Focusing in on Ford Focus

If it seems like I'm picking on Fords..........I'm not.  Well, maybe a little.  But it is what it is, and the first rule of Zen Car Repair (along with the other ten first rules) is to accept what is and try not to fight it.  I mean if you bought a ford, that's that your problem not mine.  Ok, ok, I own one too but lets get to the helpful part of this story.  Put down our rocks, stop throwing stones and realize that people who live in glass ford cars shouldn't throw stones.

The Ford Focus comes in a couple of different engines but mostly it's the single overhead cam or double overhead cam versions.  The one I'm discussing is the single overhead model.  

If you find that your Focus is not idling well, or is dying when you turn on the A/C it's time to suspect a couple of different things.  One, the Idle Air Control Valve may be clogged with carbon or it may be sticking.  You don't necessarily have to replace it, but it might be a good idea to clean it out with some carb cleaner and stick it back on.  Two, you may have a PCV hose that has a hole in it.  As I discussed in a previous article, Fords require a hose that doesn't leak in order to idle properly.  Check all hose connections to the PCV  hose system and check for a crack or hole.  As a side note, these hoses are different on the various models so check to see which engine you have before going crazy.  Remember, part of zen car repair is doing your homework to keep your mind pure of suicidal thoughts.  

The third possibility is one that is rare but I have seen.  The power steering pump has a switch on it that raises the idle when you turn so the car doesn't die as more power steering pump action kicks in.  This switch comes in two different forms:  Blue dot, or Green or white dot.  They are very different switches so don't confuse them.  The switch will fail, causing the car to have a crazy idle which affects the rest of idle systems.  In my case, the switch started blowing fluid out the switch itself resulting in a pretty good leak of power steering fluid.  Replacement is easy though, so don't sweat it.  Just unscrew it and screw it back in.  Too bad it costs way more than it should.

Here is a few pictures of our Ford excursion through wonderland:

Power steering switch (green white dot)

 

Idle Air Control Valve (clean if dirty)