Zetec vibrating like diesel till warm

[fungusfocus]

I'm determined to fix this car, when started cold, car races to 1500 rpm, then slowly returns to about 900 rpm hot. But the problem is you feel this metal to metal vibration through the car as it warms, you can ACTUALLY feel the vibration in the fenders. It almost sounds and feels, like the exhaust is contacting the frame somewhere, but it's not. The ignition, (including coil pack) is in great shape, the engine is sound, even compression, 170 psi each cyl, +-2psi. I don't see excessive play in any of the mounts, (I replaced the lower) but today
I think I will remove the RS mount and swap it with my split port's mount, they look the same, then disassemble the LS tranny mount to see if it's collapsed. Has anyone else gone through this headache? The car idles/and is smooth, when warm, IT'S WEIRD!

John

[Liquid_02_ZX3]

I have energy suspension tranny mount inserts. My car drives me crazy sometimes at idle. Let us know what you find, you are on the right track.

[fungusfocus]

YES!!!!!!! I've found it!!!! And it idles silky smooth even cold! This car is my 17 year old son's who is away at basic training (National Guard). I'm a HS teacher who just doesn't have the time during the schoolyear to diagnose/repair the car, my son works two part time jobs and I can't run next to the car to fix it.

Here's what I did: I removed and examined the LS and RS mounts (the rear one we replaced) both mounts were in great shape. So, I loosened the 4 attachment bolts on the LS mount and the three on the RS mount and started the engine. I took notice of the washer marks on the brackets (where the mount was tightened from the factory) and I took a pry bar and slid the engine/tranny BACK all the way in the mounts, and tightened the bolts . The engine was installed in the mounts pushede all the way forward, so I moved the engine/tranny as far as I could in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION! VOILA! PERFECT! NO VIBRATION!!!

I knew the drivetrain was contacting SOMEPLACE, but couldn't find out where, I had been under that car 5 times and couldn't see any contact. So if you are experiencing vibration loosen the mounts and shove your engine/tranny around. Also, if you have a early Zetec car check your PCV hose off the intake, they soften and collapse not allowing enough air into the engine causing a rough idle when cold. FORD has a revised part made of hard plastic that eliminates the problem. Happy hunting!

John

[Liquid_02_ZX3]

hmmm odd but not surprising