudder valve was.

I don't expect anyone to be a mechanic and diagnose my problem (but feel welcome to try!), but I'm getting frustrated. I work shift work so while I don't need a car it makes my life infinitely easier. I wouldn't say this to a mechanic, but at this point I'm pretty willing to throw money at the problem if someone can just bloody fix it. I'm probably going to try a friend's mechanic in Abbotsford tomorrow unless I get any better ideas (this place has diesel in their name, they are also auto-electricians, and my friend has had some really positive experiences with them). I've also posted on a Ford Focus forum, but while I've had a bunch of reads I've had no replies.

So if you've made it this far, thank you. If anyone can suggest a competent mechanic (or someone else) that you think might be able to help in the North or inner Melbourne, or somewhere close to public transport please let me know. Otherwise, if anyone can suggest anything useful, feel feel to contribute. Thanks all.

Automotive

Comments

  • idjces on 15/06/2016 - 06:46
    +1

    Replaced the spark plugs?

    Or if it is a diesel, glow plugs or whatever they are called

    • girlshaped on 15/06/2016 - 10:59

      Yeah, glow plugs. I mentioned they hadn't been replaced to the mechanic this morning, so I'll see what comes of it. Cheers.

  • voiletmay on 15/06/2016 - 07:32
    +1

    Good grief, I can't believe how incompetent all those mechanics have been.

    I had an on-off problem for 6 months or so. One day the car wouldn't start at all and the RACQ put in a new starter motor and my car is fine now.

    Just wanted to say good luck!!

    • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2016 - 09:27
      +1

      It's much simpler to diagnose and fix if the engine isn't turning over.

    • girlshaped on 15/06/2016 - 11:03
      +1

      Thanks, I appreciate it. I think I made a mistake taking it to the first place I did, as I don't believe they specialise in diesel vehicles. The mechanic I took it to today does and he mentioned he's had a similar car with the same problem before, so hopefully that's a good sign.

      • Johno1 on 30/01/2020 - 11:50

        Hey we've got what sounds like the very same issue with our ford focus 2010. How did you end up resolving this?

  • Sawtell on 15/06/2016 - 07:56
    +1

    I would check that the RACV put the right type of battery in. If the battery tests ok and is the right rating for the car then I would check the earth strap is intact and then replace the starter motor.

    Is it a manual or auto? If its a manual, next time it does it try and roll start it. This could rule out a few things if it works.

    • girlshaped on 15/06/2016 - 10:58

      The battery they replaced wasn't terrible to begin with, and it had been happening (but eventually starting) with it for some time. It could be the battery, but I'm not convinced it is based on what has happened thus far. Cheers though.

      Manual. Will do, thanks.

  • derweep on 15/06/2016 - 08:39
    +1

    agree on the starter motor, check to see if its cranking over correctly. Battery is new, have you check the terminals for corrosion or build up of deposit?, clean it up and see if it helps.

  • shaybisc on 15/06/2016 - 09:13
    +4

    It is not a starter motor problem since it is cranking.

    Try this diagnostic flowchart.
    http://www.ifitjams.com/starting.htm

    • Sawtell on 15/06/2016 - 16:09
      +1

      If the starter is iffy it could impact the crank angle sensor which is a common issue with ford diesels of that vintage.

  • derek324 on 15/06/2016 - 10:19
    +2

    The diagnostic chart refereed above is very good, but finding a mechanic willing to go through all steps at realistic price is going to be difficult. That feels to me like a fuel system or the fuel itself issue. You said that a mechanic "tried it with a different fuel pump" - I would still suspect the pump (maybe they used an old, broken fuel pump to test? did not connect it properly?). It may also be dirty fuel, water in fuel, rust or other dirt in fuel tank. I would find someone willing to completely drain the fuel system, and fill it in with new petrol (from different petrol station you normally use). Drained fuel should be visually inspected - is it clean? No junk floating in it?

    Fuel system is relatively complex, there may be a blockage, a small leak, a sticky (temperature dependent) part somewhere, or rust/metal/other particles sucked through the piping (typically from the petrol tank). Difficult to diagnose when it is intermittent, and expensive: mechanics base charge by time spend.

