2001 Ford Focus stationwagon multiple part question?

Question

I recently bought an 01 focus wagon, good mileage, nice looking car, but the hotter it gets outside the worse it runs. Today the temp. in our area was 96 degrees and while going to town, a 12 mile drive, mostly highway, it lost power 3 times causing me to pull over, shut the engine off for a couple of minutes and than restarting it. This helped for a short time but than it did the same thing again. It doesn't do this when the temp outside is below 85 degrees.

Could this be caused by the fact that 2 weeks ago I ran over a tree branch and it tore the shroud that goes from the bumper to the radiator out from under the car? Also I noticed that when I go to the gas station and remove the gas cap there isn't any pressure in the fuel tank. Does this car have a pressurized system and could this be the problem? The cap looks good.

Thank you for any information that you can give me.

Answer 1

I would start by replacing the "shroud".  It helps with directing air toward the radiator and aids in cooling.

Not sure about the gas tank.  Do you have any "check engine" lights?  

Answer 2

I am interested if you do have a check engine light on. From what you are saying it sounds like a MAF ( Mass Air Flow Sensor ) but that is guessing and not performing diagnosis.

You gas tank does have pressure but not where you should hear it if you open the fuel cap.If you here a pressure when openiong a gas cap on a focus of this year then you without question would have a serious problem.

Back to the first concern and you did mention temperature and also brings to my attention of the IAT ( Intake Air Temerature Sensor) may be a consern. May have to have this on a scan tool to see if any codes do appear. Autozone will scan for free if you request it but have to inform you that most of them are not qulified to completly diagnose the concern,just retrieve the codes.

Hope this helps and have a great weekend.