Low idle, high idle... never normal. '97 D1

[ericstock]

'97 D1 96k mi.
It's been acting strange. Sometimes, at idle, it hovers around 15k RMP. On two other occasions it dropped to nothing and stalled. When I restarted it, it really didn't want to fire up, letting off a funny smell (unburned gas?) I could keep it running when I kept my foot on the gas and brake together. Then, the next day it seems fine...So now It's at an indie Rover repair shop . He's good, but he can't find the problem. He checked for codes, nothing. I asked if it could be the stepper motor, but he said if it was that it would be doing it all the time. He thinks it might be the ECU?? Anybody have an idea???? Really hope it's not the computer!!!! THANKS

 

[joey]

I would start by cleaning the stepper motor as you suggested, Also maintenance history is always a good thing... plug type, when they were last changed, fuel filter change, plug wires.

Could also be fuel injectors... lots of things could cause this, but maintenance history is a must in order to really help.

 

[ericstock]

Thanks Joey! The plugs are a few years old (Bosch 4-pronged jobs), and the wires are a year old (Magnacor 8mm). If it is the stepper motor, could that be causing the high and low idle?? If it is, should I just put a new one in, just in case? (won't hold it against you if it doesn't cure it!)

 

[joey]

You can replace it but since the stepper is the normal cause for high/low idle issues I would clean it first... a few years old on plugs... first if it were me I would pull out the bosch and toss them, then buy some cheap champion plugs (remember rovers like cheap plugs, it may be the only cheap thing there, so use them).

 

[ericstock]

OK. I did the plugs (used Champion), fuel filter, and cleaned out the stepper motor with gumout carb cleaner. Lots of black carbon came out, and I let it dry for a couple of hours. After it was all back together, it fired up and ran great. I drove it around for a bit and everything felt good, UNTIL the next day, when my wife took the car. Then it did the stall-out/ low RMP thing again. She tried stopping and restarting it a few times to see if it would clear it, but the problem lasted for a good part of the day. Now, what should be my next move, besides not letting my wife drive it! Any ideas?? Thanks, Eric

 

[joey]

Used champions? hmmm my concern level goes up. Not sure if you can blame used plugs or not...

If the stepper motor helped just for one day, then I would start thinking about fuel injectors. Maybe even carbon build up on the valves.

Go to you local Napa, and buy 3 cans of seafoam they will know what it is. Put one can in the gas, one can in the oil, and the other can will need to be sucked into the intake via the intake plenum hose that comes off of the drivers side (USA driver) valve cover. Just read the directions on the can and enjoy the big cloud of smoke.

If this doesn't help, then I would get the injectors test, also check the fuel pressure on the fuel rail.

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed with a NEW one?

 

[ericstock]

OH!...Sorry, I meant "I used Champion plugs" they are brand new plugs...The fuel filter I just removed is about 2 years old. I'll give the Seafoam treatment a shot. Should I change the oil after the treatment or just leave it in untill the next scheduled oil change? Thanks, Eric

 

[joey]

Change the oil within 200 - 500 miles...

 

[ericstock]

Alright. I did the Sea Foam this past Saturday. It was halarious seeing the faces of people eating brunch along a snobby sidewalk cafe. Here I come barreling down the avenue farting out a massive James Bond smoke screen!!! That was great. Since then I've put on about 300 miles, and I think that stuff has done the trick. No more idle issues!!!! That stuff is incredible. Too bad Sea Foam isn't safe for human consumption.....I bet it would take care of a few issues of my own.

Thanks again Joey!

 

[joey]

I bet that was funny seeing the smoke at the cafe.