Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[BazaJT]

Since owning my omega 3.0 it has always idled at an indicated 500 revs,however since having the cam cover gaskets changed it stalls at this engine speed!Using the not very scientific method of watching the dashboard clock the engine will run for a maximum of 4 mins at 500 revs and then stall.The engine will restart instantly and then either stall straight away or  idle for up to the 4 min maximum!Tests? so far are to pinch off the pipe going into the front of the idle control valve,this affects the revs during the time the engine is warming up but once at 500 revs it makes no difference.Pulling the pipe from the front of the icv with the engine running produces an inrush of air[so a vacuum is present when all is connected]and the engine stalling immediately.The electrical plug has been removed from the rear of the icv and shows power is getting to it.So am I looking at an icv which is kaput or am I staring down the barrel of something more serious?If I keep the revs at about 650 or so the engine will run for ever and a day,but of course you can't manually alter the idle speed with a screw or anything.The car is a w reg,year 2000 facelift model[in case it makes a difference] 

[Rods2]

Sounds like you may have a sticking ICV.

[BazaJT]

This was my thinking,so I've sprayed the biggest part of a can of throttle body cleaner down it with the net result of making no difference!I don't mind buying a new icv but I don't want to keep buying bits only to find it's not solving the problem but heyho I suppose I've got to start somewhere as it's starting to annoy me,and if I get too annoyed the car will have to go!

[feeutfo]

Absolutely the right approach. Confirm the fault first, then change the part.

So it might be worth a paper clip test to check for code 19 crank sensor, to be belt and braces, but in all honesty symptoms described are fairly classic icv. Although yours is pretty metronomic in its timing, which is odd IMO.

On my old 2.5cdx I had a persistent stalling and it took at least 6 real thorough soaks in crb cleaner before it behaved. The light oil(3 in one) is also important to help the mini throttle in the icv operate smoothly, and check there are no chips or burrs on the leading edge of the internal valve that can make it stick.

On re fitting insure its air tight in the rubber gromit.



If it still stalls after that lot with no evidence a 19 then try another used one from a breaker here maybe. Or Steve at omega spares in Heathrow.

[TheBoy]

Is the idle rock steady, or is it hunting slightly?

[Webby the Bear]

not hijacking but chris..... 3 in 1..... do you put this in just before refitting? i've only ever blasted it with carb cleaner and then refitted? i'm finding that my idle is about 400rpm..... was 600rpm.

[TheBoy]

not hijacking but chris..... 3 in 1..... do you put this in just before refitting? i've only ever blasted it with carb cleaner and then refitted? i'm finding that my idle is about 400rpm..... was 600rpm.

A drop (just 1 drop) of a light machine oil on refitting after cleaning. 3-in-1 is fine for this

[BazaJT]

Again this is a bit of an odd one.most of the time the idle is steady and then the engine just dies,but now and then the idle will drop below its usual indicated500 revs and then pick up to about 650 then drop back to the 500 before stalling.

[Webby the Bear]

not hijacking but chris..... 3 in 1..... do you put this in just before refitting? i've only ever blasted it with carb cleaner and then refitted? i'm finding that my idle is about 400rpm..... was 600rpm.

A drop (just 1 drop) of a light machine oil on refitting after cleaning. 3-in-1 is fine for this

 

[BazaJT]

I'll try the paper clip route and more carb cleaner and see how that goes.If you add the drop of oil after refitting icv where do you put it?I've seen new icv's on e-bay at 27.70[including postage]these are an Alfa Romeo part but the numbers match and are said to be compatible,worth getting?or does anyone know different?

[TheBoy]

Again this is a bit of an odd one.most of the time the idle is steady and then the engine just dies,but now and then the idle will drop below its usual indicated500 revs and then pick up to about 650 then drop back to the 500 before stalling.

Could potentially be an air leak...

Does it stall/lose power when not at idle?

[BazaJT]

No loss  of power/stalling when  it's above idle.While sat on the drive in park/neutral if I keep the revs upp at about 650 or so it'll run all day,plant the throttle and it'll sing to the redline without hesitation.Out on the road it'll fly like a bird,until coming to a road junction/traffic lights etc.,when it'll just die but at least it'll restart instantly si I'm not a mobile road block!To try checking for air leak I've sprayed a load of WD40 at it with the engine running as this usually alters the revs,but in this case it made no difference.

[TheBoy]

OK, rules out a slighlty failing MAF, so back to air leak or ICV. ICV's need several cleans if they haven't been cleaned properly for a while.

[BazaJT]

I have managed to drop on a bit lucky perhaps, talking to a slight aquaintance today about it[not seen him for yonks]turns out he has a diagnostic/code reader gizmo,which he says he'll bring tomorrow and plug it into car to"interrogate"it.Hopefully this will if not pin point the problem at least it should narrow the field somewhat?

[TheBoy]

I have managed to drop on a bit lucky perhaps, talking to a slight aquaintance today about it[not seen him for yonks]turns out he has a diagnostic/code reader gizmo,which he says he'll bring tomorrow and plug it into car to"interrogate"it.Hopefully this will if not pin point the problem at least it should narrow the field somewhat?

Possibly won't help in this case TBH.