Bought the missus a Zetec S (Met.Black W plate with 61k on it) and have a couple of possible issues with it so thought i'd best ask on here!! The car does have full history and looks like its been well maintained.

Sometimes, intermittently when starting the car up you need to hold the key cranking the starter for a fair few seconds before it fires up into life. Sometimes it will start straight away, other times it seems a real effort. Is this a common problem on these?? Not really sure what it could be, has full tank of juice, plenty of battery crank etc. Could it be the plugs?

Secondly sometimes the alternator belt starts squeaking/whirring, not the usual white transit van squeal when applying the throttle but a constant whirring noise when idling. Eventually it does go but surely not all zetec s's do this? Is it moisture in/on the belt causing this?

Any advice / ideas would be great.

Cheers
Chris

 

First problem - Idle control valve, its a silver box thing that is fitted with 2 8mm bolts, its just after the throttle body, remove it and give it a thorough clean with carb cleaner, then a light oiling. Make sure the slider moves freely.

Next prob, its a knackered tensioner. Pretty straightforward to replace

 

Aux belt tensioners quite often fail / develop faults on these engines. Apparently there was a revision to them - you could try a focus part if you still get the problem with a new fiesta one.

Chris

 

surely a focus one wont fit as its a different zetec engine to the ones in the ZS fiestas?

 

excellent cheers guys, i'll get a tensioner ordered as well as a belt. Are the tensioners expensive?

Rich170 - is the ICV this mate?



Cheers
Chris

 

yes it is

 

I have the same fault about having to crank the car for a while sometimes but sometimes it starts straight away. I made a topic about it a while ago but none of the solutions worked.

Mine's a 1.4 MK6 Fiesta, could it be the ICV too? Car is on 90k now

 

The engine in the early 1.6 focus is identical to the fiesta ZS one

Yes, thats it, remove two bolts, be careful to recover the seal, blast all the crap out with carb cleaner, then a light re-oil to make sure its all clean and operating smoothly

 

Tensioners are VERY expensive

 

I have a similar problem. I have a 2002 fiesta zetec s and
Sometimes you would have to crank hard to get it started, but this morning I went to and its not even ticking over? When I turn the key it's silent. Could this be the idle valve like you said or the starter motor? Would really appreciate any help you guys can give?

 

Holy thread revival, Batman!
Does it click when you turn the key? If so, starter's dead.

 

No it doesn't even click or make a sound at all. But it jump started?