Hi
I'm Philipp and have recently bought myself a focus mk1 (2.0 esp with 141k miles)
When I got it, it had a slight problem with the idle. It would ocassionally drop slightly while stationary and judder a little bit, just an annoyance but nothing serious really. Drove great though
Well couple of days ago I sent it in for a big service. Had the cam-belt done, oil and filter change, spark plugs changed, new engine mounts and MAF cleaned. Also apparently checked for vacuum leaks and timing and both seemed fine.

Well I got it back and it drives terribly now. The idle is so bad now and it constantly tries to cut out but then revs up again at the last moment. Also the engine wobbles back and forth very badly in the mounts below 1500rpm
and due to this the car shakes back and forth when stationary or driving at low rpm. The exhaust note has also changed since I got it back. It constantly makes a sort of hollow popping type of sound when its idling. At higher rpm its still smooth though and pulls strongly

I don't want to randomly go replace parts that are still working fine and hope I get lucky so if anyone has had a similar problem or knows what the cause could be any help is appreciated.

Thanks for looking
Philipp

 

Sounds like they have cocked up the cam timing.

Not done a Focus 2.0 but did a MK2 Mondeo belt once, timed it up with the pin to the crank and the timing bar wouldn't go into the cam ends. Thought that the timing was already out so set it all using the pin for the crank and the bar for the cams as the BOOK SAID.

Ran exactly like you are describing.

Luckily I marked the existing position of everything and after doing the whole lot again, it ran perfectly as before.

Not being a pro you live and learn by your mistakes.

 

Yep sounds likes the cams are out of time or a tooth out.