oldsparky Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 hi everybody my escort has a very annoying idle problem. once it has warmed up, the idle raises & lowers constantly. this has been expertly described to me as 'hunting'. last year she failed her mot on emmisions, so i took her for diagnostics. lambda sensor, maf & air switch goosed. i replaced these & scraped her through the mot. the garage told me my trusty steed had a slight misfire & this was the cause. has anybody got any ideas because the mot is due soon & i don't want to send her to the breakers???? cheers in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommy.h Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 Hi Oldsparky try this attachment see if it helps. tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsparky Posted November 27, 2010 Author Share Posted November 27, 2010 Hi Oldsparky try this attachment see if it helps. tom cheers tom. apparently it could be a small vac leak. i was advised to start at the inlet manifold & work my way back. i have put on new leads & plugs but this didn't cure the problem. i even replaced the cat, just in case. think it's time to strip her down & look for bad news anybody else got any ideas??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lublin Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 cheers tom. apparently it could be a small vac leak. i was advised to start at the inlet manifold & work my way back. i have put on new leads & plugs but this didn't cure the problem. i even replaced the cat, just in case. think it's time to strip her down & look for bad news anybody else got any ideas??? Is the engine breather pipe that is at the back of the engine kinked/collapsed where there's a 90 degree bend at the bottom? I read that this can cause idling problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsparky Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 on last check it looked fine.i'm going to strip her weekend & have a good old fashioned look. thanks for getting back to me buddy, i think we're going down the right path. could it be an idle valve on its way out??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taffg Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 on last check it looked fine.i'm going to strip her weekend & have a good old fashioned look. thanks for getting back to me buddy, i think we're going down the right path. could it be an idle valve on its way out??? hi old sparky i have had a very similar problem on a 2.0 zetec, although it was some time ago i removed the idle sensor ( mother of all jobs on 2.0) and dried it out. i seem to remember reading about moisture building up in the housing where the idle sensor locates and then when cold weather comes it forms ice and condensation when the car begins to warm up. i gave the sensor a bit of hair dryer treatment and squirted a blast of wd40 in the chamber then some solvent cleaner ( the type that air dryes out) to try and remove any moisture. didnt have a replacement 'o' ring but used vaseline to lube it and refit. if the 'o' ring is leaking air past it then you will get erratic idling and also the the host of other possible leaking hoses. anyway the problem is virtually cured on my focus once in a bue moon it reappears, i give it a good rev and it seems to clear it. hope my memory has served me right, good hunting at the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsparky Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 hi old sparky i have had a very similar problem on a 2.0 zetec, although it was some time ago i removed the idle sensor ( mother of all jobs on 2.0) and dried it out. i seem to remember reading about moisture building up in the housing where the idle sensor locates and then when cold weather comes it forms ice and condensation when the car begins to warm up. i gave the sensor a bit of hair dryer treatment and squirted a blast of wd40 in the chamber then some solvent cleaner ( the type that air dryes out) to try and remove any moisture. didnt have a replacement 'o' ring but used vaseline to lube it and refit. if the 'o' ring is leaking air past it then you will get erratic idling and also the the host of other possible leaking hoses. anyway the problem is virtually cured on my focus once in a bue moon it reappears, i give it a good rev and it seems to clear it. hope my memory has served me right, good hunting at the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lublin Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 "could it be an idle valve on its way out??? " could be and anyway if your going to give the car a good going over it won't hurt to start by cleaning this with a carb solvent cleaner. It's a good idea to reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes after you have cleaned this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsparky Posted December 1, 2010 Author Share Posted December 1, 2010 cheers boys, i'm gonna give it a go. it would have to snow though, wouldn't it! i'll keep you all posted & thanks for all the tips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibwobbly Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 I have a problem car runs fine untill it gets hot then the idle drops out and wont idle until I reflash the ECU it then runs ok with no code coming up, will run for miles when cold weather.New throttle body coil pack plugs leads ect I have noticed there is a wire conected to the earth side of bat which I dont think ford would put on when removed car wont start anyone got a magic wand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayJay86 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 My escort has always had the same problem in the 4yrs iv had it.. i was told idle control valve but i found if i gave it a really good hammering for a couple days, it would sort it out, then beginning of summer and beginning of winter it would do it again, but gave it a really good hammering and it sorted it out again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibwobbly Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I took the car to Bristol st ,Stoke for Diagnostic check and asked them for a report I picked up car having paid £72 for a car wash no report even after asking ford uk to ask Bristol st, they keep saying throttle body but having had 5 throttle boddies tried on it I dont think so. think I even said they were incompetent. I have cleaned ( very carefully) the TMAP sensor removed oil residue from manifold removed crankcase breather (quite loose on Engine end so cleaned coated it with silicon sealer and reseated it I took it for a run today 50 miles and it idles a bit low 500/600but managable. can the idle be increased by a couple of hundred without to much trouble, there is an adjuster on throttle body or do i go for the daft fix two thin sheets of plastic milk bottle glued on the return stop on foot peddle Daft I know but believe me it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibwobbly Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Had the car in the garage A clarke fixed the Idle but now speedo dont work had speed sensor replaced still no speedo .got voltage from wheels but still not working Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Ford UK Shop
Sponsored Ad
Name: eBay
Ford Model: FordUK Shop
Ford Year: 2024
Latest Deals
Ford UK Shop for genuine Ford parts & accessoriesDisclaimer: As the club is an eBay Partner, The club may be compensated if you make a purchase via the club
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.