A Ford Joins My Garage: Ford Figo Petrol (1st Gen) Ownership Review

[mayankdixit]

Car has uneven idle

Idling is still very rough, Although I did not expect it to improve by mere engine oil change.

I have my doubts that solution to this problem may be found in the throttle body or the spark plugs. I showed my Figo to a FNG. He said since the car has run so less, it cannot be the spark plugs, as Ford spark plugs last really long. He says its bad fuel which has deteriorated in the petrol tank for years. He wants the tank flushed properly.
I don't know how much of this is true. But since I have my own doubts, I will be searching the market today for new replacement spark plugs.
deville_56 has appreciated NGK spark plugs for his fiesta. Lets see if I can procure those for my Figo.

 

[deville_56]

I have my doubts that solution to this problem may be found in the throttle body or the spark plugs. I showed my Figo to a FNG. He said since the car has run so less, it cannot be the spark plugs, as Ford spark plugs last really long. I don't know how much of this is true. But since I have my own doubts, I will be searching the market today for new replacement spark plugs.
deville_56 has appreciated NGK spark plugs for his fiesta. Lets see if I can procure those for my Figo.

Check the air filter box too, if not already. It's a perfect 3BHK for rats. Leaky filter can clog the throttle body, like ours.

Stock plugs should last a good 40k km per manual. Sadly, NGK plugs for Fiesta not available anywhere in India, unless some old stock stuck with some dealer. Available at almost every supermarket in US, in case some acquaintance is coming this way.

 

[mayankdixit]

Check the air filter box too, if not already. It's a perfect 3BHK for rats. Leaky filter can clog the throttle body, like ours.

Thanks for the heads up, mate. I will look up there too.
But to be honest, its very stupidly designed air filter box. In my Ritz and Swift there were only 2 clips. Unsnap and it would open. Just like that !!
Here its many -many -many bolts. Its as if Ford wants to make your air filter replacing journey painful, OR don't want you to service it. How do I know all this ? Well when I asked my FNG mechanic to clean air filter by pressurized air, he simply refused !! He cited reason that its not supposed to be cleaned ,like ever.
On pestering he said come on Sunday, as its half an hour job! Then he demonstrated at least 10 bolt positions.

 

[deville_56]

Thanks for the heads up, mate. I will look up there too.
But to be honest, its very stupidly designed air filter box. In my Ritz and Swift there were only 2 clips. Unsnap and it would open. Just like that !!
Here its many -many -many bolts. Its as if Ford wants to make your air filter replacing journey painful, OR don't want you to service it. How do I know all this ? Well when I asked my FNG mechanic to clean air filter by pressurized air, he simply refused !! He cited reason that its not supposed to be cleaned ,like ever.
On pestering he said come on Sunday, as its half an hour job! Then he demonstrated at least 10 bolt positions.

Even Ford guys won't touch them. They open only for replacement. Total 12 bolts. Two for removing the box and 10 for opening the cover. Here it is.

 

[mayankdixit]

Even Ford guys won't touch them. They open only for replacement. Total 12 bolts. Two for removing the box and 10 for opening the cover. Here it is.

Thank you so much for the link.
So many bolts to protect just the air filter. It's as if it is made of palladium and gold.

 

[Akash1886]

Brave Move Mayank! but nice to see that the Figo came into a experienced person's care and shall be taken care of quite well for sure. Your thread reminds me of the SX4 which was under my care back in '14-'15. Ironically you have Tata & Mahindra brands which were connected with Ford during it's life in India

Regards
Akash

 

[mayankdixit]

Brave Move Mayank! but nice to see that the Figo came into a experienced person's care and shall be taken care of quite well for sure.
Akash

Thank you for your compliments.

Ironically you have Tata & Mahindra brands which were connected with Ford during it's life in India
Akash

Yes you are correct. Never thought about it this way.
There is one more coincidence. I own Tata, Mahindra and a Ford,and all 3 make( atleast now making) strong and safe cars. Nothing tinny here left in my garage. Tinny cars, I already sold them in 2017.
I will thank God almighty only for this coincidence and giving me sadbuddhi to do the right thing.

