Accelerater?

[jonah hart]

There's a rattling noise ever time i put my foot on the accelerater. Anyone know why this is? Ive a ford focus also the steering wheel wouldn't turn earlier! When i switched the engine of then back on again it was fine. I know i have to take it to the garage but id like to have an idea of whats wrong first so they dont make other stuff up aswell! Any advice please?

[RATTER15]

It sounds like the engine is pinking, it usually means that the timing is slightly adrift, this could be due to several things, they should sort it out at the garage without a problem.

[jonah hart]

Oh great stuff thanks ratter 15. Ill take it in monday :)

[Hymie]

When the steering would not turn – I would guess that this was due to the loss of power steering.

This effect is often observed when the engine stalls for some reason but the vehicle is still in motion – making it difficult to turn the steering.

It may well be that the two issues are related – as Ratter15 says, if the engine runs OK except under heavy acceleration, it is likely that the engine timing is slightly advanced (spark plug firing too soon).

If that is the reason, it should not be an expensive fix (to corrrect the timing).

[TWR]

If you have hold of the Steering 9 Under Tension) when starting, the sound you here maybe the power steering in need of oil! ( If its oil powered) Check the Power Steering Oil level.

[Hymie]

Even though the fix might me a simple adjustment, possibly using diagnostic equipment to make the adjustment – I would still expect to pay around £50, with the work taking the garage less than 15 minutes.

[TWR]

Hymie, I see your point "cost" but I'm sure cost is an issue with everyone today, If Jonah has a friend etc that knows a bit about cars, she would be better off asking them first rather than taking it to a garage do you not think?

[jonah hart]

Thanks so much for all your advice its really appreciated. I will check the car as everything first. Yes moneys tight so its reassuring that it may not cost so much. Thankyou :)

[pdq1]

Could be the steering rack is a little worn and so too much play. Or it could be your starter motor which is supposed to engage in the flywheel and release when started.

[Hymie]

I fondly remember setting my car’s distributor points using a feeler gauge and 12V bulb (with the engine set at the correct rotational angle to TDC) – to achieve the correct ignition timing.

But modern engines rely on a crank-shaft sensor to tell the car’s computer where the engine is in its rotational cycle and speed. Using look-up tables, the computer provides the signals to fire the spark plugs at the correct time.

So incorrect ignition timing on a modern vehicle may be the result on corrupt data within the car’s computer memory (which needs resetting) or possibly the crank shaft sensor on the way out.
Although I would expect the car’s on board diagnostics to detect the incorrect ignition timing and illuminate the engine warning light.

[harley_Husky]

A ' software glitch / corruption ' would not cause any timing fluctuations. A faulty crankshaft sensor cannot pre read the flywheel so therefore it would never cause the car to run in an ignition 'advanced' state.

1 - Is this a petrol or diesel Focus ?
2 - What 'cc' is the engine
3 - Age of Vehicle ?

Best regards.
Eddie