What's up with this ford engine?..

11th August 2011, 18:25

Had to get rid of my beloved saxo, mot fail.
Got a bargin X reg Escort on 50k, ok, except for this annoying idle problem:

Doesn't happen all the time, but bloody annoying.
Anyone know what to fix? finding it much harder to work on than my saxo!

11th August 2011, 20:44

Just a guess [wild] could be the air flow meter needs adjusting. Theres a flap in an aperture, if its drooping too low

11th August 2011, 21:20

Cheers I think you're right! fine when i unplug the cable going to that.

I'll take the intake apart and have a look sometime. Do you know what'll happen if i were to leave it uplugged for now, overfuel or something?

11th August 2011, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woods

Cheers I think you're right! fine when i unplug the cable going to that.

I'll take the intake apart and have a look sometime. Do you know what'll happen if i were to leave it uplugged for now, overfuel or something?

If the cable is just for the tickover part of it maybe you can get by temporarily, if you take it for a drive and it smokes like fukc then just put it back on. Dont know much about diesels,

11th August 2011, 21:38

frenchcarp is right it is most probably the air flow meter same thing happened to my rs1800

12th August 2011, 21:38

Fords tend to have a problem with conducting electric between the HT leads and spark plugs what causes them to idle like yours, their is something which Ford brought out just for it, i cant remember what its called but i'll look when i'm at work tomorrow and let you know

12th August 2011, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakey260

Fords tend to have a problem with conducting electric between the HT leads and spark plugs what causes them to idle like yours, their is something which Ford brought out just for it, i cant remember what its called but i'll look when i'm at work tomorrow and let you know

Its just that diesels don't have spark plugs, at least the last time I looked

12th August 2011, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenchcarp

Its just that diesels don't have spark plugs, at least the last time I looked

sorry its a petrol it just sounds like a diesel.. does anyone know how to edit posts on here? lol

13th August 2011, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenchcarp

sorry its a petrol it just sounds like a diesel.. does anyone know how to edit posts on here? lol

You need over 100 posts or premium member

14th August 2011, 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woods

Cheers I think you're right! fine when i unplug the cable going to that.

I'll take the intake apart and have a look sometime. Do you know what'll happen if i were to leave it uplugged for now, overfuel or something?

It will just run a bit rich that is all. and not forget that the escorts ecu is self learning. as with most ecu's today. i.e you put new cams in, the fuel will increase automatically, the ecu will adjust itself accordingly to a degree. but still no replacement for a remap. ( chip )

Escorts are a piece of piss to work with, and that zetec engine will last a hell of alot longer than your old saxo engine would of.

things to remember about the escort.

Erratic idling at normal operating temps ( around the 70c mark ) = lamba sensor. (exhasut )
erratic idling at start up in cold weather - air flow valve. ( NOT air flow meter) which is located on your black plastic manifold. pita to get to and change.

Always flush (wyns engine flush x 2 )the engine come time for an oil change, always use good engine oil, 5w,30. + the usal service kit. http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford...ce_kit_857.htm

main thing to watch out for is the arch's and the sill's so hammer right them if u can if they are crap.

theres many performance mods u can do with this zetec, i,e bolt on turbo kit, cam mods, head mods, but being a 1.6 really isnt worth it to be fair. best bet for the 1.6 is, rip the head off, skim it, port n polish it, bang mondeo or probe upto 98 , 2 litre cams in and exhaust & new manifold and be done with it. 1.6 kick out approx 90bhp. slow to accelerate but with them mods you should see a massive improvement.

Keyz

14th August 2011, 00:53

haha,

i must be missing something here?
no ones jumped on it....
troll?

because its a ford?

14th August 2011, 17:34

troll ?? because its a ford ??

err no, because the zetec is a solid motor. proven to go 170+ mph.

Because the Op who had to get rid of his saxo who now owns a ford car, needs help by the looks of it!

Troll, I think your the troll for typin such a pathetic reply.

14th August 2011, 17:55

Agreed,

but Im not sure what you mean by this "bang mondeo or probe upto 98 , 2 litre cams in and exhaust & new manifold" do you mean put a Mondeo exhaust and exhaust mani onto an Escort? Does it fit? and the same question to Focuseses

14th August 2011, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenchcarp

Agreed,

but Im not sure what you mean by this "bang mondeo or probe upto 98 , 2 litre cams in and exhaust & new manifold" do you mean put a Mondeo exhaust and exhaust mani onto an Escort? Does it fit? and the same question to Focuseses

no sorry. what i ment was, the silver top 2 litre mondeo & probs cams will fit into the lower spec 1800 & 1600 engines, & so will the air flow meters and throttle bodys.

with a new exhaust manifold and new exhasut system will see a considerable difference + cams & port n polish

Focus's came in black top form so wont, due to being mechanical tappets not hydraulic like the silvertop.

Some usefull hints for the op to bare in mind before he goes hunting in some ford forums

14th August 2011, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by keyz

no sorry. what i ment was, the silver top 2 litre mondeo & probs cams will fit into the lower spec 1800 & 1600 engines, & so will the air flow meters and throttle bodys.

with a new exhaust manifold and new exhasut system will see a considerable difference + cams & port n polish

Focus's came in black top form so wont, due to being mechanical tappets not hydraulic like the silvertop.

Some usefull hints for the op to bare in mind before he goes hunting in some ford forums

So by 'new zorst and mani' you are talking about performance aftermarket ones I assume? You are not very good at explaining yourself.

14th August 2011, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenchcarp

So by 'new zorst and mani' you are talking about performance aftermarket ones I assume? You are not very good at explaining yourself.

thats exactly what i ment

15th August 2011, 13:08

Thanks very much for the advice! I'll try that stuff when I get round to it.

Just going to keep it all standard parts except the escort gti alloys i got for it, the body has plenty of parking scratches which puts me off doing much to it. Interesting to know what can be done though! cheers