2002 Focus with Rough Idle - The Ford Focus Forum

**ScottsWifesCar** · 10-18-2009, 10:21 PM

My wife's 2002 Ford Focus has an extremely rough idle(entire car vibrates have to yell to talk when driving). I have read a number of threads about problems similar to this and have tried a number of solutions. I changed the ignition coil, with no luck. I also replaced the valve cover hose to the manifold(the 90 degree elbow issue), yet the rough idle continues. Now, when I open the hood while the engine is running, I can smell a bit of exhaust that was not there previously. I'm wondering if it is the cat converter. Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!

**Liquid_02_ZX3** · 10-18-2009, 10:28 PM

I have the exact issue as you, I'm thinking its a vacuum leak where the intake meets the head. I have an early style intake I need to throw on and see if that takes care of the issue. Let us know what you find.

**01slo-cus** · 10-19-2009, 12:24 PM

Try unplugging the vac. hose that goes to the egr valve and stick a pen or something in the end of it to plug it up. Kinda sounds like it's dumping too much exhaust gas in at idle, which will definately make it run like crap.

**ScottsWifesCar** · 10-19-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01slo-cus

Try unplugging the vac. hose that goes to the egr valve and stick a pen or something in the end of it to plug it up. Kinda sounds like it's dumping too much exhaust gas in at idle, which will definately make it run like crap.

Color me a newbe, but where is the EGR valve?
Thanks!

**GapBoyPCS** · 10-19-2009, 05:00 PM

It depends on what engine you have.

**ScottsWifesCar** · 10-27-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GapBoyPCS

It depends on what engine you have.

It is a 2002 2.0L with a single overhead (focus SE)
Thanks!

**leptoid** · 11-09-2009, 11:11 AM

Hi. My wife has a 2002 Focus with a SOHC. Here's what makes her car do that. Hopefully it'll be your problem too. You'll feel stupid, but it's a cheap thing to fix.

If you look where the PCV goes to the engine, there's a hose that runs from it to the bottom of your engine (in the back of the engine). Right at the PCV valve is a little rubber elbow. Pull it off and replace it.

That stupid thing will start to collapse every 10-20k miles due to the heat that goes through it. Anyhow, once it starts to collapse (sometimes you can't really even tell), your engine runs like garbage. Give it enough time and you'll get about 6-10 codes out of your engine as well. Replace this $5 piece and your car will run like old (it's not new after all). Anyhow, it's worth trying out. If that's what your problem is, and you don't replace it, you're going to end up thinking you need a new engine before it's done with you.

Good luck!

**Warrior 3000** · 11-12-2009, 02:35 PM

my car didnt idle rough till i put my intake in. i can feel the car trying to suck for more air while idling and thats why mine idles rough.

10-18-2009, 10:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
ScottsWifesCar Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 3	2002 Focus with Rough Idle My wife's 2002 Ford Focus has an extremely rough idle(entire car vibrates have to yell to talk when driving). I have read a number of threads about problems similar to this and have tried a number of solutions. I changed the ignition coil, with no luck. I also replaced the valve cover hose to the manifold(the 90 degree elbow issue), yet the rough idle continues. Now, when I open the hood while the engine is running, I can smell a bit of exhaust that was not there previously. I'm wondering if it is the cat converter. Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!

10-18-2009, 10:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Liquid_02_ZX3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,450	Re: 2002 Focus with Rough Idle I have the exact issue as you, I'm thinking its a vacuum leak where the intake meets the head. I have an early style intake I need to throw on and see if that takes care of the issue. Let us know what you find. __________________ '02 Liquid ZX3 Power Premium MTX It has a few mods, lol

10-19-2009, 12:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
01slo-cus Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 42	Re: 2002 Focus with Rough Idle Try unplugging the vac. hose that goes to the egr valve and stick a pen or something in the end of it to plug it up. Kinda sounds like it's dumping too much exhaust gas in at idle, which will definately make it run like crap. __________________ 2001 ZX3 CAI, ported TB, SVT header, UDP, 2.5" exhaust and still barely gets out of it's own way!

10-19-2009, 05:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
GapBoyPCS Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Waterloo/Toronto/GTA, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,220	Re: 2002 Focus with Rough Idle It depends on what engine you have. __________________ Richard - 2002 ZTS \| Sangria Red \| 433,000+ km...Be Bold, Stay Focused 24-7 Redline Rendezvous \| OFOC - Ontario Focus Owners Club \| SVTOA-Toronto [FJ] focaljet - Forum Guidelines - Welcome to the Jet - Team Canada - FJ Store - Sponsors - SEARCH

11-09-2009, 11:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
leptoid Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2	Re: 2002 Focus with Rough Idle Hi. My wife has a 2002 Focus with a SOHC. Here's what makes her car do that. Hopefully it'll be your problem too. You'll feel stupid, but it's a cheap thing to fix. If you look where the PCV goes to the engine, there's a hose that runs from it to the bottom of your engine (in the back of the engine). Right at the PCV valve is a little rubber elbow. Pull it off and replace it. That stupid thing will start to collapse every 10-20k miles due to the heat that goes through it. Anyhow, once it starts to collapse (sometimes you can't really even tell), your engine runs like garbage. Give it enough time and you'll get about 6-10 codes out of your engine as well. Replace this $5 piece and your car will run like old (it's not new after all). Anyhow, it's worth trying out. If that's what your problem is, and you don't replace it, you're going to end up thinking you need a new engine before it's done with you. Good luck!

11-12-2009, 02:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
Warrior 3000 TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 176	Re: 2002 Focus with Rough Idle my car didnt idle rough till i put my intake in. i can feel the car trying to suck for more air while idling and thats why mine idles rough.

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