2001 Ford Focus Idle Sputter

OPUSPENQUIN

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1 POST

About a week and a half ago I was putting some oil into my 2001 Ford Focus. I was distracted and forgot to put my oil cap back on. Later on I drove the car for about 10 miles and noticed that it began to sputter and shake while in idle. It has progressively has gotten worse. A friend suggested that it is probably the timing and that I need to get it adjusted. Is this the problem and if so how do I do this??
Thanks,
John

Sep 8, 2006 at 4:48 PM

NOS

✓Experienced Mechanic
320 POSTS

did you replace the cap and have you rechecked your OIL if not replace ther cap and see how that does. the timing is controled by the computer. the oil cap missing can create a vaccum leak in the system and cause you a problem(NOS) :oops:

Sep 11, 2006 at 4:18 PM

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Suggested Repair

Replace the oil cap and recheck the oil level. A missing cap can cause a vacuum leak that makes the engine sputter and shake at idle; timing is computer-controlled and does not need manual adjustment.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2001 Ford Focus forgot to replace the oil cap, then drove about 10 miles. The engine began sputtering and shaking at idle and the problem worsened. A friend suggested a timing adjustment. The expert advised replacing the cap and rechecking the oil, explaining that timing is computer-controlled and a missing oil cap can create a vacuum leak.

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2001 Ford Focus Idle Sputter

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