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Author: Subject: Zetec help
sprintB+

posted on 18/1/16 at 07:42 PM Reply With Quote
Zetec help

Hi all, I'm having trouble with my zetec randomly cutting out while driving. I think I have narrowed it down to the idle control valve but am having trouble verifying it before purchasing a replacement.
It has happened about 6 times now, usually after I have come off the throttle and slowed into a village, I press the pedal again to pick up speed and the engine doesn't respond, just stops. (Once it cut in and out for half a mile before giving up)
The engine then cranks when I go to restart it, maybe catches for a second and dies again. After that it just spins with no bang, there is however a strong smell of fuel so I presume the injectors are still firing.
I have changed the crank and camshaft sensors, cleaned the idle valve, cleaned the maf, checked for vacuum leaks, and checked all of the loom for bad connections.
On the most recent occasion it did its usual off throttle switch off, it did restart, but as soon as i touched the throttle it died again. As I had been suspicious of the idle valve so took the solenoid part off and held the valve pin in the partially open position. The engine fired immediately, so I used a rubber glove to hold the valve open slightly which had the engine idling at 5000rpm (after half an hour of standing in the cold irritating the locals with the occasional rev). With this I was able to get the car home 'idling' at 50mph.
The question is whether it's likely to be the idle valve solenoid that is intermittently failing and whether when they fail they might cause the lurching as the engine cuts in and out?
I'm really hoping that there is a zetec guru out there who may know or have experience of this happening elsewhere as it's getting a bit embarrassing now!

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big_wasa

posted on 18/1/16 at 09:04 PM Reply With Quote
They do sieze up. Often in the closed position so they won't idle. You can keep them running on the throttle. So yes coming to a junction they will cut out with one foot on the clutch and one on the brake.

Is it an early escort alloy manifold or the later Mondeo plastic manifold. The latter valves aren't dear for the sake of a few quid I would give it a try.

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Dusty

posted on 18/1/16 at 10:44 PM Reply With Quote
Reminds me of similar problems I had with my zetec cutting out but that was random. Turned out to be an intermittent fuel blockage. You don't have a facet type square pump with its bullet filter by any chance? The metal bullet filters are notorious.
I live in Plymouth and have a bypass valve in the shed if you want to have it. pm me.

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