Ford
Focus models from 2000-11 may exhibit a condition where the engine vibrates too much when the transmission is in gear.
According to Ford Motor Co., the vibration is most prevalent when the gearshift lever is in the reverse position and is the result of stones, pebbles, ice or snow lodging in the rear engine roll restrictor.
Clearing the restrictor of debris and installing over it a special service shield, part No. 2M5Z-16102-AB, should prevent further vibration issues. Start the repair by raising the car on a lift.
Using a flat-bladed screwdriver, scrape the area between the crossmember and roll restrictor until all the debris is removed. Now remove the roll restrictor-to-crossmember retaining bolt. Position the service shield over the roll restrictor, as shown in the illustration at right, then reinstall the retaining bolt.
To complete the fix, torque the bolt to 35 ft-lbs on 2000-07 vehicles and 52 ft-lbs on 2008-11 models.
Mitsubishi
Owners of 2007-08 Outlander sport-utility vehicles built before Nov. 20, 2007, as well as 2008 Lancer sedans built prior to Nov. 13, 2007, may complain of an intermittent no-start condition.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said the starting difficulties always occur in extremely cold temperatures, may illuminate the check engine light and may store one or more of the following trouble codes in computer memory: P0657, P1590, U0101 and P0201 through P0206.
The car maker attributed the problems to condensation getting into and freezing the contacts in the power relays for the A/T control, throttle valve control servo, injectors and starter.
Replacing all four black power relays with a new-design, better-sealed green relay, part No. 8627A011, should take care of the starting issues and codes immediately.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen A.G. reported that the upper and lower halves of the oil filler cap on 2005-07 2.5-liter Jettas and 2006 Beetles can separate if the engine cover is improperly removed.
The good news is that a service technician can reassemble the cap halves without having to buy a new cap.
Here's how: Begin by holding the upper cap half so that the funnel-end of the oil can symbol on top of the handle is positioned to the left. Next, flip the cap over and look at the threads.
There should be a small index mark perpendicular to the threads in alignment with the handle. Position the lower cap halve so that the molded parallel lines on top of it are running east-west.
Align the handle of the upper cap half with the parallel lines on the lower cap half, making sure the index mark rests between the lines. Now press the upper cap firmly into the lower cap. When you hear a snap, the fix is complete.
“Factory Fixes” is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected] For more Factory Fixes, go to www.tirebusiness.com and click on the Service Zone icon.