Car Problem ? Maybe ?

[cpjitservices]

Hi all,

 

Ive noticed a problem that has seemed to crop up in the last few days.... Ive got a 1.6 Zetec SE.

 

Sometimes changing from 2nd to 3rd, if the revs are a tad low (30 mph say).. The car judders and changing down and accelerating works then change back to 3rd which is fine. I'm a new driver so is this my error or is something wrong with the car ?, does it sometimes if i'm in a 40, and I change from 3rd to 4th and the revs are a bit low or im creeping my speed up if I'm accelerating it 'Judders' until I change down, Changing down to 3rd or 2nd is fine I can accelerate again.

 

Sometimes slowing from 60, changing down to 4th.. if I have to accelerate again it judders slightly - changing down to third I can take off no problem.

 

ALSO, i've noticed any rapid acceleration or revving of the engine there's a slight 'Hiss' from the engine for a second or 2 as the revs climb... is this normal for a Zetec ?

 

 

Thanks in Advance.

[visioN]

Noticed you posted this on the fordownersclub.com too - was going to point you there!

[mdench]

I have this juddering on my polo and turned out i was missing a cylinder as one of my HT leads burnt out. So could be worth popping in the garage to have a quick once over. Mine was fixed in the day a swap of HT leads and new sparks and ready to go

[witch]

Don't know about the hiss but the juddering is usually because you are going too slowly for that gear, surely?

[cpjitservices]

Checked HT and Sparks... Im running 4 cylinders.. the car runs fine its just accelerating sometimes at low speed / revs.

[Michael]

You should be able to run in 4th gear comfortably when travelling at 30MPH.

 

By taking your foot off the accelerator the car will reduce speed slowly, then apply the breaks, then change gear last. You shouldn't really be in 4th when travelling at 60MPH. 5th gear should be used for anything over 35MPH.

[cpjitservices]

Don't know about the hiss but the juddering is usually because you are going too slowly for that gear, surely?

 

Yep, I'm pretty sure it's my error BUT wanted to double check first.. other cars I've driven have been fine... aslong as your rolling or upto 20 mph, 3rd / 4th should be ok to go to creep up speed at least.

[cpjitservices]

You should be able to run in 4th gear comfortably when travelling at 30MPH.

 

By taking your foot off the accelerator the car will reduce speed slowly, then apply the breaks, then change gear last. You shouldn't really be in 4th when travelling at 60MPH. 5th gear should be used for anything over 35MPH.

 

Indeed, however slowing from 60, if Im coming up to a bend and slow down, ill drop into 4th or the relevant gear...then sometimes I'f I'm accelerating it will Judder.

 

I think the air noise I'm getting is air intake when accelerating..

Edited July 7, 2014 by cpjitservices

[Michael]

Indeed, however slowing from 60, if Im coming up to a bend and slow down, ill drop into 4th or the relevant gear...then sometimes I'f I'm accelerating it will Judder.

 

As you say (depending on the road), when slowing from 60MPH (you should be in 5th), you can then continue slowing down and place it into 4th or possibly 3rd depending what speed you're travelling.

 

As I say as a general rule, anything over 35MPH and you should be in 5th. This makes for a smoother ride and you'll use less fuel too. 1st, 2nd and 3rd use a lot more to get the car moving.

 

We've all been there and it's just practice, practice and more practice!

[cpjitservices]

Thanks all, usually if I'm in a 40 I'll be in 5th all the way but If I have to slow for some reason and drop below 35 I'll drop back into 4th... or 3rd. If I do 4th I get the juddering.... it may just be that the ratios in the gearbox are low... so I need to be in 3rd to be able to get back up then change to 5th.

 

I often skip gears to conserve fuel were appropriate. Something I've had to self learn.

[Michael]

Exactly - skipping gears is definitely OK and something you just learn the more you drive that particular car.

