The Student Room Group

What causes the car to idle/hunt badly?

My dads car has been doing this quite badly lately, it does need a service so I am hoping it could just be that but I can't see changing the oil and plugs will solve it.

The engines often done this, the first time it was a faulty lambda sensor causing it, the second time my uncle cleaned out the idler valve which solved the problem for about 2000-3000 miles but now its come back again.

The car is also quite jerky but that can just be put down to it needing an oil change and new plugs, its an 86,000 mile Escort (last shape) 1.6 Zetec LX.
Reply 1
Flush out the entire fuel system, check all the filters, check the inside of the fuel tank and flush THAT out too. If it's an intermittent problem - it could be foreign material that's getting up to the fuel filters occasionally - if there are any fitted. If the car HASN'T got an in-line fuel filter - then fit one. Check the carburettor for wear, tear, and foreign bodies. Check the timing - if it's electronic. there's a good chance it may have gone tits-up. Check the distributor.
Reply 2
oi! the cars not that old, its only 10 years old, its got an electronic ignition system (so no distriubutor) and its got a multimpoint fuel injection system. Do you reckon that fuel cleaner stuff might help do the job?
Reply 3
There's an old saying that applies to just about anything. The more complicated - the more to go wrong. Get a LADA!!!!!! :p:

Seriously - yes - cleaning out the fuel system is gonna help - the prob is obviously fuel related. If you put a little red-ex in the fuel - it'll help keep the system carbon-free - it'll smoke like hell at first, but it'll wear off. You may have a little water in the system too. Check the injectors are clear and not worn. :smile:
Reply 4
My dad used to have a Lada and that went wrong a lot more, it may have been simple but it ate through clutches and the gearbox packed up at 67,000 miles.
Reply 5
I'd say the most expensive option could be that the problem lies with the ignition system, although any of the options I've outlined could cause the problem. Although tracing it is going to be time-consuming, there's nothing that's major. Good hunting!!!! (Excuse the pun.) :biggrin:
Reply 6
I guess if it passes the MOT thats all that matters, its an old banger anyway, its just a good old banger :biggrin:
Reply 7
AT82
its an old banger anyway,:biggrin:

AT82
oi! the cars not that old, its only 10 years old,


................ ......................................... sorry hehe
Reply 8
Well its old its a bangor but it uses modern technology, its one of the first Zetecs. It does the job of a car it gets you to A to B without breaking down.
Reply 9
Yes - ford's reliability HAS come on pretty well over the past 20 years or so. Ask someone a little older about the old Anglias and Cortinas and Corsairs ***shudders***
Reply 10
My car used to jerk abit as well at about 2000 - 3000rpm, and someone told me to tell the garage to check the fuel - air mixture to the engine .i.e. too rich or too lean...

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