2004 Ford Focus vibrations
I just bought a 2004 Ford Focus for my teenage daughter. It had a number of wear and tear items that I have already fixed, but one problem is new.
I determined the dog bone motor mount was bad and replaced it. The next time I drove the car, the motor vibrations were gone, but now the entire dash shakes badly when in reverse and the brake is on. Seems to get better when actually moving in reverse. Not sure what the problem could be on this?
My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
I can think of a couple of things that may be causing this issue. Firstly, the mount that was replaced could have been bad for a long enough time that it shook the dash screws loose. It is also possible that another mount could be faulty. I would recommend getting under the dash and trying to tighten any screws and bolts that you see in case they are loose. If this is not the case, I would recommend checking all of the other engine and transmission mounts for free play and replace any faulty parts.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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Any unusual shaking or vibrating forces coming from the engine is cause for concern. It could be something as simple as old spark plugs producing an uneven power delivery, it could be something serious like worn or broken engine mounts, or it could be even more serious in the case of internal engine damage.
Some 2000-2011 Focus vehicles may exhibit an excessive engine vibration which is most noticeable when the transmission is engaged in reverse. This condition may be caused by small stones, road debris, ice or snow that is packed or lodged in the rear engine roll restrictor.
The most common reason is bad motor mounts. They are designed to stabilize the car engine while driving. That`s why disconnected or defective motor mounts will make your car shaking at idle. A broken timing belt can also be the reason for engine shaking.
CV joints are located at the end of each axle. There is both an outer and inner joint. When the inner CV joint is damaged or begins to fail, you will notice your car vibrating under hard acceleration. As it gets worse, the minor vibrations turn to violent shaking when under load.
Installing new spark plugs is the best way to resolve such vibration related issues. The timing belt ensures the accurate functioning of many critical components of the engine. Any issues with the timing belt can cause your car`s engine to vibrate.
This condition may be caused by small stones, road debris, ice or snow packed/lodged in the rear engine roll restrictor. Inspect the rear engine roll restrictor for debris and install a service shield if necessary.
When the fluid in a transmission becomes dirty and contaminated, the particles in the fluid prevent it from building up enough pressure in the transmission lines. In turn, this will prevent proper pressure contact between transmission plates when they are applied. As a result, the transmission will begin to shudder.
A: A four-cylinder engine will typically have a slight vibration when idling. This is inherent in the design and may in fact be normal.
To help confirm that the vehicle has an engine speed related vibration, with the vehicle stopped, put it into park or neutral and raise the engine speed to the RPM at which the vibration occurred to see if the vibration can be reproduced. If reproduced, diagnosis should begin with engine speed related components.
The source of the problem could be from tires that are not balanced or a worn-out spark plug. It could also be loose lug nuts. A car also vibrates for a number of reasons when you accelerate. Typically it`s from a damaged inner CV joint.
The most common reason for a car to shake is related to tires. If the tires are out of balance then the steering wheel can shake. This shaking starts at around 50-55 miles per hour (mph). It gets worse around 60 mph but starts to get better at high speeds.
The most prevalent cause of vibration is problems with your wheels or tires. The potential problems include improper wheel and tire balance, uneven tire wear, separated tire tread, out of round tires, damaged wheels and even loose lug nuts.
Vibration is transmitted into your hands and arms when using hand held / operated tools and machinery. Excessive exposure can affect the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm causing Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
If you begin to feel persistent shaking in your car, it`s best that you get to the problem right away before continuing to drive. Continuing to drive with the shaking can result in further damaging parts, ruining your tires, and other costly problems that could be avoided by a quick trip to your mechanic.
Motor mounts: It`s the job of the motor and transmission mounts to dampen vibration. When they break, you`ll feel excessive vibration, especially at idle. You can diagnose this yourself by putting your car in neutral. If the shaking lessens, you very well could have broken mounts.
A car`s engine vibrates when idling typically at optimum levels. The transmission gears, rotation of the crankshaft, and other components cause slight vibrations when your car is normally in motion. However, in case there`s too much vibration when the car is idle, there is something wrong with the engine.
The gearbox fluid acts as a lubricant, so if you sense vibrations in the shifter when changing gears, then a gearbox oil change may be needed.
If you notice shaking when your foot is on the gas, there might be a problem with your car`s fluid levels. Low automatic transmission fluid can cause shaking. If the shaking is accompanied by the check engine light, it`s time to visit a mechanic.
Damping. You can install damping devices such as honeycomb sheeting in and around your gear drive. These devices decrease noise by reducing sound vibrations. Decreasing vibrations can also help protect other gearbox components, increasing the lifespan and efficiency of your equipment.
3-cylinder engines have more vibration than 4-cylinder engines of the same or higher displacement. However, this does not make the engine any worse.
All engines create a different vibration. 4 cylinder engines are worse because they don`t have the cylinders offset to help balance themselves out like a V6 or V8 engine do.
