got an idle problem scince doing the head gasket on my 96 sti the car idles at1800/2000 rpm if i adjust the idle control valve down all the way it idles at1400 rpm but if you turn the engine off it wont start just cuts out if i the readjust the idle valve to run at 800/900rpm as soon as you hit the gas its back at 1800/2000rpm the car has an apexi ecu/avcr decat downpipe dump valve walbro pump 440 cc inj fmic etc iv checked all the boost/breather pipes all seem ok? any ideas? could it be a dodgy idle control valve?

 

anyone?

 

tried resetting ecu, throttle cable ok, no holding butterfly valve open or sticking, maf all ok

 

throtle cable is fine havent tried the maf yet dont know how to test it? the ecu is an apexi with hand held controler iv no idea how to use it yet as iv only had the a month been off the road for 3 weeks! it runs fine bost is a bit wavey at 1.3 bar though iv orderd a compleate manifold with everything on it if that dosent work gonna have to get a specialist to have a look at it. it wasent like it before i did the head gasket?

 

could be manifold gasket no seated quite right , with it running squirt a bit of brake cleaner around the joints , if you have a leak the car rev may pick up and drop down ..

 

thanks. will try that tomorow

 

This can be caused by a vacum pipe missed off the inlet manifold, a split pipe sucking air or as above a poor gasket seal oor dirt in the ICVS system/valve.

 

tried the squrting brake cleaner over all the pipes and gaskets still no joy can you clean the idle control valve with brake cleaner? as im running out of ideas! any thing else i can try?

 

Yes. Try cleaning or adjusting the ICVS. It twists on the mounting after you loosen the two Phillips screws.

 

looks like iv found the problem idle control valve is sticking if i tap it with a spaner it idles normal tried cleaning it yesterday its a bit better but still not right! anyone know the best place that will sell one with out breaking the bank?

 

when you ring for a price make sure you are sat down.

 

Someone that knows what they are doing will be able to fix it for you most likely. Who do you have close by or within a reasonable car drive?
API ? Litchfield?

 

im in port talbot south wales iv tried cleaning it with wd40 and some 1500 grit wet and dry but think its fooked? i get one thing fixed n something else goes wrong my bloody speedo packed in today dont know yet wether its the upper or lower cable or the mechanical converter any ideas on how to check?

 

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