Car's running reeeeally rough.

[Morphius289]

Well, it's that time of the week again. Something else is wrong with my car

So, my starters been fucked since a couple weeks ago, and I just havn't had the money to fix it even thought it's pretty cheap. I go out to my car today, try to start it, and the engine just keeps turning over. Eventually, I get it to start, and my RPM's jump to 2K and stay there. I drive around, and whenever I push the clutch in, the RPM's immediately dive down to 2K. After a while, it goes back to normal.

On a sidenote, we found out that my car was leaking coolant, but it doesn't seem to be leaking it anymore. I'm thinking my water pump might be broken, but who knows. Anyways, help would be much appreciated. Someone save me before I kill my car.

[Morphius289]

Anyone? I also realized that my oil temp. is kinda high. Any suggestions?

[xXxRocker5150]

could be a few things, the fact that you're idleing at 2k suggests to me wierd shit like a bad MAF, or what's that thing that you 3s guys always have... ETCAS or something, maybe even a bad ecu as well. Are you burning any oil either??? high oil temp + leaking coolant sounds like a gasket/seal problem. Good luck buddy, I just don't know. Stealthee where are you!!!??

[Morphius289]

I asked stealthee last night...and he had no idea. About the burning oil question, what color smoke comes out when you burn oil vs burning water? If I'm right, I think that oil is black smoke and the water is white, but I could have the two mixed up. Anyhow, I'm smoking white.


And rockers mom is smoking hot.

[sLADe781]

LOL I'm always asking Stealthee through AIM too. Maybe it's an asian thing? Hehe

[Igovert500]

oil is bluish, black is from running rich, white is coolant. I got a few ideas, but I gotta run. I'll write up suggestions when I get back.

[Linebckr49]

like i said last night in the AFchatroom before you signed off. try adjusting the BISS screw that adjusts the idle, see if you see any noticeable difference.

but what is odd and weird is that it idles HIGH at 2k rpm!@#@!@

are you getting a CEL?

i would check the normal stuff like MAF, ISC, BISS.

i'm sure Geoffykins will chime in with some moral wisdom when he gets back from running

[Twizted_3KGT]

IAC? That's always been common with these cars, it'll make your idle do weird things. You positive the smoke is white? the difference between white smoke and the bluish smoke oil makes isn't much.

[Stealthee]

I got white grey smoke going on. LOL When I start the Stealth its not only profusely burning oil but burning water too.

[Linebckr49]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

I got white grey smoke going on. LOL When I start the Stealth its not only profusely burning oil but burning water too.

VSS and thermostat? maybe not thermostat. if burning water, then what's teh solution?

[Stealthee]

Bad rings and anything from cracked head to a numersous amount of other things... The way it acted the day it broke it seemed as if it ate a valve. All I know is its losing water and none is leaking and none is in the oil pan.

[Linebckr49]

so that's why your car has been sitting for the past 6 months!

/thread hijack

[Stealthee]

Umm duhhhhhh.

[Igovert500]

OK, so here's what I theorize. The Fast Idle Air Valve is the part of your throttle body with coolant lines running through it. The fast idle air valve is open when the throttle body is cold and bypasses enough air around the butterfly to increase the idle speed to 1500-2000 rpm. With the coolant lines connected and flowing properly, the valve warms up pretty quickly and closes, and the idle speed drops to normal. Now the problem is, you said you were burning/losing coolant. How much? If the FIAV isn't seeing the coolant temp increase it could be staying open the entire time.

Run the car, is the lower part of the throttle body cool or hot to the touch? If cool it suggests the valve is staying open. Check your coolant. Make sure a) it is at the right level, b) it isn't mixed with oil (oil would be milky and have bubbles) c) make sure the flow of coolant isn't blocked. d) make sure the coolant lines running to the TB aren't broken.


Obviously the high idle may also be caused by a huge leak in the plenum or something like that. Might also not hurt to check your timing. But high idle and coolant issues make me think FIAV. I don't think it's broken, I think that the lost coolant is the culprit. You find where you are leaking/burning coolant and I think this will solve itself.

[Linebckr49]

umm...wow, Geoff. that sounds pretty good. have you been reading the service manual from front to back? i've never heard of the FIAV.

definitely a logical problem with his 2 symptoms.

i guess i need to do more reading.