Clutch seems to be getting worse ans I have gotton tired of waiting for the "newpart" fairy, not to mention the other issues that need attention. Here is the letter I gave the service manager:
My 03 SVT Focus is having some of the "common issues" I have been reading about. She is a 2003 build date 5/28/03 with about 10,5000 miles. Still under the 12/12 and I also have the Ford Premium Warranty. Would like an accredited/certified SVT service man with SVT Focus experience to take a look at her.
Goofy idle at cold start-up? Also sputters a lot for the 1st couple of miles after the start-up. * TSB # 03-19-11 YRFO - new ecu calibration update
Under regular driving (without the air/heat on) she can't seem to keep a constant speed. Example: hit 40 in 4th and try to keep her at that point, she will surge up and down.
Excessive brake dust!!!!
Brakes also make noise/squeaking and under moderate to harder situations and they grind. The rotors are grooved pretty bad, front are not as bad but the rear are pretty hacked up. Since I am within 12 months and 12,000 miles the pads and rotors should definitely be repaired/replaced under warranty. I believe there is a service advisory out about the brake dust issue and new pads available for that issue.
There is a bunch of grease on the passenger side half shaft and above that area? Not sure what would allow the grease to leak…bad CV joint? Bad seal on the axel?
Both windows screech when being raised. Very nasty noise, not sure if it is from bad molding or if the windows are just out of alignment? Also, on the rear corner of the driver’s side window molding - there is a large piece chunked out. Creates a lot of wind noise and I would guess lets in a lot of outside water. It should be replaced.
Wheel alignment doesn’t look right. The front and rear both tip inwards, but the rear seems to be worse. Also the rear sits higher then the front? (Or I guess it could be said, the front sits lower than the rear)
At idle, a lot of grinding with a bunch of squeaking noise from the clutch. I can hear it in the car and if I put some pressure on the clutch pedal I can feel vibrations and rubbing.
*TSB #04-8-1 Noise-Transaxle- noise at idle with clutch pedal released.
While slowing down, if I have it in gear and leave my foot lightly on the clutch pedal, I can feel it moving. The pedal goes in and out and makes a bit of noise...even worse under braking? Feels like a warped flywheel.
Also, a lot of “play” in the clutch pedal. It is very loose, there’s probably a good inch before you actually feel pressure through the pedal.
Trans issues….it works but just isn’t right! Having a hard time down shifting after driving for a while and things are hot/warmed up. Also not easy getting into 2nd and 3rd after driving in stop and go traffic for a while. Reverse is always an adventure??? Could the shift fork be bent or out of alignment?
Engine compartment: The heat shield on the underside of the hood is very water damaged. Why/how is water getting under the hood? The hood appears to not be lined up when down. The liner should be replaced and the reasoning needs to be looked at.
There are a bunch of out of place noises coming from the engine area. At idle with the hood up the clutch squeaking and grinding is much louder. Also, some noise from the pulley area? This one scares me...if it were an old 5.0 I would think it is lifter noise, but this is a 2.0 DOHC. There is a tapping noise towards the top of the engine cover?
Could be fuel injection noises, but it is pretty loud and should be checked out.
Also, there are some missing parts from my car that sales was supposed to have for me. Please check with the sales manager or Tony for these items: The Owners Manual, Service book and SVT supplemental book, the top battery box piece, cigarette lighter, clamp that holds the intake tube on the throttle body, a screw that hold down the air filter box, and one of my keyless entry remotes is not programmed
That is just a sample of the issues I am currently having with the car. Please feel free to go over her top to bottom and attend to any other issues. I would like to hear what is being done to my car and how long the service will take.
Nice list!
Service manager went over it with a big frown on his face...could be interesting...
My 03 SVT Focus is having some of the "common issues" I have been reading about. She is a 2003 build date 5/28/03 with about 10,5000 miles. Still under the 12/12 and I also have the Ford Premium Warranty. Would like an accredited/certified SVT service man with SVT Focus experience to take a look at her.
Goofy idle at cold start-up? Also sputters a lot for the 1st couple of miles after the start-up. * TSB # 03-19-11 YRFO - new ecu calibration update
Under regular driving (without the air/heat on) she can't seem to keep a constant speed. Example: hit 40 in 4th and try to keep her at that point, she will surge up and down.
Excessive brake dust!!!!
Brakes also make noise/squeaking and under moderate to harder situations and they grind. The rotors are grooved pretty bad, front are not as bad but the rear are pretty hacked up. Since I am within 12 months and 12,000 miles the pads and rotors should definitely be repaired/replaced under warranty. I believe there is a service advisory out about the brake dust issue and new pads available for that issue.
There is a bunch of grease on the passenger side half shaft and above that area? Not sure what would allow the grease to leak…bad CV joint? Bad seal on the axel?
Both windows screech when being raised. Very nasty noise, not sure if it is from bad molding or if the windows are just out of alignment? Also, on the rear corner of the driver’s side window molding - there is a large piece chunked out. Creates a lot of wind noise and I would guess lets in a lot of outside water. It should be replaced.
Wheel alignment doesn’t look right. The front and rear both tip inwards, but the rear seems to be worse. Also the rear sits higher then the front? (Or I guess it could be said, the front sits lower than the rear)
At idle, a lot of grinding with a bunch of squeaking noise from the clutch. I can hear it in the car and if I put some pressure on the clutch pedal I can feel vibrations and rubbing.
*TSB #04-8-1 Noise-Transaxle- noise at idle with clutch pedal released.
While slowing down, if I have it in gear and leave my foot lightly on the clutch pedal, I can feel it moving. The pedal goes in and out and makes a bit of noise...even worse under braking? Feels like a warped flywheel.
Also, a lot of “play” in the clutch pedal. It is very loose, there’s probably a good inch before you actually feel pressure through the pedal.
Trans issues….it works but just isn’t right! Having a hard time down shifting after driving for a while and things are hot/warmed up. Also not easy getting into 2nd and 3rd after driving in stop and go traffic for a while. Reverse is always an adventure??? Could the shift fork be bent or out of alignment?
Engine compartment: The heat shield on the underside of the hood is very water damaged. Why/how is water getting under the hood? The hood appears to not be lined up when down. The liner should be replaced and the reasoning needs to be looked at.
There are a bunch of out of place noises coming from the engine area. At idle with the hood up the clutch squeaking and grinding is much louder. Also, some noise from the pulley area? This one scares me...if it were an old 5.0 I would think it is lifter noise, but this is a 2.0 DOHC. There is a tapping noise towards the top of the engine cover?
Could be fuel injection noises, but it is pretty loud and should be checked out.
Also, there are some missing parts from my car that sales was supposed to have for me. Please check with the sales manager or Tony for these items: The Owners Manual, Service book and SVT supplemental book, the top battery box piece, cigarette lighter, clamp that holds the intake tube on the throttle body, a screw that hold down the air filter box, and one of my keyless entry remotes is not programmed
That is just a sample of the issues I am currently having with the car. Please feel free to go over her top to bottom and attend to any other issues. I would like to hear what is being done to my car and how long the service will take.
Nice list!
Service manager went over it with a big frown on his face...could be interesting...
