I bought my Focus a year ago with 130,000 kms. It is 5 spd, and BASIC model. The problem started just after we got it and I have gotten so many different opinions I am stuck.
After I drive for about 25 minutes or so, IF I stop (leaving the car on) and then attempt to go again. It shudders as if the rpm?s are not high enough and has even stalled out. None of my indicators come on...my temperature shows as normal. It just boggs out.
For example. Last week I was coming through Toronto on the 401 doing about 120kms, when we hit a traffic jam. We rolled for about 45 minutes stopping and going but never breaking 2nd gear. Finally the jam breaks up and I am in the fast lane. Put it in 1st gear, foot to the floor and NOTHING. No rev, No anything. Stalled out completely. It wouldn?t turn over although it sounded like it was trying. I sat for not even 5 minutes, started the car and got going fine for about 20 minutes till another jam.. same thing - bogged out - no accelleration or rev. - Ended up receiving an OPP escort off the 401.....Let the car sit in the shade for about 1/2 hour and it was fine. But again - my thermostat appeared normal, I hear my fan come on, and no indicators. But if I am going and I don?t stop there is no problem... I drove 2 hours straight at 120kms, no issues. It has even done it when I have driven about 30kms, stopped long enough to drop someone off, and shuddered the whole way back (30kms) to the point I nearly stalled out, but managed to "play" with the clutch enough to keep it going.
At first my husband blamed me as I was just learning to drive stick, but I knew it wasn?t me, then we went to PREMIUM gas (LOL can?t afford that now), I have changed my O2 sensors - as per a diagnostic, but I don?t know where to start now? It gets regular oil changes... any suggestions?