Focus MK1 - Maintaining your IAC & PCV Valves!

[@oliverpowell3141]

Cheers mate. I did the IACV mistake too, but fortunately kept it and have put back in clean. I have seen some flag it as a fault, but replacing is incorrect if cleaning can be a satisfactory fix. Learning quickly that somethings aren’t broken and just need a clean. Do need to flag a point about the PCV valve, and that an obvious symptom I have personally experienced is that the breather pipes can collapse if there is an issue. Not sure of the exact mechanism, such as whether the valve is stuck or the a pipe is blocked or leaking, but since replace with a new PCV and pipes. The old one was still rattling, so maybe could have just been intermittent and cleaning it would have been fine. I went off general advice that there’s no harm in chucking a new one in for peace it mind, especially since the cost around a tenner.

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

You can grab a new one every so often doesn't hurt at all for peace of mind, a blocked one will definetly cause breathing issues and I wonder how many times the breather hoses have failed and blown a hole - that its down to a blocked/gunged up pcv valve! Its all linked together!

[@adamjow8405]

Thanks for another great informative video.

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

cheers buddy

[@scottykilmer3920]

Now here is the thing.. If the throttle body has never been touched , then the normal factory idle speed is 700rpm -/+ 30. Thats also what you see with the Focom diagnostic tool, the desired idle speed is 730 rpm when the engine is warm. Now, When you clean the Throttlebody , most people use the usual throttle body cleaner, or the carbureteur cleaner. These cleaners are harsh and it will remove the special layer that is applied to the throttle body butterfly. After you are done cleaning, and have resetted the Ecu, the engine wil idle at 800/850rpm, because the throttle valve is letting extra air inside now. Actually, this is not a problem, it is actually better ! . At 700rpm the car ran sluggish and often had the tendency to cut out when you turned on the air conditioning. With 850rpm the car runs very smoothly and more powerfully even with the Ac on ! But please when changing the idle air control valve, ALWAYS buy the Oem ! Because most aftermarket valves are rubbish and not calibrated to the Oem specs. I threw away 10 pieces in 2 years, because they gave up, or the idle stuck when switching gears.

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

Very good advice and I have seen this where the coatings have been removed from the throttle disc and it creates that extra rpm at idle, however this was using carb cleaner, electrical contact spray is what i've used and recommend using, but sparingly!

[@scottykilmer3920]

Exactly ! only use electrical contact cleaner, and dont use a brush only a soft cloth and you should be all good. But to be honest, I also used carb cleaner on purpose. The protective layer is also gone, and it runs 850rpm. The car runs much better this way, its like a new car. 😃

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

I may try that on my automatic, it needs to be fractionally higher so may well deliberately do that! I have a spare throttle body if it's too much !

[@scottykilmer3920]

Good Luck .. When you notice that the car runs better, you know that the special coating is gone.😏

[@arthurmatthews9321]

Has anyone any idea what could cause a surging throttle at about 2500 rpm. My cars a 2003 1.6 petrol focus. It’s not throwing any fault codes , and I have changed the usual suspects. Coil pack, tps , idle valve . It’s doing my head in.😢

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

have you checked the breather hose under the inlet for holes?

[@tonydean5036]

Another great video. Been waiting for this one pal. In case viewers are wondering what the idle values should be, my Haynes Pro software states the following. Idle speed (manual transmission) = 700 士 30 (rpm) and Idle speed (automatic transmission) = 800 士 30(rpm).

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

Thanks for the info! The automatics are always a little higher as a requirement.

[@flycorvus]

Weah, part of the proper maintenace. I NV U, tho'.. :-) On my 1.8 (and 2.0) zetec engine, the IAC valve place is a pain in the @ss.. Need a shoplift or jack and jackstands and a couple of tricks to get there. I have an aftermarket IAC (the third one..), works fine, with new PCV valve and hose. No leaks, smooth idle. Great job, thanks for sharing!

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

I wouldn't trust an aftermarket IAC but if its behaving then that's good! Yes the access on the zetec manifold is much more tricky!

[@Caseyfunnell]

Hi so I’ve been putting shell V-POWER IN MY MK1 and the car feels lovely with that fuel what do you think about shell V-power fuel and all products from shell any experience with them products for the mk1 would be cool to hear about it 👍🏼

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

I use this in all my cars alongside some tesco 99, both have high amount of detergent which really help keep things running well in the long-run. These engines don't coke as much as older ford lumps but I suspect the valves are very clean from quality fuel! If you use quality fuel, there is no need to buy redex or any fuel tank treatment. - its the same detergent in premium fuel :)

[@dazlad1972]

Not being a suck upnir owt as that's not me but my god mate your car should be in the ford heritage fleet warehouse

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

lol I wish, would love to go there!

