Ford Fiesta - 2003 Fiesta Zetec misfire - water in plug chamber

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Tue 2 Oct 2012 16:43
Ford Fiesta - 2003 Fiesta Zetec misfire - water in plug chamber - Mutton Geoff

Plenty of results of internet searches about this seemingly common problem. Took off a plug lead and one side of the plug chamber had half a thimblefull of water in it. Plugs had tracking marks, diagnostic said misfire cylinder 1. Cleaned all out, cleaned leads, replaced plugs. A few weeks later, the fault is back, this time the water in the other chamber.

Checked carefully around washer jets with watering can, no leaks, although water does appear to travel from around the wiper pivot and into the engine bay over the exhaust manifold, not sure if a gasket or rubber washer might have gone there - is water supposed to drain around the wiper shaft?

No fault code showing but car running badly so about to try new plugs and replacement leads but not sure how trace this water leak. Not convinced its a core plug as it changed sides and there is no loss of coolant, car well maintained etc.

Any advice from the Backroom boys?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 6 Oct 2012 19:27
Ford Fiesta - 2003 Fiesta Zetec misfire - water in plug chamber - Mutton Geoff

To help others with this problem (and it seems common on this car), I tried to replicate the washer leak with a hose, nothing came through. The air filter cover occupies the whole top of the engine so I couldn't see how water was getting in. I was convinced it was the core plugs and took it to our local Ford dealer to ask. They quoted 1.5hrs at £80/hr to fix it so we left it with them. They fixed the car the same day and said it was a washer leak, the core plugs were fine so they sealed the washer jets and fitted new plugs & leads and charged just an hours labour. The car running perfectly now.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link