It sounds like some form of air leak or a loose cold start valve. First have a general check of the air pipes around the inlet manifold to see if any are loose or perished.

You then want to check the cold start valve is tight. (Have a look at the photo I posted in this thread:

 

Hi.

Having a problem with the car idling at 1300-1500. Even when warmed up it's sticking there and not dropping down to 800. It's done it a few times in the past, but then gone back to normal. It did it last night, and again this morning. Tried turning off and starting up again but it still did the same thing. It's difficult to change gear without the car surging in to gear as the revs do not drop down.

Can anyone tell me what the problem could be?
Is there something I can do to fix it myself?

Quentin

 

The clutch rest is on the left not the right.......

 

I would remove the ISC and thoroughly clean it.

 

Thanks for the quick reponses. Will give it a go with some carb cleaner? Think that's what it's called?

 

Seems to me, it could be a mod some Dealers might do for free and unasked, when you take your car for a service!

 

Where can you find the idle control valve as I seem to have the same problem, togther with poor mpg? Does anyone have a picture? Would a good fuel injector cleaner also do the buisness? I have tried some STP stuff, all this seems to be is kerosene and did not make any difference other than smell a lot!!
Alex

 

Have a look at my reply above for a picture of the valve.

Simon