Car idles below 1000x RPM. Something wrong ?

[TravisAe86]

It just started doing this a couple days ago. It used to idle on the 1000x directly now its always under that or the needle at idle is going up and down. When I leave the car at idle for a long period of time, the needle drops lower. But the thing is the car doesnt shake and make any different sounds as it should if the needle is dropping. Its just idles regular no funny sounds, but im watching the needle dip below the 1000x mark. Ever since I had this car for all these years it have always idled at 1000x

A couple week ago before this, the car was misfiring like crazy. The RPM needle was running up and down, the car was shaking and I have to rev it to keep the needle up so the car would shut off. Took it over to my guy at pepboys they found out it was the spark plug wires which were bad. They pulled a wire out and it was sparking bad (think of flickering a lighter and it sparks). Pepboys change the wires but now the car idles below 1000x and I occasionally get this burning smell from the engine that comes into the cabin. Its not a strong sent but I notice it. The smell started when the car was misfiring but I fixed that issue. Theres not engine check light on and the needle for running too cold and too hot sits right in the middle.


Any help guys ?

[hill8570]

Nominal idle is ~750, so you're closer to spec than you used to be. Might have a minor vacuum leak. I'd be more concerned about the burning smell.

[TravisAe86]

Originally Posted by hill8570

Nominal idle is ~750, so you're closer to spec than you used to be. Might have a minor vacuum leak. I'd be more concerned about the burning smell.

I didnt know the normal idle was ~750....The car has always idled at 1000x ever since I can remember. Maybe because since i got alot done to my car (read my other post) the car is running better ?

[buci]

Originally Posted by TravisAe86

I didnt know the normal idle was ~750....The car has always idled at 1000x ever since I can remember. Maybe because since i got alot done to my car (read my other post) the car is running better ?

1000 rpm at idle is way to much, it should be around 700rpm on idle.For the smell, you might have an oil leak somewhere, and if it's leaking on top of the exhaust it's going to burn and get smelly, check the engine cover gasket see if you have any leaks there.

[the_professional]

I would think it could be a minor vacuum leak. I assume your IAC is clean enough to eat off of?

& yep, idle @ 750 RPM, +-50 RPM.

[BlueFusion6851]

PCV and IAC sound like the culprits, when was the last time you ran seafoam through the brake booster line?

[iovaykind]

a few times when it was around 60 degrees ive actually had my rpm idle at around 500. at first i was afraid it would die on me but my dad told me it was fine and a lower idle, provided the car doesnt stall, is good

[TravisAe86]

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

PCV and IAC sound like the culprits, when was the last time you ran seafoam through the brake booster line?

When....how about never. Is that bad? Might sound noob....but little insight about the PCV and IAC ?

[TravisAe86]

Originally Posted by iovaykind

a few times when it was around 60 degrees ive actually had my rpm idle at around 500. at first i was afraid it would die on me but my dad told me it was fine and a lower idle, provided the car doesnt stall, is good

Same. The whole time i was driving home i was scared the car was gonna shut off. It never did but its scary to see the needle so low lol.

[cruisn76]

Originally Posted by TravisAe86

Same. The whole time i was driving home i was scared the car was gonna shut off. It never did but its scary to see the needle so low lol.

Not to worry. Like everyone has said 750 RPM is normal. If you had a carburetor car then 1000 rpm +- 200 RPM is normal.

U did say you replaced the spark plug wires and now it idles lower. So all this time you were driving a defective car

[the_professional]

Originally Posted by TravisAe86

When....how about never. Is that bad? Might sound noob....but little insight about the PCV and IAC ?

Then your IAC is prolly your culprit.

Really never?

Get some deep creep spray it in the butterfly valve, brush brush brush.

Run regular seafoam through the brake booster!

[the_professional]

If your around, I can meet up & we could see if we could check out your engine. & maybe clean out your throttle body. If you live in Brooklyn or Queens.

[bdy0003]

Read about cleaning your throttebody here: How to: Cleaning Throttle Body -4 Cylinder Engines- With Pictures

As for the PVC, google it to see what it looks like, but its better to buy a new one from the dealer since its a pretty cheap part. Also buy a grommet with the PVC.

[#2!]

I bet you got horrible gas mileage idling at 1k. My tach looks just like yours right after everything has warmed up. Also my temp gauge usually stays just a little under half. So it sounds like you have things running almost normal now except the smell. Do a full tune up if you haven't already and check for anything leaking. Search the threads for seafoam and cleaning the throttle body. Do that and then change out the spark plugs & PVC valve.

[buci]

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

PCV and IAC sound like the culprits, when was the last time you ran seafoam through the brake booster line?

Yeah, it might be,just change the pvc-won't cost much. Might as well clean throtle body and IAC and while your at it go ahead and seafoam it.
I tried it few times on my Es 300 and it helped, idle is steadier and quieter and the car feels more powerful.
Just be careful not to put to much of that stuff in your engine or it might get hydrolocked. Here is how i did it with a spray bottle http://www.carinstructions.com/seafoam-engine-cleaning/