Recent content by davegess

I replaced my clutch, master cylinder, slave and all the clutch bits. The clutch had been hanging up and not always releasing when the pedal went down (it was really bad when the car was cold - to the point of having to start the car in gear), the MC was leaking and the whole thing had over...

Just redid the whole clutch on my 2004 SVT Focus and it works great EXCEPT from a complete stop when I bring the pedal up it chirps. Really does sound like a bunch of birds chirping. Only happens if the car is stopped and it happens no matter what gear I us. Not super loud, you don't really...

Thermostat housing leaking badley so took it to the shop. They replaced the thermostat housing and thermostat and now the car (2003 SVT Focus) will not reach mormal operating temps. It is darn cold outside, about zero, but 45 minutes on the freeway should bring the oil and water up to...

I have a 2004 and every once in a while the clutch will not disengage. Only happens in first. If I lift the pedal and then put it back down it disengages. Only happens once in a great while but annoying. 45,000 easy miles on the car. Any ideas on what is happening? Dave

My throttle plate was sticking coming off idle so I used CARB cleaner and cleaned it out. Works great. Now I notice that FORD says to no use only throttle body cleaner. What have a potentially screwed up by doing this? I did the same thing to my wife's Sable and she has had some...

My heater fan is getting very noisy. The PO did not use the car much and it sat for almost a full year before he sold it so I suspect that is why this is happening. How tough is it to get to the fan? Dave

Has anyone experienced this? Every time I use the Focus I have to adjust the seat back a couple of turns. I I drive for an hour or so I have to adjust again. It seems that the seat back is always slipping backwards? What do you all think, am I missing something? Dave

On a very rare occasions it will be difficult to get out of first. I have a 2003 SVT Focus. It will shift but it takes a hefty pull on the shift lever to get it out of first. I happens maybe once a month. Car has 30,000 miles on it and runs well. Any ideas? Dave

I recently bought a 2004 Focus SVT; what a gneat car;) I am coming from jsut about as far away from this type of car and still call it a car so my driving style is not well suited to it. What is a good cruising RPM? I see about 2000 rpm at 55 mph in sixth. Is this OK or should it stay in...

I just bought a 2004 SVT Focus and am looking for winter wheels and tires. Is there any chance steel wheels from a regualr Focus will fit? A quick look leads me to think they won't. Any ideas on cheap wheels for winter? I really don't want to drop over 400 bucks for wheels and a like...