Mk1 2.3 Auto Galaxy Power Loss

[Steven.Langdale]

Hello all, been a long time since I was on here!

 

Got a strange problem with my MKI (2000) 2.3 Auto Galaxy.

 

On short journeys of less that 20 miles the car runs perfectly, but anything over that, when you hit 25-30 miles you get sudden power loss that comes and goes. It's all working but just no guts. It will do this for either split seconds, so you can feel a judder like you are taking you foot off and on ther accelerator fast or lasts for 10-15 seconds where you basically have to floor it to keep going. after about 10mins / 10 miles give or take it will be fine and not happen for the rest of the journey.

 

I was thinking it may be something heat related?

 

I dont think its the auto box as it seems to run fine for the rest of the time.

 

I took it into my local Ford dealer who found some throttle related codes and replaced the throttle cable (which, it has to be said is better now) but the fault is still there. Not that I thought that would fix it anyway.

 

Any ideas folks?

 

Thanks

 

Steven

[Steven.Langdale]

I'm sure it's probably not good etiquette to bump your own posts, but I'm in need of some help here if possible.

 

Has nobody got any ideas on this one?

 

Thanks again

 

Steven

[chromedome]

The wife had a similar problem on her Focus. Turned out to be faulty coil pack.

 

When it's dark, check for any arcing around the coil packs.

[Seatdriver]

Definately a strong possibility that the coil pack is on its way out.

 

My 1.8 Mondeo went the same way, ran fine when cold and then began to loose power when it felt like it. Eventually it gave up completely and I ended up with a constant misfire.

 

Take off the coil pack and look underneath at the plastic potting . On my Mondeo it was white/cream coloured and I could see distinct fine arc track lines in the compound. fitted new one from Fords (

[Steven.Langdale]

Thanks for the replies guys, will have a look tomorrow morning and see what the look like.

 

Steven

[Mirez]

There are two coil packs on the 2.3 though - they sit above cylinders 2 and 3 with one HV lead out and into 1 and 4 from them. You may see arching but most likely you wont as they are potted units so unless its arching on one of the leads to 1+4 then it'll be an internal breakdown (which is quite common on them) They arn't cheap though, and diagnosing which one is the faulty one isnt that easy.

[Steven.Langdale]

After a quick hunt about, I came to a similar conclusion.

 

If it's not obvoius, I may have to take a punt and replace one or both and see what happens....

 

Thanks

[frogeye]

Hi Steven, Do please let us know the outcome of this - thanks

[Steven.Langdale]

All

 

A quick update.

 

Had a look at the coil packs - nothing obvious (no surprise there)

 

Got the Local Ford dealer to look at it (they owe me a freebie after they tried to fob me of with a car with a split brake vacume pipe, and therefore not much in the way of brakes!)

 

Getting it back from them on Monday, they recon is was the fuel filter. Not too sure it's that myself, but it cost me nothing and they did say they'd look again if it came back.

 

I'm beginning to think it would be easier to just relace the O2 sensor and coilpacks/HT's - anyone know where these are available apart from Ford?

 

Steven

[Steven.Langdale]

Hello all

 

An update...

 

First of all, a big thank you to everyone that posted, cos the main problem is fixed!!!

 

Got the car back from the dealer, no charge - still got the same fault!

 

I decided to bite the bullet (as I was going on a long journey and needed it fixed) and bought new MAF, Coil packs and O2 sensor.

 

I replaced the MAF and coil packs as soon as I got them, all worked OK but I couldn't take it out for a long run. Replaced O2 sensor last weekend.

 

Just been on a long weekend and about 500 miles round trip and the fault has gone.

 

I'm 99% sure it was a coil pack but replaced the lot anyway.

 

I'm also setting around 31mpg on a long run now instead of 28 so i'm assuming the O2 sensor was on it's way out.

 

Unfortuntely here's the BUT......

 

Since the O2 replacement (and battery disconnect for 20 mins) the car has difficulty idling after a restart when hot. When cold it's perfect but when you start it from hot you have to give it a little gas or the engine will just die. After 10-15 seconds of keeping the revs up (1000-1200) it will go into drive and be perfect. Doesn't stall at junctions etc.

 

I did think it may be the ICV but as all was OK before the O2 sensor replacement and battery disconnect I'm not so sure.

 

It was not a ford O2 sensor but is a direct replacment according to the guys I got it from.

 

Any ideas much appreciated ;)

 

Thanks

 

Steven