I have a ****ty idle...

[icemanZX3]

no not me...my car...

it seems that it just acts weird with the sounds and stuff..

there isnt any jerking going on when the car is idling...it just sounds rough and like "gasping for air."

[ 04-26-2002: Message edited by: ax0n ]</p>

[ZX3er]

MSD super conductor wires really smoothened the idle beyond my expectation.(it's hard to hear that engine is working)
Plugs and re-gaping can also help, I found that Motorcraft double plats are the smoothest.
Good synthetic oil like : M1,Redline,Amsoil,Royal Purple,can help to smooth it up too.
Do you use some of those fuel system cleaners, I tried X1R($6 per bottle of complete fuel system synthetic cleaner)from Walmart at around 6000 miles and my millage went up 1-2 mpg for next 1000 miles or so.
Next time I'll try Redline fuel system cleaner.
I'm always alowing the engine to warm-up a bit before starts (1 min.).
Good luck with our raspy Zzzzzzzzetec.

[ZX3er]

Duratec will be a lot smoother, ask biker16 he'll tell you.
Some day we'll get it...

[smd3]

Gasping for air? Could it be a vacuum leak? Or maybe the intake is loose somewhere.

steve...

[AfroClown]

I had the same problem with a ****ty idle, i took it to ford and left them the car for three days, finally they fixed it. it ended up being my throughout bearing and slave assembly

[ZX3er]

Your dealer better have a good service department. I got a few issues with my zx3 as well.
If one dealer can't fix it take to the other dealer, and so on. It can get pretty bad with Ford service departments.

[icemanZX3]

so it looks like I need new plugs.. (OEM are still in with just about 20,000 miles) and some MSD wires...

If that works then I am cool...if not then I need better oil...

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2000 ZX3 Twilight blue,automatic,H&R sport springs,FS strut bar,17x7.5 Motegi MR12 White wheels with Kumho Ecsta 712's (205/45ZR17),tinted taillamps,clear bumper lens,Hyperwhite bulbs all around,mesh lower grille,KKM WRC hatch wing,shaved badges,shorty antenna,unresonated exhaust and intake,FS plug wires,Esslinger UDP,Esslinger oil cap,window tint 20%,indiglo gauges,billet shift knob,shoulder pads,removed backseat,eyelids,Sony CDX-M600 HU...

[ZX3er]

I forgot about your mods, the dealers will blame everything on those (even the headache ).If you still keep the stock plugs, you must know that Ford wanted to save $2 on it and out of four plugs we got 2 regular and 2 double platinums. So I can guess that at 20000 miles two regular plugs are almost dead or dead and double plats are past their'e prime as well. Before buying MSD's (you already have aftermarket wires) try getting four new double plat. Motorcraft plugs and see what's up with your idle. Adding a good fuel system cleaner may help a bit too. Synthetic oil will be a blessing for your hard working engine as well.
If those rather inexpencive methods will not help then give MSD's 8.5mm Super Conductors a try. MSD Part # 32 949.
(at $45 per set it's a great deal considering other more expencive wires being not even close to MSD's performance)
Good luck.

[BFocisBLude]

I have experienced this also. Every ten or so RPMs at idle, I will get a rough one. Is this the same thing? I just bought the car too. I wonder if I should say something to the dealer, or if it is normal.


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01 Black Ford Focus ZX3
99 Black Honda Prelude

[ZX3er]

try dealer first.
but don't be surprised if they will treat you like "you did not buy a damn BMW, it's a Ford, it's normal"
good luck

[smd3]

All Ford dealers are not created equal. The dealership I take my car to is great to me, I have nothing but good comments about them. When they've kept the car overnight they offer a rental... When I complain about little things they fix them... when I THOUGHT they damaged the lower side molding they replaced it for free. They knew very well I couldn't prove anything.

I'd suggest trying as many different dealerships as possible. It'd be nice to think that they'd treat us well. We could very well end up with the choice to buy another Ford in the future.

steve...

[projectzx3]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by AfroClown:
I had the same problem with a ****ty idle, i took it to ford and left them the car for three days, finally they fixed it. it ended up being my throughout bearing and slave assembly<hr></blockquote>

This is interesting.I currently have shifting concerns and also a rough idle. Noresull???? Does this make sense? Throw-out bearing and slave assembly can affect idle??? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[Trifocal]

Mine was the same way the ECU stored a code 1506 "vacuum leak" and then gives some pinpoint tests to find the problem. No check engine light was on when I got this code by the way. One of the things to check was for a properly sealed intake system, I realized then by putting on my F/C TB it had a much different sealing surface than the stock TB. So I put my stock one back on and erased the code with a basic ODBII scanner and ran it the next day (after disconnecting the battery all night). The code was gone so I knew where the problem was. I just resealed the TB to the intake using some good quality sensor safe sillicone and problem solved no more code nothing. It runs better then ever since. One of the other things it says to check is the IAC valve etc. Just letting you know what worked for me and maybe give you a few ideas instead of wasting your time at the dealer. Hope it helps.

[projectzx3]

howd you get the code to show up? and how do you know what it meant?

[Trifocal]

the code was stored in the computer pulled it out by using a basic ODBII scanner. I knew what it meant by the cd manual I have.

[LITE2LITE]

I had the same symptoms as you poor idle and eventially the lite came on...went to the dealer and it was a crack on the intake that vacuum was leaking out a cracked nossle....Dealer hooked me up with a phatty Escape for a week...til it was fixed....hope yours is this