My Dirty Rat Focus.... Engine Idle Problems.

Vexorg · May 26, 2012

Ok, Here's the lowdown... 2001 Zetec Focus. Once the motor is warm, it does not idle smoothly... It's really rough... Put the AC on and you'd think it will kill you.

Above 1000 RPM, things are fine... perfectly smooth, good fuel economy.

Things I have already done to the car..... After the problem started... that havn't helped

1. Cleaned the air intake.... with multiple products... multiple times... even had the TB off of there and put a new gasket on.

2. New Plugs, Wires, and Firing Module/coil

3. New ICV

4. New Timing Belt

5. NEW PCV hoses.... and valve.

It still idles like crap... once it's warm and the car's computer drops the RPM below 1K.

It's BAD.. and I'm getting really ticked.

calvin1234 · May 26, 2012

First O2 sensor perhaps? Sounds like the problem is when it's in closed loop mode. Also, did this problem happen suddenly or over time get worse?

sailor · May 27, 2012

At this point I'd "go back to basics" and start with a compression test & check of the spark plug's condition (plug reading) while they're out.

Plugs gapped right?

Are they the "stock" ones?

is the idle speed correct?

What about a SMALL vacuum leak....

Couple things for you to start checking, so you aren't TOTALLY 'Stuck" without ideas...

bugman · May 28, 2012

Vexorg said:
Ok, Here's the lowdown... 2001 Zetec Focus. Once the motor is warm, it does not idle smoothly... It's really rough... Put the AC on and you'd think it will kill you.

Above 1000 RPM, things are fine... perfectly smooth, good fuel economy.

Things I have already done to the car..... After the problem started... that havn't helped

1. Cleaned the air intake.... with multiple products... multiple times... even had the TB off of there and put a new gasket on.

2. New Plugs, Wires, and Firing Module/coil

3. New ICV

4. New Timing Belt

5. NEW PCV hoses.... and valve.

It still idles like crap... once it's warm and the car's computer drops the RPM below 1K.

It's BAD.. and I'm getting really ticked.

I know its not the same car but I had a car that had the same issue I found that the flexible intake tube between the airbox and the TPS. It had fine cracks in the ribs which would open up as the tube warmed up and when I pressed the gas hard it would quit. Just a thought.

Vexorg · May 29, 2012

First off, thanks for the ideas... I'll get to looking around a bit more.

There's no CEL.

Plugs are fresh Autolites (OEM Style)....the gap is good.

The issue on the vehicle creeped in over a year or so. Anything over 900rpm and you'd never know there was a problem. Only when it's running at idle does it start to be a headache.

Jrgizm · Jun 8, 2012

Vexorg, I found this site researching a fix to your same problem. You might as well have been describing my car(2002 wagon). Having the AC on again is what finally made me say "I got to fix this", people were staring at me at stoplights it vibrated so bad. Before the forum gave me a solution my trans stopped shifting into fourth so I took it in. Being just a bad shift solenoid I had some money left to ask them to look into the rough idle. The answer was worn out engine mounts. It also had a vacuum leak which they fixed and they said could have made it a little worse but 95 percent of the shaking was the engine mounts. It's amazing the difference, AC or not it's smooth as could be. They said it is a pretty common problem for our years. Hope this helps.

My Dirty Rat Focus.... Engine Idle Problems.

Vexorg

calvin1234

sailor

bugman

Vexorg

Jrgizm

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