Impending fuel pump failure...I think!

I occasionally have the same issue. Mine's a 2001 US Focus Wagon built in Wayne, Michigan with 2.0 Zetec with 67k. It's been doing this for more than a year.

I talked to mine one. They didn't offer anything. Hope you have better luck.

-- Tony

Doubt if this is caused by a pump. That would more likely simply quit completely or not provide enough fuel to run at full throttle.

Ever think you might have gotten some bad gas with water in it? The water sits at the bottom of the tank until stirred up by such things as vigourous cornering. Depending on the amount that came through, it might cause a loss of power without sputtering (modern engine management systems are very good at adjusting for these things).

Over here in the Frozen North we have something called gas-line anti-freeze which gets rid of water. Ethanol blend gasolines do the same thing, as do many gas cleaners.

I had considered it, but how much water would I have to have in ~1/2 tank of fuel to be stirred up under cornering?

I was considering that as Foci of this age tend to go faulty, along with the gauge sender giving silly readings or pegging the gauge that my pump was failing- typically the suction hose (the pump is mounted at the top of the combined unit) starts to leak and the pump sucks air. Not heard of any owners experiencing starvation with 1/2 a tank of fuel yet though!

Am rather worried it might conk out on me altogether if the level drops too far / feed pipe deteriates furtherly....

Tim..

I have just had the same type of problem, it started, with the engine would not go over 3800 RPM this got worse to a point the car would not go up a hill, I did manage to limp to a garage and $750. later with a new pump the motor seems to running fine. The pump which was removed has screens on the inlet which were clogged with brown sludge. I did some more research and found that there was a recall to replace the fuel fill hose which was breaking down leaving a deposit which clogged the pump screens.

The following is a excerpt from a Ford Service recall Bulletin.Dated Sept

1999. Affected vehicles. Vehicles built from July 19 1999 through Aug 17 1999 at the Wayne Assembly Plant. Reason for recall In some of the affected vehicles the fuel fill hose material did not meet specification and may react with the gasoline in the fuel tank. Over a period of time the in tank fuel filter may become contaminated and eventually lead to a lack of engine performance, hesitation or in adverse affect on vehicle emissions.

Information can be got at

or 1 800 325 5621

"Tim.." wrote

Very little actually. It only takes a spoonful to make an engine die.

New pump / sender assembly is £145 from Ford and £118 from fuelparts both + vat. Hmm. Think I will oik the old one out and see if I can repair the suction tube, nothing to loose...

Whilst up on the hoist noticed 2 holes in the tailbox, not leaking exhaust gas yet, but on borrowed time. Will be fitting a stainless replacement at ~£100, as the Ford rust-o-matic one is £86!! :op

Tim..

Tim,

Have you gone to any of the Focus forums.? You'll find complete explainations about the fuel pump problem. I have an access plate I've cut in my rear floorboard so I can get to mine. I can pull, clean and replace my filters and pump in under 5 minutes.

anyhow, go to

and visit the forums. Tons ofinfo about our cars. Phil