2013 Flexifuel cold start issue
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 2
2013 Flexifuel cold start issue
Hello,
I bought a 2013 1.6 Flexifuel Focus (120hp) last year and it has a cold start issue which is pretty problematic in Finland...
The first symptom was the longer cranking time, it took 1-3 seconds to start. A mechanic replaced the spark plugs and it hid the problem for some time but the issue slowly returned as proper winter arrived. In the worst case scenario the starter motor runs for around 6 seconds without any success. In other cases it needs at least 3 seconds before it starts and the RPM fluctuates. This can be from nothing to violent but after a few seconds (max 10s) it gets stable and there's no further problems until the engine cools down which can be just 4 hours or overnight depending on the outside temperature.
Until this point many parts were replaced:
Spark plugs, coil, fuel pump, engine coolant temperature sensor, MAF and injectors but after less than a day the problem returned. There was only one pending code months ago "P0172 System too rich (Bank1)" but it disappeared after the replacement of the spark plugs and never returned.
I read a lot about EVAP purge valve mentioned but I honestly don't know what that is and it's mostly coming from AI...
Does anyone had a similar issue or has any solid idea?
Thank you in advance.
I bought a 2013 1.6 Flexifuel Focus (120hp) last year and it has a cold start issue which is pretty problematic in Finland...
The first symptom was the longer cranking time, it took 1-3 seconds to start. A mechanic replaced the spark plugs and it hid the problem for some time but the issue slowly returned as proper winter arrived. In the worst case scenario the starter motor runs for around 6 seconds without any success. In other cases it needs at least 3 seconds before it starts and the RPM fluctuates. This can be from nothing to violent but after a few seconds (max 10s) it gets stable and there's no further problems until the engine cools down which can be just 4 hours or overnight depending on the outside temperature.
Until this point many parts were replaced:
Spark plugs, coil, fuel pump, engine coolant temperature sensor, MAF and injectors but after less than a day the problem returned. There was only one pending code months ago "P0172 System too rich (Bank1)" but it disappeared after the replacement of the spark plugs and never returned.
I read a lot about EVAP purge valve mentioned but I honestly don't know what that is and it's mostly coming from AI...
Does anyone had a similar issue or has any solid idea?
Thank you in advance.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,662
How about we take this one thing at a time.
You could be on to something with the purge valve.
That valve is supposed to be in the closed position until certain conditions are met , then the computer causes it to become energized and open to burn the accumulated gasoline vapors stored in the vapor canister .
There is a line that allows those vapors to get into the intake manifold to be burned. If that valve is malfunctioning and stays open all the time the engine will get extra fuel and be difficult to start and run rich until the oxygen sensor tells the computer to shorten injector on time and allow less fuel to go into the engine.
As you know a cold engine requires a rich mixture until it warms up , but too much fuel can be a problem too.
You could be on to something with the purge valve.
That valve is supposed to be in the closed position until certain conditions are met , then the computer causes it to become energized and open to burn the accumulated gasoline vapors stored in the vapor canister .
There is a line that allows those vapors to get into the intake manifold to be burned. If that valve is malfunctioning and stays open all the time the engine will get extra fuel and be difficult to start and run rich until the oxygen sensor tells the computer to shorten injector on time and allow less fuel to go into the engine.
As you know a cold engine requires a rich mixture until it warms up , but too much fuel can be a problem too.
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 2
Thank you for the explanation, it makes sense now. Well of course not everything was replaced at the same time, I just wanted to summarise the happenings of the last few weeks. First the spark plugs were replaced but when they didn't solve the problem the next diagnosis was a faulty fuel pump. It wasn't the problem either and the old guy basically gave up so I had to take it somewhere else where the diagnosis was leaking injectors because the engine started even with the connectors disconnected but now I think it started because the EVAP was stuck open... I'm not sure if it is possible though. After the replacement of the injectors the car started misfiring badly and MAF showed very high values so they replaced the coil and MAF as well which solved the problem for about two days... At this point I think it might be that EVAP purge valve, also explain why the start is different every time.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,662
A little FYI,
If you don't try to fill the fuel tank up to where it won't take anymore,. great !
It is not good to keep adding fuel to the very top of the filler neck because it creates problems with the vapor recovery system.
We try to fill as much as possible, but this is one time where it can cause problems. SO,,, when the fueling nozzle shuts off , tank close to full,stop adding fuel.
If you don't try to fill the fuel tank up to where it won't take anymore,. great !
It is not good to keep adding fuel to the very top of the filler neck because it creates problems with the vapor recovery system.
We try to fill as much as possible, but this is one time where it can cause problems. SO,,, when the fueling nozzle shuts off , tank close to full,stop adding fuel.
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