Focus 1.8 Zetec revving/idling problem

Gareth Magennis · 2009-09-24T21:48:02+00:00

Hi,I recently bought a 1999 Focus 1.8 Zetec. It has a problem that at first I took to be the Idle Speed Control Valve, but now I'm not sure at all.When you take your foot off the accelerator at speed, the engine takes a long time to lose revs, so there is no immediate engine braking, and also each gear change is accompanied by a highish revving engine on depressing the clutch. Often it idles fast, before settling down to proper idle speed.My Astra had a dodgy ISCV and this Focus behaves almost exactly the same as far as the fluctuations in idling speed goes, though it never affected the engine at higher revs the way the Focus does.With the car at a standstill and revving, I can't recreate this slow to return to idle problem. (??)I attempted to remove and clean the ISCV today but found it inaccessible - couldn't even see it. I also took off the air ducting from the throttle housing and cleaned the butterfly valve and seats with carb cleaner, which had LOTS of black oily stuff all over it. I'd like to go back and perhaps do a more thorough job of this.Basically I'm wondering what might be the cause of the engine not returning to idle promptly under load.58000 miles, full service history up to 54000 miles 3 years ago, so only done 4k in the last 3 years. Engine otherwise seems fine. Engine management light is not lit, and the bulb works at ignition on.Cheers,Gareth.

Sep 24, 2009 21 Replies

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edboskey 12 years ago

Thanks I found the problem it is 2 small caps on the back of the throttle body which I snapped off when changing the alternator. I have replaced them with electrical tape it seems Ford have no part numbers for these caps so the tape will have to do

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Mrcheerful 12 years ago

always useful to know, well found.

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