 

[mayankdixit]

I have successfully completed the DIY about changing Spark plugs. Very shortly I will be posting the pictures. Presently I am test driving the Figo,and I am very happy to report that the irregular idling is gone. Now there is no fluctuations in rpm at all.
Idling RPM is fixed at 900. Engine sounds so smooth.
More happy to confirm that my diagnosis was correct.
Irregular idling was due to fouled Spark plugs.

 

[mayankdixit]

Car has uneven idle. Acceleration is very poor.

Idling is still very rough, Although I did not expect it to improve by mere engine oil change.

I have my doubts that solution to this problem may be found in the throttle body or the spark plugs.

DIY changing spark plugs and cleaning throttle body in my petrol FIGO.




I was lucky I could get NGK spark plugs, as the shop was saying its the last lot due to supply chain breaking off in corona.

BS6 ready

Old plug is oil stained and brownish.

Old and new comparison

Old are covered in oil/greasy substance

Before pulling up the spark plugs

Mud collected in spark plug intake plastic housing

Ignition coils have a particular order. Cant be mixed or put wrongly.

I think the old plugs still has life left in them. What say?

spark plug removal socket.

ratchet used in DIY

After cleaning and putting it all back

 

[mayankdixit]

All my day was dedicated to this DIY and procuring the spark plug and throttle body cleaner (from the market) and finding out the right tools from my collection (which I already had with me)
I will be posting rest of the pics tomorrow, as already its very late and I have to compress the photos to <1 mb and all.



Has anybody noticed, that Ford spark plugs have copper ends while "supposedly premium" NGK has aluminium ends.??
I don't know what to make out of all this. And how (if at all) it is going to make a difference in performance ??

 

[VISHNUCARCRAZY]

The old plugs have life only to run the firing, not the ignition. As current deposits can be seen on the core. I would advise you to just chuck it away/ Also stock an NGK set spare always, as it is quite scarce.

 

[mayankdixit]

Continued:
DIY changing spark plugs and cleaning throttle body in my petrol FIGO.

Throttle body was not very dirty, but was very sticky. Meaning that the valve was not moving freely. It was sticking at closed position because of gummy- grime like brownish substance. I cleaned that up with throttle body cleaner

This one ear clip by Ford is easy to remove but very troublesome to put back upon

This one ear clip by Ford is very troublesome to put back upon. Lower clip is more difficult

This one ear clip by Ford is very troublesome to put back upon

This one ear clip by Ford is very troublesome to put back upon. Trick is to put it already before putting the pipe back

Don't spray too much into the plate. OEM bearing grease will wash away

Dirty throttle plate

Air outlet from filter removed

Clean throttle plate

Always I stuff a cloth piece inside air intake. I don't want to get surprised by something falling into it or entering it

After putting every thing back together

So this DIY is now complete. I am satisfied to report that the irregular idling is gone. Now there is no irregular fluctuations in rpm at all.
Idling RPM is fixed at 900. Engine sounds very smooth , and well, petrol like. Compared to my Nexon engine NVH is miles ahead in my Figo.
More happy to confirm that my diagnosis was correct. Irregular idling was actually due to fouled Spark plugs and dirty throttle body.

 

[mayankdixit]

Ford has generously used One ear hose clamp also called Single ear stepless clamp all over the engine bay. Problem is that when you try to remove the hose it might come off easily but when you try to mount it back on the metal pipe, it becomes very difficult. There is no space for the hand or even fingers to put pressure for the mounting.
Try to put the clip before mounting the rubber pipe. It will go easily. Then mount the pipe with the clip.
If you try the clip after mounting the pipe the DIY becomes PITA (pain in the ... ). Hope it helps the DIYers.


One ear hose clamp

Above pics have been taken from the internet. credit : respective owners





Upper and the lower clamp on the air intake pipe

problematic clip

Put the clamp before mounting the pipe, and not after, as it becomes PITA (pain in the ...) then

 

[deville_56]

I never popped it after the first time . Applies a thin film of oil inside the hose and pushes it back.

 

[mayankdixit]

I never popped it after the first time . Applies a thin film of oil inside the hose and pushes it back.

Yes that is also a cool trick. But I am scared of oil entering places where it's not supposed to be. So I would advise use very little oil, if at all.