High Idle/temp after Head Gasket R & R

[stan_5150]

Hi all, 95 3.1 125K.

We just bit the bullet and had the Head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, intake etc. changed. When we were driving it home we noticed still a bit of residual white smoke (no odor) from the exhaust. Additionally, it seems to be running north of the 220 degree mark, and the idle seems to be higher than I remember it being when it was "well."

The car basically sat in the driveway for a cold Minnesota winter so I tossed a bottle of heet into the tank to see if that white smoke has something to do with water in the line. Any other causes? I talked to our mechanic and he says to run it for a couple of days to see if some of the residual smoke goes away but what do you suggest about the high idle? I think the coolant system needs to be re-bled to get rid of the temp fluctuation probs.

Thanks n advance.

[xeroinfinity]

If the temps are fluctuating up and down then Id say their might still be air in the system.
If this 95 has a radiator cap, check the fluid level cold and fill if necessary. Then remove the radiator cap and let it warm up with the heater on "heat". This will clear any air in the heater core.

If you dont have a cap, then you should have a bleeder valve on the recirculator tube, above the water pump. Allow it to warm up and open the bleeder from time to time to see if any air is coming out or just coolant.

On the high idle, check the vacum lines or listen for whistling coming from a vacum hose.
Could also be your idle air control valve-IAC , this is what controls idle. It could be dirty and the port clogged or a loose/bad wire.

Hope that helps!

ps their is a small procedure in the Tips and Maintenance section on bleeding your cooling system and on the IAC. It says its for the 99+ but is relavent to your 95 problems. good luck!

[stan_5150]

good stuff. I'll take a gander in the morning! I'll post my findings. Thanks X.

[xeroinfinity]

Keep us posted !

Also has the oil been changed since the gasket replacement ??

If not I'd do so, the smoke may be coming from contaminated oil.

[stan_5150]

yes actually the oil was changed after the gaskets were replaced. I do believe that there might be come fluid in there and it's taking its natural course of burning it's way out of the system.

[stan_5150]

follow up:
Our Mech took a look at the high idle and apparently there was a loose connection into the throttle body. Tightened that up and the whistling went away with the high idle condition. Re-bled the system and now runs right around or a tick above the 220 mark. Now hopefully we can keep her running for a few more serviceable years! Thanks again X for your advice/input.

[xeroinfinity]

Yeah a vacum leak will cause high idle.

Though the temp at 220 seems high still. You can get a 180-185 deg thermostat which will make it run cooler.

And you're welcome !

[stan_5150]

One last question: will running 220 do any long term damage or should I go get a 180-185 t-stat?

[xeroinfinity]

yes it can be harmfull if it continues to run at 220 deg.
At about 230 deg your fan should kick on.

I'd make sure you've bled all the air out of the cooling system. And remember to turn on your heater to clear that area also.

Other then that your IAC is most likly the problem with the high idle , if you dont have any vacuum leaks.