What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Erratic engine on Ford Focus
My 1999 Ford Focus has started behaving erratically. A few weeks ago the revs started to jump to 1400rpm when the engine was warmed up, while other times it’ll drop to 750rpm and cause the engine to labour. What could be causing this? Could it be the timing belt? I’ve never changed it.
Asked on 21 October 2013 by Blaby Foxes
Answered by
Honest John
Well yes, the timing belt should have been changed a long time ago. You've been lucky. Could also be the mass airflow sensor. Best to get it checked by a garage.
Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.
The Good Garage GuideSimilar questions
I own a 1998 Ford Focus, but have noticed the cooling fan coming on when the engine has barely warmed up. Can you tell me if there's a problem?
I recently changed the intercooler on my 2010 Jaguar XF and now I'm getting an intermittent warning message which reads 'water in fuel, consult handbook.' How do I get rid of this message?
My Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi runs fine for 35 - 40 miles, then cuts out as if the ignition was turned off. When I stop and turn off the ignition and then restart it then it runs fine. This is a repeating problem....
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
