1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

really low idle?

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Old 04-20-04, 03:22 AM
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its supposed to do that

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really low idle?

so i changed the plugs, wires, air filter, and fuel filter the other day and started premixing. once i restarted the car it idles so low its on the lowest mark on the tach. i can distinctly hear each exhaust pulse, and its just barely running fast enough to keep going. has anybody else had this happen? what should i check first?


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Old 04-20-04, 09:10 AM
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why is this bad?
if its idleing really low and staying there i thought it'd be good?!

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Old 04-20-04, 10:26 AM
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mine idels at 1000 to 1100 rpm's i have not had any problems with it dieing out at all . seem to run just fine.
Old 04-20-04, 10:28 AM
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I think if he's idling at the lowest mark on the tach (2K), it's a bit too low.
Assuming you have already tried to adjust your idle, I'd start by checking for vac leaks. You never mentioned what car you have (12a / 13b) - that would help.
Old 04-20-04, 12:41 PM
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The lowest mark on the tach is 200 rpm. Thats damn near impossible. I think your starter spins the engine at that speed. I can't conceive the engine running at such a low rpm. Are you sure your tach works?
Old 04-20-04, 12:57 PM
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I've messed around before and got the idle right around 400 rpm, but 200...that is something else. Just adjust the curb idle speed adjustment screw to bump up the idle.

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Old 04-20-04, 01:25 PM
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Re: really low idle?

Originally posted by flight_of_pain
what should i check first?

isaac
if you have a 13b engine I would adjust the throttle body sensor. Not sure if 12a engines have the same senor or not.

http://www.racingrotary.com/tps.htm
Old 04-20-04, 01:37 PM
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No they don't. That sensor is strictly for the computers use, which also controls the idle of a GSL-SE. I don't think the computer would allow a GSL-SE to idle that low. It would just find a problem in the system and either shut the engine down or try to compensate.
Old 04-20-04, 02:00 PM
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Mine is in the local shop trying to figure out why it is idling so low. I rhad the carb rebuilt a few months ago and was working fine and now all of a sudden is idling at 200 rpm's. I even hooked up another tach to verify is idling at 200.
Old 04-20-04, 02:00 PM
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its supposed to do that

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sorry but it is a 12a, ill check for vac leaks next, but i believe the tach is ok because it still reads at the same rpm vs speed points(while driving). it is bad because if i get on it off idle it dies.

didnt see your post until after i posted RCH, but that sounds the same. let me know what it is if they figure it out.
Old 04-20-04, 02:03 PM
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Do you know how to tune the carb at all? If you do then you could probably just bump up the idle to the 750 its supposed to be.

I should also mention that vacuum leaks will not cause it to idle low. It does the exact opposite in fact.
Old 04-20-04, 02:17 PM
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There is a single screw that will raise the idle, very simple. Adjust the idle speed with that screw and you will be ready to go.
Old 04-20-04, 02:26 PM
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I have raised the idel up numerous times but after a few days it drops back down.
Old 04-20-04, 03:14 PM
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Originally posted by 85rotarypower
Do you know how to tune the carb at all? If you do then you could probably just bump up the idle to the 750 its supposed to be.

I should also mention that vacuum leaks will not cause it to idle low. It does the exact opposite in fact.
Well that's totally not true -
A really serious vac leak will lean the motor out to such an extent that it won't idle at all and if it does, it will be very low and usually rough - bad leaks will cause lean misfires that will barely ignite at all and drop your idle like a rock.
I should mention that I assumed this guy has already adjusted his idle - if he can't get it to climb with the idle screw, many times it is caused by bad leaks. I've been there.
Old 04-20-04, 03:21 PM
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adjust the slack out of your throttle cable, then make sure the jam nuts are tight
Old 04-20-04, 03:34 PM
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Jam nuts are tight and cable has been adjusted. I guess will need to double check for vac leaks.
Old 04-20-04, 03:50 PM
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vac leak will not cause a low idle
Old 04-20-04, 03:50 PM
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vac leak will not cause a low idle
Old 04-20-04, 03:51 PM
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vac leak will not cause a low idle
Old 04-20-04, 03:54 PM
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sorry, my computer said the site was not responding
Old 04-20-04, 03:58 PM
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check the secondary air valve for being partally or fully stuck closed, because it may be running on one rotor at idle
Old 04-20-04, 04:00 PM
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If you don't believe that a vac leak can cause a low idle, try removing the cap from the bigass nipple behind the shutter valve where automatic transmissions hook up.
Old 04-20-04, 04:21 PM
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Originally posted by bouis
If you don't believe that a vac leak can cause a low idle, try removing the cap from the bigass nipple behind the shutter valve where automatic transmissions hook up.
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Old 04-20-04, 06:19 PM
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Ok i did'nt want to start a new thread so... i found the air adjust screw the thing that you can see when you look below the carb from the drivers side and messed with that. now this might sound stupid but which way is lean and which way is rich cause my car sometimes floods under heavy acceleration. And the second question is where the crap is the idle adjust screw??????? i looked for it but all the piece of crap vac lines are in the way SOMEBODY HELP please. thank you.
Old 04-20-04, 06:28 PM
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Turn the screw in to lean it out and out to richen the mixture.

As for vacuum leaks creating a low idle, I guess it is possible. It does make sense, I have just never seen a vacuum leak create a low idle.


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