Randomly idles low

BigGlobe

New Member
Hi everyone, I'm fairly new here and could not seem to find a thread that may be able to answer my problem. Well it is more of an annoyance cause I am not sure if it is a symptom for a larger problem.
When I start my engine, sometimes it idles below 400. Other times its as high as 1300.
It does not seem to matter if I have a full, half or quarter tank. I mention that because I have had issues trying to start it because I get a vapor lock in my fuel pump.
Today I found a leak at the top of my rad, so I need to replace that. But this idle problem has been going on for a while now.
my car:
1993 integra LS 164,000 km
Thanks for all the replies
 

ixcocoyxi

RS owner
when cold, it'll naturally idle higher to get to normal operating temp faster.
if its already been driven and then started, it wont do that since the temp is already up.

my guess would be to replace the fuel filter. do you know whens the last time its been changed?
 

cboe90DA

New Member
BigGlobe said:
Hi everyone, I'm fairly new here and could not seem to find a thread that may be able to answer my problem. Well it is more of an annoyance cause I am not sure if it is a symptom for a larger problem.
When I start my engine, sometimes it idles below 400. Other times its as high as 1300.
It does not seem to matter if I have a full, half or quarter tank. I mention that because I have had issues trying to start it because I get a vapor lock in my fuel pump.
Today I found a leak at the top of my rad, so I need to replace that. But this idle problem has been going on for a while now.
my car:
1993 integra LS 164,000 km
Thanks for all the replies
Click to expand...
after you start the car do u rev it up a lil?
 

NemesisCBR

Boredest Member
I wish people would be more detailed in the description of their symptoms. Was the engine cold, was it hot, does it happen when you slow down, on the gas, off the gas, in neutral, coasting, full throttle, half throttle, idle, was the sky grey.. was there a banana in your tailpipe... you know, things like that. Consistancy or inconsistancy of dilemma. Did you do anything to it recently? It would really help if we didnt have to ask 10 questions to narrow it down.
 


Heidi Werner

New Member
My car always idles very low. It concerns us, but since I just bought it we are still trying to diagnose a few problems. It seemed to do better when we gave it an oil change but a few days later, it was back to low idling. We are hoping that its not burning off the oil, but boyfriend said when i was driving it in front of his truck that blue smoke came out of my tail pipe? Could this have anything to do with it? Also the car takes a couple seconds to start up in the morning. The car does this when it's parked, when i stop for a red light or stop sign. I've tried revving it a bit to see if that would help but after I stop revving it, it goes back to the extremely low idling? I am new to the car scene and am really confused. Any ideas would be wonderful. Thanks.
 

NemesisCBR

Boredest Member
Heidi Werner said:
My car always idles very low. It concerns us, but since I just bought it we are still trying to diagnose a few problems. It seemed to do better when we gave it an oil change but a few days later, it was back to low idling. We are hoping that its not burning off the oil, but boyfriend said when i was driving it in front of his truck that blue smoke came out of my tail pipe? Could this have anything to do with it? Also the car takes a couple seconds to start up in the morning. The car does this when it's parked, when i stop for a red light or stop sign. I've tried revving it a bit to see if that would help but after I stop revving it, it goes back to the extremely low idling? I am new to the car scene and am really confused. Any ideas would be wonderful. Thanks.
Click to expand...
ill respond to this in your thread
 


DroolinBuddie

New Member
isn't normal idling suppose to be around 600-800? lol check ur idle adjust screw? ignition timing?...give it a full tune up!...and blue smoke means oil burning, white oil means anti freeze is burning....

lol my friend had the same problem, his ignition timing was off...i helped him out, now it's fine...Good luck with ur problem dooder.
 

dlo253

Active Member
NemesisCBR said:
I wish people would be more detailed in the description of their symptoms. Was the engine cold, was it hot, does it happen when you slow down, on the gas, off the gas, in neutral, coasting, full throttle, half throttle, idle, was the sky grey.. was there a banana in your tailpipe... you know, things like that. Consistancy or inconsistancy of dilemma. Did you do anything to it recently? It would really help if we didnt have to ask 10 questions to narrow it down.
Click to expand...
Considering the fact that he said idle, why would you assume he was at full, or even half throttle........ lol.
 

dlo253

Active Member
Lol, just saying. Cuz since he said idle that would fully rule out his foot being on the gas. But OP I'd start with some of these suggestions.. make sure your timing is set right and all the tune up type parts are in good working order.
 

BigGlobe

New Member
Wow sorry I was not expecting such a large response I just got back from vacation. My car idles at randomly different times, in the summer in the winter, first start of the day, I am going to try swapping my fuel filter tomorrow when I replace my radiator (it has a leak). Thanks, I'll update on the results
 

BigGlobe

New Member
and I meant idle as not hitting the gas. I thought it was unhealthy for the engine to be below 900 and mine was around 400. thanks
 
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