Escort GTi idle problems

[Martinandson]

Hi,

Just purchased a 98 Escort GTI for my son. We have noticed that the idling appears to go up and down. Never stalls but seems like it’s on the edge. Also when driving it seems to be lacking power and very jerky. Other times the idle seems too high. This does seem intermittent as doesn’t happen all the time.

As we are new to this thought I would post to see if it has been a common issue. Idle control? 

When I purchased the car it had a new distributor and HT leads (old ones with the car) which now alarm bells are ringing a little bit any help would be much appreciated.  That’s said I had no issues driving it back 200miles. Flew through the MOT and only needed a starter motor so far for a starting issue. 

 

[Frembrit]

Probably a dirty Idle speed control valve...That's what I call it anyway, or otherwise known as a IACV  ?? worth taking it off and giving it a clean but get hold of a new gasket first.

What Engine is in the car? My friends and family had earlier MK5 XR3i's and RS2000's, these were the 1.8 Zetec (130ps) and 2.0 I4 DOHC (150ps) engines.

[Martinandson]

Thanks for the reply the engine is a 1.8 zetec silver top. I read somewhere to reset ECu by disconnecting battery for 30mins as if the battery had been disconnected for some time and the driven straight away can cause this problem. It had been disconnected to remove starter, order new one and then install replacement - just over a week.

I let the car idle for 10 mins and then drove steadily for 5/10 mile. Seems ok and not as noticeable. Still think it’s wise cleaning the idle control and inspecting as does still fluctuate between 1000 and 1250 but nothing as severe as it was. 

Thanks. 

 

 

 

[Escort97]

I had this issue with my 1.8 Escort, and I found that cleaning the MAF sensor cured it, remove the sensor from the body and spray some carb cleaner on a fine artists brush, then very gently brush the heating element wires, a lot of ***** seems to get burnt on and upsets the ecu.