Small niggle with WS engine

doctamick · 24-09-2009, 11:51 AM

Hey All,

The last few times I have driven my car, I have noticed that the engine runs a little rough when cruising in fifth gear at about 60-65 km/h. It feels as though there is a slight misfire under light loads at this low rpm range (approx 2000 rpm). It seems to only occur when the engine is cold, and does not happen after 5-10 minutes of driving.

I wonder if there is some build up on the plugs. I usually do primarily long drives from Melbourne to Geelong, however in the last couple of weeks I have been doing many short trips of only approximately 10 minutes. So maybe the engine is running rich during most of this period (due to cold start settings) and does not have time to burn off any carbon deposits on the plugs?

I am not sure if this is related to the stalling / flat spot problem described in this post: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...8&page=1&pp=25

The car is a manual WS Fiesta Zetec and has done 13,500km. So it hasn't had its first 'real' service. Did anyone with a manual car get an ECU update on any of their services? (I know that there was one for the auto.)

Any of your experiences would be great, as it will provide me with more 'ammunition' when I speak to the dealer about it at the 15k service.

JClarke · 24-09-2009, 01:25 PM

It may be related to the stalling/flat spot - or due to the fuel impacting with the engine. If it stalled spot on, and you attempted to start with no luck, try and give it a good rev and start. But it is not a good idea to be in 5th gear during the 60 - 65km/hr range -- best to remain on 4th in the mid -high's (3500 rpm)

Piotr · 25-09-2009, 11:03 AM

Don't labour the engine, especially when its cold

doctamick · 28-09-2009, 01:30 PM

Thanks for the comments. Has anyone had any experiences like this with the 1.6L WS engine?

I don't believe that cruising (not accelerating) at 2000 rpm in 5th gear is labouring the engine. There still seems to be adequate response at this load/rpm range and no strain on the engine.

Also, I don't think that cruising at such high revs (3500rpm) is an adequate solution to the problem... apart from the the adverse affects this will have on my fuel consumption. ;)

Busted · 28-09-2009, 01:44 PM

Change back to 4th. Problem solved!
You will more than likley be using more fuel in 5th @ 60-65ks than you would be in 4th. Even with the higher revs. you may not think that the engine is labouring but it will be. There such a good engine thay have the ability to hide the fact your in the wrong gear.

doctamick · 28-09-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busted

Change back to 4th. Problem solved!
You will more than likley be using more fuel in 5th @ 60-65ks than you would be in 4th. Even with the higher revs. you may not think that the engine is labouring but it will be. There such a good engine thay have the ability to hide the fact your in the wrong gear.

No, it is NOT problem solved. Even if the engine was labouring (which it is not), it should not misfire at 2000rpm.

I do not want to move this thread onto the topic of economical driving techniques, so can you please only provide comments if you have had a similar experience.

Busted · 28-09-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctamick

No, it is NOT problem solved. Even if the engine was labouring (which it is not), it should not misfire at 2000rpm.

I do not want to move this thread onto the topic of economical driving techniques, so can you please only provide comments if you have had a similar experience.

Well out of the 4 replies 4 peaple think you may be labouring the engine & think that it may have somthing to do with the problem you have. Before you dismiss the 4 peaple who are trying to help you why don't you try & see if driving in 4th @ 60-65ks when the engine is cold changes anything.

PS. I'm sorry for saying problem solved I should have said maybe problem solved.

Ben85 · 28-09-2009, 04:41 PM

I kno i have a WQ, but since new, hot or cold my car has run fine in top slot upwards of 50kph, so i agree with you doctamick, your car should run fine in top slot doing over 60kph and if it doesnt there is a problem.

Dustproof · 28-09-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctamick

Thanks for the comments. Has anyone had any experiences like this with the 1.6L WS engine?

I don't believe that cruising (not accelerating) at 2000 rpm in 5th gear is labouring the engine. There still seems to be adequate response at this load/rpm range and no strain on the engine.

Also, I don't think that cruising at such high revs (3500rpm) is an adequate solution to the problem... apart from the the adverse affects this will have on my fuel consumption. ;)

Cruising in 5th at 60Kph is fine, the engine will pull smoothly. My WS has 4000Km's on it and is getting better and better, if your car is causing you problems I would whip around to Ford and tell them to fix it ... don't forget to say please, they like that :sm_headba

BruceT · 28-09-2009, 10:02 PM

My WS 1.6 is smooth down to 1500 rpm in 5th - about 50 km/h - although acceleration from there is slow. By the way, what fuel are you using?

I'm not an automechanic, but I could imagine several possibilities such as ignition timing off or fuel injectors need cleaning. Is it idling rough as well? Best to get it checked.

greenfoam · 29-09-2009, 07:01 AM

I agree they are fine in top gear at 1500 rpm and up. I drive in 5th everywhere pretty much :P it does use less fuel than 4th. There's a definate problem with it if it's missing at 2000 rpm (or anywhere). Just take it into the dealers and tell them to fix it. Ours will be going in for the 30k service with in a month. No real problems with it apart from the usual struggle with getting the thing in reverse (can't be much steel left on reverse gear by now). We are minmising the damage by selecting reverse the night before when it's parked, otherwise getting reverse can be quite difficult on a cold morning. I wonder if the clutch needs adjusting or something because you can't go from 1st to reverse with the car moving at all, total impossible with lots of grinding

Fi.ES.TA · 29-09-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenfoam

I wonder if the clutch needs adjusting or something because you can't go from 1st to reverse with the car moving at all, total impossible with lots of grinding

Definatley not reccomened in any manual car and i reckon somewhere
in the users manual it will tell you not to do this.

JClarke · 29-09-2009, 10:03 PM

Fi.esta's correct - I have seen the quote in the manual myself - not recommended to do so, just give it a nice jab when you turn into reverse, and you're good to go...

south21 · 30-09-2009, 07:57 AM

The manual recomends you wait 5 seconds before putting it into reverse, once stopped.

doctamick · 30-09-2009, 09:56 AM

Thanks for the feedback.

Busted: Sorry if I sounded rude in my previous post, but I don’t believe that I should have to avoid this rpm/load range, just to avoid the problem.

BruceT: I use Caltex Vortex 95. It always idles smoothly.

It seems like others have not experienced the same problem. I was hoping that it was a known issue, that had a known remedy.

Anyway, I will discuss it politely with my Ford dealer at the 15k service within the next week or so. The problem does not happen all the time, so it may be difficult to diagnose.