Strange Things Happening To Puma Sometimes. Help Needed!!!

[FordPuma_Shearer]

Hi,

I am having a problem with my 1.7 t reg puma with 71000 on the clock...

Recently when it comes to accelerating over 3k revs... the engine sounds really rough and loud over 3k and when it hits the vct, not much power either when this occurs!!!

Then other times is runs as smooth as anything and it revs beautifully... nice throughout the revs range... just more recent with this loud engine noise and less power!!!

The oil level is correct had a recent oil change... never been low either, it runs on v-power aswell though at the moment i also get a strong whiff of petrol when i start her up, like its burning a bit rich.

Had a cambelt 2000 miles ago and a new exhaust 2 months ago cat-back... standard from quick-fit


So what is the potential problem i have then as i dont want it to go completly and not being with a car!!!
Any ideas then!!!

 

[Dal]

Check the connection to the VCT sensor behind the Oil filler cap in case that's dodgy and causing an intermittent signal? Dirty MAF perhaps? Air filter clean?

 

[FordPuma_Shearer]

Ok... thanks dal... i clean the maf quite regulary and its always clean... i also cleaned the k&n filter too about 500 miles ago... so that shouldnt need doing... about the vct sensor... what shall i do with it pull it out or something else... but there is a bit of fresh oil around it, only a splash been there a while even though no oil was spilt!

Any further ideas

 

[Dal]

It's this one sticking up closest to the camera:
(ignore the red circles - was an indication of where the top rocker cover bolts to)

Or out the car:

It senses the flow of oil around the cam bearing and so the angle the cam works at, either retarded or advanced. Make sure the pins are clean at least and the wires are not chaffed? Sounds as though it's VCT related if it's at about 3000rpm.

 

[FordPuma_Shearer]

I only thought you meant on top of the head where the oil cap is... how do i take apart all that to get to where the pictures are!!!

A little confused now DAL!!!

 

[Dal]

Yeah, I meant check the wiring to the connector after you've taken the plastic cover off the engine. Was only showing it out the engine by way of explanation.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[FordPuma_Shearer]

Ok thank god for that... you had me going there... does the plug sensor just pull off... make sure the visable pins are clean and the wires are ok!!! Anything else i could look for... though it probably will be vct related, is it a common problem

 

[haGGard]

Not sure how to answer the original question, but i'd start saving for another exhaust. You say you've had it 2 months from quickfit. I'd give it another month before it starts blowing.

 

[FordPuma_Shearer]

Not sure how to answer the original question, but i'd start saving for another exhaust. You say you've had it 2 months from quickfit. I'd give it another month before it starts blowing.

Wouldnt it be under warrenty with kwik-fit

 

[FordPuma_Shearer]

Question for dal again... i've checked the vct plug today... the pins look really clean... however the wire that run's from the top of the vct sensor... the outer wire casing of it has melted on the top of the engine due to massive heat... its split but i'm not sure if its damaged the wireing.

I await further instructions

 

[Dal]

As long as the wiring is ok, it's probably not that. I think my outer plastic sleeve has perished a bit.

I had a mondeo once that had a similar problem : turned out to be that the cat had failed before I bought it, and the internals of it had blocked the exhaust, causing a lack of power. Tricky to check the cat on a puma though - perhaps go back to Kwik-fit and ask them to check the exhaust system? (Seeing as they fitted it - blag that it's not felt right since they did it... at least you'll get a free check )