Hey everyone,

Since I bought my Xr3i it has never had any problems apart from it idles high at around 1250-1300RPM, I mentioned this to a mechanic when he was fitting a new starter motor and he adjusted the car to 1000RPM, it sounds a lot more healthy and normal on idle however when slowing down to say a junction the revs drop way too fast and the engine ultimately cuts out. I've put the idle rpm back to 1300rpm for the time being but does anyone know what could be at fault for this or has anyone had a similar problem?
Many thanks - Travis

(Ford Escort XR3i MFI 1989 1.6)

 

I'd suggest the Idle Speed Control Valve. I had similar problems and this was the culprit.
Good luck, John

 

Mfi doesnt have an ISCV.

Sounds like an air leak to me. Check all your vacuum hoses and that the decel valve (black cylinder on airbox) isnt jammed open.

Is fuelling and ignition timing set up properly on this engine as that will also have an effect?

 

Thanks Haz and Tommy, I appreciate the replies.

As Haz said, it's an MFi so it doesnt have ISCV

I've given the car a complete check over and found a split breather pipe but it really doesnt make any difference to the running, I did get a shock off the HT lead though so I am thinking maybe it's getting a weak spark.

Took the cylinder on air box off and couldn't blow through, is that right? And how would I go about testing it?
Also how can I adjust the fuel mixture?
(Timing is bang on by the way, nothing wrong in that respect)

Thanks - Travis

 

Ignition timing bang on? Not just cam timing..

The fact you cant blow through it shows the diaphragm is in tact which is good so that wont be leaking.

You need a co2 meter (friendly mot station) to set the fuelling but i'd only set this once the ignition timing is set also (12degrees btdc for a standard engine on decent fuel will be fine)

The HT leads wont be causing it to stall on coast down like that -worth replacing anyway if their breaking down tho! PS: HT shocks hurt don't they,lol

 

Yeah definitely, I'll be changing the breather pipe, HT leads and whilst I am at it the distributor cap tomorrow anyway.

Around a month back the cam belt, water pump etc was all changed and the timing was done (Ignition and cam) and as I say the car runs sweet when idling at 1250-1300. Its only when trying to get it down to a more normal idle of 1000 that its started playing up. Other owners i've all spoken to all have their xr3is sitting nicely at 900rpm or so

I wonder if the high idle could have been compensating the timing by idling high?

(And yeah them HT shocks hurt like a ***** lol)