Errr sorry! Ford problem! Help?

[DaiRees]

Hiya dudes, I know it's not a 406 or even a Pug but I wonder if anyone could shed any light on this?

We bought the wife's Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT brand new in April '07 and she's only done 23K miles, totally fault-free, until yesterday evening!

Here are the sympoms; Engine Management Light on, considerably down on power, temperature gauge apparently not working although the heaters worked fine so the engines getting up to temperature OK, cooling fan on immediately from start. Drove it carefully about 25 miles like that, switched off and it wouldn't restart when warm (started OK cold last night and again this morning).

Have read the fault codes using a basic reader and the code is P0118 "Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit High". I cleared the code but it came straight back.

I'm guessing it's probably a failed temp sensor somewhere, I'm quite handy with the spanners but I haven't got a clue where to start looking, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Dai

[Bailes1992]

Right in the middle of the head you will have a temp sensor. Its in the middle of the spark plugs.
I have the Zetec SE engine which is essentially the same engine except you have VCT. The sensor for mine was £5 from ford
You may need to take the rocker cover off

[DaiRees]

Hmm, cheers Sam, can't see anything, d'ya think it's hidden under the rocker cover then? I just read on a ford forum about a sensor on the thermostat housing but I can't find that one either, I reckon the thermostat might be on the right of the block under the coil pack but I can't even see it let alone reach it. I hate modern engines

[Bailes1992]

Isn't hard to remove the rocker cover or the oil pack, this is it on my engine...



Might be abit different on your engine though.

[Bailes1992]

Was just about to give you a ring, was going to offer to pop up and have a rummage around the bay with you and get you to stick your code reader on my Focus...

But then I realised it's an hours drive and I can't really 'pop up'

[FarmerPug]

peugeots arent the only cars that have problems

[DaiRees]

LOL, no, not really within popping distance Sam, we'll have to have a micro meet soon though .

I deffo don't have that sensor. (I have taken pics, will upload them later)

Right, a mate with autodata says it says the following "Coolant thermostat, wiring open circuit, short to positive, earth wire defective, ECT sensor" so we're on the right track, it's either the wiring to the sensor or the sensor itself. Unfortunately I haven't got the time to do any more on it today (little 'un's birthday, party soon!) and back to work tomorrow so we'll just have to see, it can't wait 'till the weekend so I might have to bite the bullet and drop it into the Ford garage...

[Welly]

Sounds like the engine 'thinks' it's running a high temp.

You could try swapping bits and bobs about but why not get the Ford dealer to have a looky? do you have it serviced there? they'd probably fix it for you for about £50 notes (that's the good bit about Fords, cheap to fix).

Might save you a lot of guess work and ear ache from her indoors?

[highlander]

Pssshhhh, an hour's drive? I went to Dunfermline to meet Blue406, and I went to Earlston to view and pick up my Coupe. Hell, I went to Lossiemouth to view and pick up my 406 saloon, too

I thought you guys liked driving

[Bailes1992]

LOL, no, not really within popping distance Sam, we'll have to have a micro meet soon though .

I managed to get to Swindon (97miles) in 1 hour and 7 mins
I reckon I could do Merthyr in half hour

[Gary406]

i think he wants to get banned

[Bailes1992]

i think he wants to get banned

Who me? I had to be down there for 7am and I left at Half 5

[steve_earwig]

And you think your insurance is expensive now, wait 'til you get a few points on your license

[Bailes1992]

And you think your insurance is expensive now, wait 'til you get a few points on your license

3 points and it goes up £50. I'm pretty carefull though. I tend not to speed to be honest. If I do it's 1-2mph. Tend to be really carefull in 30/40/50 zones. Nationals I get abit leniant in

[steve_earwig]

Just be careful, it's hard enough already to avoid all the idiots, you have to watch out for cameras and bored coppers too these days.