Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Strange idle

MTX here

It's a combination of the load on the motor and the engine speed. When you have a vacuum leak at high rpms, it is less noticable. At low rpms, it is much more difficult to keep your engine running because of how slow that it is turning. It kind of like having a wild cam. They don't have much vacuum and idle like crap.

I doubt that it only applies to ATXs. It just that because the ATX never truely disengages, it makes the problem easier to spot. (the intake gasket leak) when you engage the clutch on a MTX Zetec, there is no load on the motor besides the accessories. (alternator, waterpump, etc.)

BTW, for you guys that want to replace yours, it is a full weekend project. You have to take off the alternator, alternator bracket, and passenger motor mount. You will learn alot about your Zetec in the process.

For the Pre-98's, also plan on cleaning your intake. The EGR really gunks it up and robs you of power. Soaking it in 8 gallons of Castrol Superclean overnight makes it as clean as new.


BP

Chalk me up for crap idle as well!
Mine is irregular and intermittant so good luck finding it. Did all the regular checks plus the EGR,IAC etc..
Last week I filled my tank and added some TCW-3 sled oil and it has helped. It is running better and the gas mileage is up.

mine shakes pretty bad sometimes, it's just the engine.

i've gotten used to it sadly...when i drive a different car, it feels weird to be idle and have it not shake, i need that to keep me awake..lol

I don't think the Zetec is supose to shake. That is not normal operation of our engines. I have the 98 with VCT. 2 things I've done that has helped alot.

1. Front rear motor mounts, they cost 11 bucks for the rubber inserts and can be done by the DIYer.

2. Follow the PCV line to the back side of the engine where it goes back into rubberline and connects to the intake man. This line gets soft and will flatten, clampping off the draw.

After finding those 2 things my engine is damn near shake free. Before, I could feel my face vibrating with the rest of the car.

My g/f has a 96 mystique with the zetec and atx. it basically has that same rough idle. however if i put it in neutral and rev it, it wont rev past 4500 it starts to bounce back almost like hitting a rev limiter....it has approx 66k on. any ideas as to whats causing the revs to drop down?

Rev limiter

Quit doing that

Thats to keep people who want to get their motor up to 4500 from blowing it up and then wondering why it happened.

Yeah my 96 MTX has the same problem, I can't say it really shakes besides in the winter

4500 is nothing....try reving to 7500.