Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: kevpuk on 03 November 2008, 17:58:13

Title: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 03 November 2008, 17:58:13
My Omega started playing up this afternoon on a trip to the office :(
Came to a halt at a t-junction and had it in neutral, the engine kept revving itself, more or less consistently between 1000-2000rpm.......then, after pulling away, it proceeded to stall the next time I was stationary. This contiuned as a theme, each time I had to stop at lights etc., the engine either did that wierd revving thing or cut out ! Then, after a couple of miles down a dual-carriageway, it was fine next couple of stops, until whilst parking it stalled again !
Even whilst on the dual-carriageway, there were occasions that it felt like the car was pushing on a little, even when I had no throttle - what I mean is I could lift off and it didn't seem to slow......
So, gurus, what has suddenly happened to my car !! It was fine earlier this afternoon, and has never demonstrated such symptoms before ?
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: Moos3h on 03 November 2008, 19:19:37
I'm guessing Idle Control Valve here...mine did exactly the same yesterday - pulled over (hard shoulder...eep) and disconnected it which got me home safely.

Quick trip to Halfords for some Carb Cleaner and all is well again.

Cheers,
James
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 03 November 2008, 19:29:11
Carb cleaner ? Sorry, for the unitiated  :-[ idiot's guide ?
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: achoo81 on 03 November 2008, 20:05:03
Go to your local Halfords or spares shop ask for carb cleaner it's in a n aerosol can then remove the idle air valve from the plenum give it a very good clean with the cleaner( be careful it's extremely flammable) then a small squirt of a thin oil (3in1or similar) to lubricate it then replace it and all should be well.
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: mv6copcar on 03 November 2008, 20:07:47
Quote
My Omega started playing up this afternoon on a trip to the office :(
Came to a halt at a t-junction and had it in neutral, the engine kept revving itself, more or less consistently between 1000-2000rpm.......then, after pulling away, it proceeded to stall the next time I was stationary. This contiuned as a theme, each time I had to stop at lights etc., the engine either did that wierd revving thing or cut out ! Then, after a couple of miles down a dual-carriageway, it was fine next couple of stops, until whilst parking it stalled again !
Even whilst on the dual-carriageway, there were occasions that it felt like the car was pushing on a little, even when I had no throttle - what I mean is I could lift off and it didn't seem to slow......
So, gurus, what has suddenly happened to my car !! It was fine earlier this afternoon, and has never demonstrated such symptoms before ?

As posted above - IC Valve - mine does the same every 6-9months, very quick cheap and easy to sort out

 :y
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 03 November 2008, 20:08:37
Cool, sounds easy enough - now, where is the valve ?! Totally useless, I know :(
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: Anthony on 03 November 2008, 20:10:24
could it not be a dirty MAF meter aswell?  had that problem on a vectra.
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: achoo81 on 03 November 2008, 20:17:19
It's on the side of the plenum chamber on top of the engine it has an electric cable on one end and a 1 inch diameter pipe on the other, if you look in the maintence section you should find a how to do it there.
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: Pete Elite on 03 November 2008, 20:52:26
Quote
Cool, sounds easy enough - now, where is the valve ?! Totally useless, I know :(

       Red arrow points the way
         Hope this piccy helps :y

      (http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/Omega1958/P2050082.jpg)
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 03 November 2008, 22:50:06
Splendid - thanks :D
Halfords here I come......
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 04 November 2008, 04:16:09
Quote
I'm guessing Idle Control Valve here...mine did exactly the same yesterday - pulled over (hard shoulder...eep) and disconnected it which got me home safely.

Quick trip to Halfords for some Carb Cleaner and all is well again.

Cheers,
James

That's a very good tip James as it is all too easy to forget that components such as the ICV require a good clean every time you service the car, just as you should with the oil breather system. :y :y
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 04 November 2008, 09:22:02
Got the cleaner (some Wyns stuff) :)

So, do I need to remove just the 1" pipe and spray in ? Or must I disconnect from the plenum too......if so, is it a push fit or what do I need to unscrew/disconnect ?

(spot the complete novice)
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 04 November 2008, 09:42:29
Quote
Got the cleaner (some Wyns stuff) :)

So, do I need to remove just the 1" pipe and spray in ? Or must I disconnect from the plenum too......if so, is it a push fit or what do I need to unscrew/disconnect ?

(spot the complete novice)

Yes, after discontecting the pipe and the electrical connector it simply pulls out of plenium. :y
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 04 November 2008, 10:59:53
All done, cleaned and lubed - off to work in about 45mins so will see if it starts  :o
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 04 November 2008, 11:02:12
Quote
All done, cleaned and lubed - off to work in about 45mins so will see if it starts  :o

All the best then Kev; job well done (we hope that cures the problem! :-?)  :D :D :y
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 04 November 2008, 11:14:29
Quote
All the best then Kev; job well done (we hope that cures the problem! :-?)  :D :D :y

Thanks, although let's reserve judgement........until it starts and idles normally  ::)
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 04 November 2008, 12:58:02
Yayyyyy - I am a mechanic genius  :D

Thanks to one and all for your advice; my £4.99 and judicious spraying/cleaning seems to have done the trick - idled normally at all times on way to work....happy :)
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: stowboy on 04 November 2008, 13:24:02
well done you :y just the reason why this forum is sooooo good!! :D
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: kevpuk on 04 November 2008, 13:34:43
Quote
just the reason why this forum is sooooo good!! :D

Agreed - any members reading this feel free to pat yourselves on the back ! Great community, great knowledge and - perhaps most importantly - great patience/understanding :y
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: unlucky alf on 04 November 2008, 13:36:20
yes kev well done & im glad your happy, cos you wont be when the consultation bills arrive from the advisors ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Eeek - suddenly rough idling, racing engine ?
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 04 November 2008, 17:56:40
Great news Kev!! :y :y :y ;)

You are a qualified Omega mechanic now, so you can start working on other people's cars!! 8-) 8-) 8-)  






Don't worry only joking!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)