Ford Focus Fault - Air box Bongo's!

[pezzler]

The Mrs' Focus has been running like poop for the past couple of months so I thought i'd give it a little service today

 

New Spark plugs

New leads

Air filter

Engine oil and filter

Fuel fiter

Drive belt

 

It now runs a little better, but I'm still getting the previous problem. When idling and at low RPM, i'm getting a chugging noise from the exhaust, and a low frequency "bonging" noise from the airbox - it really does run crappy on idle.

I thought i'd open up the airbox and have a better listen, and it does genuinely sound like theres a little fella in there, wailing away on a pair of bongo's!

 

I think it's an unusual one, but then i'm no mechanic. Any one have anything similar to this before? Just wanted a few possible suggestions, was convinced it was the coil earlier today but now i'm edging towards thinking maybe a vacuum leak but its way too late to go take a look now.

 

Cheers

Edited July 3, 2011 by pezzler
Crappy thread title (see edit history)

[gjp]

Early ones had an ecu problem

[pezzler]

Replaced ignition coil

Cleaned down idle valve

Cleaned throttle body

Checked all hoses and manifold for air leaks

 

Still no joy - but seemed to run a little sweeter when I increased the air flow by removing one of the vacuum lines that go to the EGR (located after the butterfly). Guessing the idle valve is starving the engine of air. Had to reconnect the EGR pipe though as it is located downstream of the MAF sensor, didnt want to muck the mixture up too much. Focus' Rock!

 

Booked in for a professional to take a look, cant be doing with with this "replacing parts til its fixed" attitude

 

I think I have this guy lodged in the manifold somewhere

 

Edited July 4, 2011 by pezzler (see edit history)