When I'm stopped with the clutch in, my idle jumps to 1000 RPM - slip it into neutral and let out the clutch, the the RPM/s drop to where they're supposd to be. Is this something to be concerned about or is this normal for an SE (although I doubt it!). You wouldn't think this is a major problem but I want to make sure I don't have some clutch activated vac leak / gremlin / what ever....

 

hmm.. mine jumps up a little when I put in my clutch, but not that much... it goes from about 900 to 1000

the engine is just having to spin that much more/less weight... if you have the stock heavy flywheel.

 

thanks Metallic - never thought of that. Just seemed strang because my '83 didn't do this or maybe I just didn't notice

 

my 91 tends to do that. it will "catch" at 1k but will knock down when i let the clutch out due to the input shaft drag.

 

My 84SE does the same thing, since the BCAV valve on the driver's side of the dynamic chamber controls idle compensation. This is in response to either increased load on the engine from the alternator (lights on, radio on, fan blower motor on, etc.), and bumps up the idle speed to keep it from dropping below 800-900 rpm with all accessories on.

This is the same function when you allow the transmission to spin with the clutch out and the transmission out of gear. You're spinning the shafts, gears, synchro's, and oil from the transmission and this places an increased load on the engine, hence the idle compensator kicks in to bump up the idle speed slightly.

On my car, I also hear the throwout bearing spinning when the clutch is let out with the car out of gear - a sure sign that I need to replace it, and might as well do the clutch while I'm in there (and the front oil seal for the tranny, etc.). HTH,