I have a 2003 Ford Focus LX with "P" 2.0 liter engine and 93,000 miles. I just bought it 3,000 miles ago and replaced tires Until really warmed up (10 miles of driving), the engine has growling noise when driving or just parked and reving it up. I really thought it was exhaust rattle and fixed some clamps with rubber dampers and such. The noise did not change with the rubber. Since it smoothes out like a sewing machine with warm up or heat I thought lifters or maybe timing belt. It is not like a lifter rattles on a V-8. It is more of a growl speeding up with engine rpm. Most people would not notice this vibrational growl as I do but once I point it out it now drives even my wife and daughter crazy.
I am fairly certain it is not the converter. Hard to describe but it is a deeper growl and not a loose pinging rattle. Same frrequency as the motor rpm.
--LaddI am fairly certain it is not the converter. Hard to describe but it is a deeper growl and not a loose pinging rattle. Same frrequency as the motor rpm.
--Ladd
Yes, been down the converter road and the srew drive stethescope. Many heat shields on the exhaust but none rattle or growl. I can lay under it while my daugher throttles it up and the sounds is not there under it. Inside setting in it is where the noise comes from. I got to thinking if the toque converter is somehow out of ballance it could do something like this and then when the tranny oil warms up it could smooth out. Just a crazy theory. I plan to change the timing belt, tensioner and idlers as it has 93k miles. Not this could help.
--LaddYes, been down the converter road and the srew drive stethescope. Many heat shields on the exhaust but none rattle or growl. I can lay under it while my daugher throttles it up and the sounds is not there under it. Inside setting in it is where the noise comes from. I got to thinking if the toque converter is somehow out of ballance it could do something like this and then when the tranny oil warms up it could smooth out. Just a crazy theory. I plan to change the timing belt, tensioner and idlers as it has 93k miles. Not this could help.
--Ladd
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Catalytic converter is probably rattling, they do that when they are on the way out, performance will be effected, as it block's, engine cant exhaut properly !
Testimonial: "Helpful. Hard problem to put one's finger on.
--Ladd"
You allready went down the cat converter route then I take it !
& if you have a 16v engine there are no hydraulic lifters but if there is ware on the valve cap's or valve's guide's etc.they can rattle.
If I have to find a noise I allway's go back to the old metal ended screwdriver to the ear method & locate the screwdriver around the engine untill the noise increaces ! as it could be anything on the drive belt path, alternator is the first usually !
Anyway hope this help's !You allready went down the cat converter route then I take it !
& if you have a 16v engine there are no hydraulic lifters but if there is ware on the valve cap's or valve's guide's etc.they can rattle.
If I have to find a noise I allway's go back to the old metal ended screwdriver to the ear method & locate the screwdriver around the engine untill the noise increaces ! as it could be anything on the drive belt path, alternator is the first usually !
Anyway hope this help's !
I am having the same problem. I have a 2006 focus zx3 5 speed with the 2.0 duratech. It is a faint sound and hard to point out, it is not the lifters, I know my way around a car and this is something completely new to me. It seems like it is coming from the backside of the motor for me though.I am having the same problem. I have a 2006 focus zx3 5 speed with the 2.0 duratech. It is a faint sound and hard to point out, it is not the lifters, I know my way around a car and this is something completely new to me. It seems like it is coming from the backside of the motor for me though.
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I have owned both personally, and I really liked both engines. The Zetec definitely has the power to do anything you want, and the LX was very reliable. I actually had a Green Focus LX Sedan, and that got me 186k miles on the same clutch no less before I traded it in, still no issues at trade in time......The Zetec was a hatchback, but I still got 140k on that before I bought a Silverado.....Great motors in my opinion.
2003 FORD FOCUS 2.0L 4-cyl Engine Code [3] Engine Oil Grade 1......API* All TEMPS......SAE 5W-20, Engine, with new oil filter 4.3 liters. Thank you for using fixya and good luckOil Drain Plug.....17ft/lbs Torque
Is the engine running on all four cylinders, no missfire? If so, check the engine and transmission mounts, there are four, one at the top right hand side, one at the top of transmission on the left hand side, and one on front of transmission bell housing, and one in the rear transmission bell housing, any of them that are bad can cause this vibration. Hope this helps, let me know.
Tune Time.
1)new spark plugs properly gapped.
2)new air filter (check every 35000 miles)
3)new fuel filter (every 35000 miles)
4)1 bottle of STP fuel treatment (red bottle) 4x a year.
5) oil and filter change (castrol or another good quality oil every 3-4000 miles.
6)proper air pressure in tires (check every 2 months
7) service transmission every 40000 miles or less.
New oil and filter
8) new plug wires every 80000 miles.
Some noise from the AC pump is normal, but if the noise is changing or gets worse then the pump is probable going bad and will need serviced or replaced.
To my knowledge, a 2003 Ford Focus 2.0 SPi engine would need 4 quarts of engine oil (roughly 3.78 liters). Incidentally, the Ford/Cosworth Zeta/Zetec engine would be needing 4.25 quarts (~4 liters).
Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.
I am fairly certain it is not the converter. Hard to describe but it is a deeper growl and not a loose pinging rattle. Same frrequency as the motor rpm.
--Ladd
Yes, been down the converter road and the srew drive stethescope. Many heat shields on the exhaust but none rattle or growl. I can lay under it while my daugher throttles it up and the sounds is not there under it. Inside setting in it is where the noise comes from. I got to thinking if the toque converter is somehow out of ballance it could do something like this and then when the tranny oil warms up it could smooth out. Just a crazy theory. I plan to change the timing belt, tensioner and idlers as it has 93k miles. Not this could help.
--Ladd
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