[@timvandenboogaard5252]

Nice informative video! But I have a question if you don’t mind. I have a focus wich I am restoring. I did a cilinderhead refresh with every gasket because it had 4 oil leaks and a blown headgasket. But now I noticed a leaking dipstick. Is it because of the PCV or piston rings? Also an 1.6 SE blacktop. Thanks in advance!

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

PCV - please check this!

[@dvoz9023]

Is that preservation group your talking about somewhere to be found?

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

The club has a facebook page and has a dedicate forum for members who join the facebook page.

[@stuartmckendrick4845]

nice work sir, did you do the fuel filter video yet or have i missed it. many thanks for your videos iam doing up my mk1 slowly a bit at a time yours stuart.

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

It will be happening on my friends CL very soon.

[@paulleggett9735]

Nice one. Id also recommend those with a 1.8 to check pcv hose going into the back of the engine hasnt collapsed. Causes a crappy idle. Was the case on mine when i bought it with "running iasues“.

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

cheap fix! always satisfying!

[@fpngames4403]

Hey, do know where i can find an oem IACV? I've looked everywhere but i can't find one in good condition...

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

ebay is your best bet from a breaker MK1!

[@fpngames4403]

@@usuallyfixingtinkering One more thing, the car(without my knowing) was working with the breather hose off( it wasn't connected underneath the air filter box). I put it back on, but the car isn't as responsive as it was when the breather hose was off. So I've only left it connected to the rocker arms cover, and the other end that ends up underneath the filter box I've left disconnected. Is there a problem with that? I also took one of the battery poles off because i wanted to do something so the car has relearned working without the breather... You seem to know quite a lot about this car so i wanted your expert opinion. Thank you !

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

okay - in the air box there is a foam filter in the corner underneath the paper one - take it out and wash it out in petrol and put it back in. that should sort the issue

[@fpngames4403]

@@usuallyfixingtinkering Oh alright, thank you very much!

[@dotanguetta9020]

Thanks for the great info. Won't the aic be damaged by the carb cleaner? It has some rubber parts in it. What do you use for cleaning the engine bay?

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

never known it to get damaged by a quick spray of carb cleaner :)

[@shhssnsjs1910]

Is it possible if the pvc valve is gungd up that the car is burning oil and oil in the spark plugs cambers? Or is it only leaking oil trough gaskets?

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

It's such a quick exercise I would just clean it and see! Also change the oil that sometimes cures oil burning

[@shhssnsjs1910]

@@usuallyfixingtinkering thanks for your response i am a bit worryd that i brake something but i wil try it becaus im not a machanic

[@phillipzx3754]

I replaced my IAC valve with an aftermarket (Hitachi brand) and now my car races to shy of 3000 RPM on startup. It takes about 5 minutes of driving before it finally starts to settle down. I still have the original Motorcraft part. I'm going to give it a cleaning and put it back on my Focus. Ford wants close to $100 (U.S.) for a new one.

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

That is typical of how bad the aftermarket ones can be, clean the old one!

[@phillipzx3754]

@@usuallyfixingtinkering Fortunately, I kept the original Motorcraft part. I've cleaned it and it seems to be moving ok, but I haven't tried it on my car yet. I need to replace the front suspension bushing. That's when I'll swap it back. It's just such a pain in the ass part to get at. Why I change the IAC in the first place was because I thought it was bad. Turned out it was a collapsed rubber hose. Once I fixed that (other than the wonky Hitachi IAC) all was fine....at least I thought. Then I took it out for a test drive and discovered the RPM problems while shifting. I'm sure glad I'm able to do my own work. The cost in labor to do this is now more than the car is worth. 🤣

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

100%, I'm glad you found the issue, usually a holed breather causes really bad high rpm or (in my case when mine went some years ago) it wanted to die!

[@shhssnsjs1910]

Thank for this vid can you also make a vid on the inlet manivolt cleaning

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

I will do this at some point but not sure when because it wasn't long ago I did it last time!

[@shhssnsjs1910]

@@usuallyfixingtinkering alright thanks for your vids they are very intresting

[@nash1850]

Thanks again for a brilliant video. I’ve checked my idle as you suggested as all fine - thanks

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

Glad it helped

[@dazlad1972]

Sounds a lot lot louder than mine that mate. Cracking vid a s usual

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

does it! It may have been cold that's why!