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    capgirl49's Avatar
    capgirl49 Posts: 26, Reputation: 0
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    #1

    Oct 7, 2009, 02:56 PM
    Ford focus 150.000 miles has intense vibration
    Upon starting our ford focus 2001 the vibration is so noticeable.. like an airplne starting. Vibration lessens somewhat upon putting in Drive.. but altogether is quite intense. Is it motor mounts, struts, tranny? Really intense upon first start in "Park"
    twinkiedooter's Avatar
    twinkiedooter Posts: 12,172, Reputation: 1054
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    #2

    Oct 7, 2009, 04:06 PM

    Have the motor mounts looked at first and then change them if necessary. This is probably the cause of all the vibration in that small car.
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #3

    Oct 7, 2009, 04:17 PM

    Sounds like engine mounts. It's common for cars, as they pass the 100,000 mile mark, to require new engine mounts and suspension parts (e.g. struts, wheel bearings, sway bar links, and tie-rod ends).

    The weak link on FWD cars, however, is the transmission. Be sure to change transmission fluid and filter every 30,000 miles, as Ford recommends.
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #4

    Oct 7, 2009, 06:37 PM

    For serious engine and transmission problems, I would take the car to Ford.
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #5

    Oct 8, 2009, 09:31 AM

    What did the mechanic think the problem was? Try listening to the engine with a large-handle screwdriver or mechanic's stethoscope, to identify the source of the noise/vibration. These are difficult problems to diagnose from afar.

    You can rule out struts.

    If one cylinder is not firing properly, on a four-cylinder engine, the vibration will be very noticeable. Remove and examine each spark plug. Change the platinum plugs (Motorcraft only) with the exact ones that originally came in the car, if they have not been replaced in the last 45,000 miles. Ensure each coil-on-plug is firing properly.
    RickMN's Avatar
    RickMN Posts: 244, Reputation: 52
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    #6

    Oct 8, 2009, 05:20 PM

    Rocks stuck in the motor mount. Yeah, you read that right. Ford has a TSB on it. Here's a summary of the TSB

    Ford Focus Vibration at Idle
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #7

    Oct 8, 2009, 05:24 PM

    Nice work, RickMN! You may have provided capgirl49 an inexpensive solution to her problem.
    RickMN's Avatar
    RickMN Posts: 244, Reputation: 52
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    #8

    Oct 8, 2009, 06:21 PM

    Tx, when it comes to hitting home runs on this site, your batting average is much higher than mine.
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #9

    Oct 8, 2009, 07:13 PM

    If stones have damaged the engine mount bushings, I would replace them with Energy Suspension Polyurethane Bushings, which are super tough. For example:

    http://www.energysuspension.com/asse.../pdf/17352.PDF

    Choose the proper bushings, based upon make, model, year, and engine size.
    capgirl49's Avatar
    capgirl49 Posts: 26, Reputation: 0
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    #10

    Oct 10, 2009, 10:22 AM
    Thank you TX grease and Rick MN I am so appreciative of this answer to my
    Focus conundrum. Ask.com is really coming through on a regular basis. Wish I could contact you direct Rick.. anyhow.. I live in a rock strewn area... rural.. so how this problem developed is getting clearer

    Thanks again guys!
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