Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Low Idle Speed When Cold

[RChesney]

I have a 1998 12V with about 80K on it. Runs great when warm, and starts good in the mornings. I live in the Northwest so plug it in at night most of the year. I notice when starting the engine when it hasn't been plugged in that the idle only hits about 550 to 600. Once it runs for a few seconds, I can give it some throttle and then the idle starts to pick up to the normal 700 or so. Is this a fuel preheater problem or something else?

 

[JGK]

I think its just cold and needs to get the oil going through the system to reduce friction a bit. In winter, mine will do that a little, but not so much in the summer - pretty consistant cold or warm these days.



-Jay

 

[tp0d]

Whenever I start I blip the throttle real quick then hold it to about 900-950 to get the oil flowing quick. The first blip of the throttle lets me start within 1-1. 5 secs, works good. . Mine does the low idle thing also, mostly in winter tho.



-j

 

[Heepdriver]

Whenever I start I blip the throttle real quick then hold it to about 900-950 to get the oil flowing quick. The first blip of the throttle lets me start within 1-1. 5 secs, works good. . Mine does the low idle thing also, mostly in winter tho.



-j

I may be wrong but wouldn't this dry spool up the turbo. I have an oil temp and pressure guage in line to my turbo and it doesn't see oil pressure for maybe 5 seconds, 10 if its cold and I have to touch the throttle to keep it runnin. My stock guage reads pressure almost as soon as the motor starts. seeing as how its controled by the computer I figuered this was one of those make you feel warm and fuzzy things, like averaging guages so customers don't come in and ask about there oil pressure going way down at idle in stop and go traffic in the middle of the summer on a 100 degree day with the A/C on. :-{}



For example my manual guage shows me 65-70 psi at 1750rpm on the highway. My dash says 40-45 psi oil pressure, sure there is oil pressure drop through the motor. get off the highway and stop at a red light, neutral at idle, 20-25 psi on the manual guage and 33-38 on the dash. never more than a 15 degree swing on the dash, boy it makes ya feel good when ya watch it. and cold start up on the manual guage is 85-90 psi until the temp guage shows 140 or so.

 

[wcjp]

Sounds like your idle is too low. Should be about 800-825rpm at idle when warm. The higher idle will help when sitting in traffic with the AC running. Especially if you're running an auto. BTW I live in the PNW and very rarely if ever plug it in.