[MrMat]

Thanks all, usually if I'm in a 40 I'll be in 5th all the way but If I have to slow for some reason and drop below 35 I'll drop back into 4th... or 3rd. If I do 4th I get the juddering.... it may just be that the ratios in the gearbox are low... so I need to be in 3rd to be able to get back up then change to 5th.

 

I often skip gears to conserve fuel were appropriate. Something I've had to self learn.

 

As mentioned, it could be a misfire but i doubt it.

 

It's more likely that you're revs are simply too low. Right at the lower end of the rev range, your motor will have very little power/torque as all that comes further up the rev range and being in a high gear will be 'harder' for the engine. By trying to accelerate from say 800rpm in 5th gear, your engine is working really really hard and by doing so will be dumping in excess fuel.

 

Think about riding a bike; imagine you get on your bike, put it in it's highest gear and try to start off - it's difficult right? Now do exactly the same but in the 'correct' gear i.e. a lower gear, it will be much easier and you will use less energy too. The principle is exactly the same.

 

It's important to note that by doing this (i.e. being in a high gear at low speed to the point that your causing the car to judder etc) will actually increase your fuel consumption substantially.

 

Hope that helps!

[cpjitservices]

Yep got that... thanks for the advice all.

[teejay]

It's easier on the engine and more economical if you don't skip gears, try to keep your revs between 1,500 and 2,500 changing up as you get near 2,500 and change down when you get near 1,500 rpm.

[jinnantonnixx]

A hiss from the engine? Have you got a leak on your inlet or exhaust manifold (or their seals)? This can confuse the sensors which could make your engine run poorly.

[Miscbrah]

Engine light flicking on or staying on?

[mac_shinobi]

Twin Turbo : View Profile: twin--turbo - EduGeek.net

 

@twin-turbo

[cpjitservices]

Engine isnt running poorly per se... Company car makes the same noise so I think it's just air intake.

[cpjitservices]

Engine light flicking on or staying on?

 

Nope no engine lights at all..

 

Something a bit weird did happen the other day. Filled up, and halfway home the speedo dropped to 0 for about 2 seconds then went back up to the speed I was doing.

[MrMat]

Engine isnt running poorly per se... Company car makes the same noise so I think it's just air intake.

 

Yeah I wouldn't worry much about it. As you say most likely just induction noise.

 

You're clearly paying attention to the characteristics of your car so you will soon know when something is actually wrong.

[Joanne]

Our Focus 1.6 diesel does the hissing thing, if yours is a diesel too it might be a turbo issue. Ours has done 154000 miles, so ready for replacing so we still run it as is. How old is your car? Our focus is a 55 reg.

 

We had a corsa that used to lose power to the speedometers... think it was knackered!! Scary when it happens though!

[cpjitservices]

Our Focus 1.6 diesel does the hissing thing, if yours is a diesel too it might be a turbo issue. Ours has done 154000 miles, so ready for replacing so we still run it as is. How old is your car? Our focus is a 55 reg.

 

We had a corsa that used to lose power to the speedometers... think it was knackered!! Scary when it happens though!

 

Mines a 1.6 Zetec SE... well I used to work on cars alot so I know a bit. I didnt actually loose nay power at all when the speedo dropped...

[MrMat]

Mines a 1.6 Zetec SE... well I used to work on cars alot so I know a bit. I didnt actually loose nay power at all when the speedo dropped...

 

Petrol then so no need to worry about turbo-issues!

[Joanne]

no it's just really odd! When our car did it, all the needles died, then when it came back on all the lights lit up and the needles went back to where they should have been.

 

Your 2 issues are probably unrelated.

 

If it still drives and it passes its MOT.... IT'LL BE REIGHT!!!

[cpjitservices]

no it's just really odd! When our car did it, all the needles died, then when it came back on all the lights lit up and the needles went back to where they should have been.

 

Your 2 issues are probably unrelated.

 

If it still drives and it passes its MOT.... IT'LL BE REIGHT!!!

 

Aye too right, MOT is due October... It's going in for a service and an all round check before it gets booked in... HOPEFULLY it wont fail. There's no rot or rust so I do hold a bit of hope lol