Temperamental Idle on a Zetec Unit

[neilesh86]

My 1.6 Zetec Escort tends to idle quite high when first started (around 1500 - 2000 revs), but settles down nicely once warm. Any ideas why this would be the case?

PS; Spark plugs are replaced every year, and I replaced the spark leads with a new set 8 months ago...

[Trooper2]

I should think that would be normal for a cold start, engine goes to high idle to warm things up quickly for emissions purposes. Does it do it when the car is already up to temp?

[deevlash]

mine idles about 1100 then drops to 1k or just below when warmed up, does seem slightly high

[neilesh86]

Trooper2 said:

I should think that would be normal for a cold start, engine goes to high idle to warm things up quickly for emissions purposes. Does it do it when the car is already up to temp?

No, once its warm it tends be fine - idling around 800 rpm

However the idle on cold is temperamental - at times it is about 1500rpm which I think is alright when it's cold. However, at times it can be 2000rpm which I think is too high...

[Cerberus90]

If it only does it occasionally, it might not be a problem. Does it go higher on cold days?
I think my zetec fiesta starts about 1.5k maybe 1.7k then goes down to just below 1k I think.

[Jonny_uk]

Inlet manifold temp sensor? Engine tempt sensor? All could tell engine to run faster than normal.

[Dave_ST220]

Sounds normal to me-my V6 is the same & Mrs old Escort used to do it too...........

[richyrich86]

I have a 1.6 zetec focus and it idles at about 1500 untill it warms up and then drops to normal

[teddy1600]

My Escort does exactly the same. Apparantly it's normal although a tad annoying.