Worn or dirty spark plugs can cause a petrol car`s engine to misfire in one or more cylinders, which can cause vibrations when the car is idling or at running speeds. The easiest solution is to replace your spark plugs and check the related wiring. Engine vibrations can also be due to the air and fuel systems.
Abnormal vibration usually is related to one or more of the following causes: engine rotor imbalance, malfunction of mechanical equipment, and airflow disturbances acting over doors or control surfaces that are misrigged or misfaired or that have excessive wear or free play.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
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2004 Ford Focus vibrations
ANSWER : I can think of a couple of things that may be causing this issue. Firstly, the mount that was replaced could have been bad for a long enough time that it shook the dash screws loose. It is also possible that another mount could be faulty. I would recommend getting under the dash and trying to tighten any screws and bolts that you see in case they are loose. If this is not the case, I would recommend checking all of the other engine and transmission mounts for free play and replace any faulty parts.
Read Full Q/A … : 2004 Ford Focus vibrations
There is a shudder on take off and vibration while accelerating – 2013 Ford Focus
ANSWER : Hello there. Many possible faults can cause your 2013 Ford Focus to vibrate upon acceleration. From your description, it sounds like you are describing an engine misfire. Misfires can be caused by many issues, but the most common are spark plugs, coil, fuel pump, fuel injectors, MAF sensor, vacuum leaks, or a wiring harness fault.
A qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to diagnose your misfiring condition and make any repairs to get your vehicle running normally again.
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Hello i have a ford focus c max 2004 yesterday there was a problem when i was on motorway the car slow down and in 5th gear with
ANSWER : A plugged catalytic converter can cause this symptom but your account seems to be that this "bogging down" problem came on suddenly. Typically, in a circumstance such as yours, we recommend you request a slow acceleration diagnostic. Among the possible faults examined are a defective fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, dirty airflow sensor, vacuum leak, and so forth. There are critical sensors as well, such as the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors, that can cause acceleration problems. With regard to the fuel system, faults there could cause too little fuel to be supplied to the injectors and this can cause the vehicle to accelerate slowly, or even sputter and stall, especially at high speeds. The airflow sensor detects the mass of air that enters the fuel injection system and hands that information off to the engine’s computer which allows the computer to deliver the proper amount of fuel to the air. These sensors can become dirty or malfunction over time, which results in the wrong data being sent to the computer. A slow accelerating car is the result of this incorrect data. An air leak in the intake system can affect the ability of the car’s computer system to properly regulate the fuel to air ratio. One of the major symptoms of a vacuum leak is a car that is slow to accelerate or feels like it has a lack of power.
Read Full Q/A … : 2004 Ford Focus vibrations
I have a 2011 Ford Focus it vibrates when I turn wheel quiet it down
ANSWER : When the steering is turned the power steering pressure switch will activate and signal the computer to increase engine speed. If you can increase engine speed just a little and it causes the engine to smooth out then you may need to have the throttle body cleaned and the mass air flow sensor cleaned to increase the idle a little. Check the engine motor mounts to see if they need to be replaced due to being torn or worn out.
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My car started idleing rough, vibrations soon as start car, vibrations soon as I accelerate, vibrations, rough idle bad
ANSWER : This sound like you may be having an engine misfire. Have the system checked and scanned to see if codes are present for an engine misfire. If it is, then a mechanic can check to see if a coil or spark plug has failed. You may have oil leaks in the valve cover seals that has caused the ignition to short out in the spark plug holes. A repair of your valve cover gaskets may be necessary, along with the other components that I’ve mentioned. I’d recommend having the vehicle looked at by a qualified technician who will be able to diagnose these misfiring symptoms and fix it accordingly.
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Vibrates at 65 mph
ANSWER : A few different things can cause the vehicle to vibrate at freeway speeds. The brake rotors, brake pads, and tire balance are a great place to start. Other common causes would be the tire itself, bent rim, wheel bearing, or a suspension component failure. I suggest getting assistance from a qualified technician who will be able to diagnose the vibration you’re experiencing and perform any repairs that are required.
Read Full Q/A … : 2004 Ford Focus vibrations
Vibrates at 65 mph
ANSWER : Have the driveshaft checked for a binding or a bad U-joint. This will cause the vibration to go throughout the entire vehicle. If you had the vehicle on a lift and ran the vehicle to the speeds indicated, you will feel the vibration in the drivetrain. A certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, can come to your car’s location to diagnose your vehicle’s vibration issue and let you know what needs to repair.
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Fuel filter location – 2006 Ford FOCUS (South Africa model)
ANSWER : Hi there – your mechanic was being straight with you. The fuel filter is attached to the fuel tank on the S. African models, with a seal in between the filter and tank. Getting a proper fit on re-assembly in the field is problematic, and it is hard to get them to seal properly. They are a mechanics headache! (N. American models have the filter just in front of the tank – different crash requirements.)
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