Guys, my aunts 1.8 focus zetec keeps cutting out, car starts fine but you have to keep blipping the thottle to keep it running, the car wont idle just cuts out, it drive ok, but its a bit of a nightmare at the minute.

Any ideas or pointers what i should be looking to replace to repair it for her

Cheers

how old is it? my bmw has been doing similar things, which ive sorted but now its got another problem...

anyway, mine was all to do with the air intake. mine was split between the air flow meter/sensor and the throttle body. ie it was getting more air than it thought it was, not enough fuel,
the rubber intake was split where it joins the idle control valve, sprayed the ICV and air flow sensor with loads of carb cleaner and it idles fine and accelerated better than ever. its a 16 year old car though

might give a starting point though?

The idle controle valves stick when there full of carbon. You could try some carb cleaner but a new one starts at around £30 job done....

edit also look for split vacuume hoses on the back of the manifold.

[Edited on 20/7/11 by big_wasa]

On my 1.8 2000 focus, my idle control valve went and caused a similar issue. As and when it wanted it would cut out (at idle of course), normally at lights. Was about 70-80 from a very poor memory. Is a fiddly job but doable with a small 1/4 ratchet.
HTH

John

On my 1.8 2000 focus, my idle control valve went and caused a similar issue. As and when it wanted it would cut out (at idle of course), normally at lights. Was about 70-80 from a very poor memory. Is a fiddly job but doable with a small 1/4 ratchet.
HTH

John