    EASY FIX: — well, not really a permanent fix, but it worked for me brilliantly in somewhat similar case years ago. Invest $10 in this product (there are many similar products): http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Nulon… IT WORKS! (it won't fix the problem permanently, of course). How to use it: "Spray a short burst directly into the air cleaner or air intake from a distance of 5-10 cm. At the same time activate starter button". Good for diesel and petrol engines, 2 or 4 stroke. Here is the product flyer: https://www.nulon.com.au/images/files/productbulletins/PB-SY…

    • girlshaped on 15/06/2016 - 10:55

      Cheers, I'll pick some up for next time it happens.

  • 2jzzzz on 15/06/2016 - 10:27
    +2

    Film it happening next time.

    Does it sound like the normal noise when you try to start it or a screech?

    Take it to a battery place and they can test the battery under load. Should be ok because it is a new battery.

    Does it only happen when it is cold, or happen after you drive, park and try to start it again while still hot?

    Id start with the cheapest stuff myself. Spark plugs, fuel filter, fuel system clean with the pour in tank stuff and air filter.

    • girlshaped on 15/06/2016 - 10:54

      Normal noise when trying to start it.

      It's happened hot and cold.

      Cheers.

  • Ryanek on 15/06/2016 - 10:28
    +1

    Sounds like a problem with the alternator mate.

  • girlshaped on 15/06/2016 - 10:53
    +1

    Cheers all. This morning I took it to the mechanic I mentioned and he seemed to know what he was talking about, and was quite surprised no one had yet replaced anything (included most of what has been suggested above). He didn't explicitly say it, but I get the impression from him that the first mechanic likely doesn't specialise in diesel and didn't know what to do, hence not replacing anything or checking anything else (apart from what the RACV guy said) and suggesting taking it to Ford. I'll see how it goes with him and be aware of the stuff mentioned here. Hopefully that'll be the end of it. :/

  • alabatusa on 15/06/2016 - 13:39
    +1

    Trade it in get a new vehicle, let ford deal with it. :)

  • Sawtell on 15/06/2016 - 16:18
    +1

    I read a post about a guy with a 2008 ford ranger (similar engine I think) who had similar issues and replaced everything he could think of - thousands worth. Ended up begin a faulty over pressure relief valve.

    • girlshaped on 15/06/2016 - 18:29

      Yeah, I've read a couple of similar stories unfortunately. I'm concerned I'm going to end up in the same position. :/

  • cryptos on 30/07/2016 - 12:36

    Maybe you already said it, but I would have thought the Ford dealer would have looked for the OBDII trouble codes? If none exist then it would seem odd..

    I've had similar issues on different cars where the crank angle sensor is faulty, typically a cheapish and easy part to replace

  • supnigs super skids on 01/08/2016 - 21:02

    Also check fuel pressure regulator. Could be that fuel may not be pressurised in the injector rail on crank.

  • pwrusr-com on 12/08/2018 - 12:53

    @girlshaped did you end up solving your issue?

    (Apologies for the bump, got a 2008 tdci focus manual with a similar issue and I'm leaning towards anti shudder valve cleanup or replacement)

    • Andy205 on 15/10/2018 - 19:40
      +1

      Anti sudder valve for sure, clean it out and refit 👍

      • pwrusr-com on 15/10/2018 - 19:55

        I did replace the anti-shudder valve (cleaned up all the gunk the best way that I could in the process) - the issue still remains (it won't crank).

        At this stage I'm leaning towards the solenoid or the starter motor

  • Andy205 on 15/10/2018 - 19:39

    You get this problem sorted??

  • Darren L on 14/02/2019 - 08:04

    Hi Everyone

    I have a Focus TDCI that was doing the same thing, cranking but not starting intermittently. I did all the checks previously mentioned in this forum. My battery was brand new.
    I finally found the cause and now my car starts as it should every time.
    My problem was the started motor, the carbon brushes and copper commutator had a build up of "black gooey" substance between the brush and copper contact surface, I took photos of this build up but I don't think I can post on here.The black gooey substance reduces contact between the copper and carbon brush so your starter does not crank as fast as it should to start a diesel engine.
    Anyway pull your starter motor out, pull it apart, use 400 grade wet/dry paper on the commutator,sand it just enough to get clean bare copper, lightly sand the 4 carbon brushes until you have clean carbon then reassemble/install the starter motor.
    Tip, you need to use 4 cable ties to hold the carbon brushes in the compressed position to allow the commutator to fit in when you reassemble the starter motor, cut the cable ties once the commutator starts fitting. Also be careful not to dislodge any vacuum hoses when you install the starter like I did.
    So the problem is your starter motor which is not stuffed, it just needs a clean up inside.

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