Late 500 - Rough Idle Problem
Late 500 - Rough Idle Problem
Author
Discussion

neutral 3

Original Poster:

7,743 posts

187 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
quotequote all
Hi all, the idle on the beast, varies from 1,350 rpm to close to stalling.

The stepper motor was replaced a few years ago and has covered approx 900 miles. I’ve taken it out and cleaned it and the housing and it’s still the same.

Tried disconnecting it and re connecting it, but no change.

Just had the cylinder heads off and some / or all of the valves re ground in, as it was down on compression ( we thought it had blown both head gaskets after boiling up numerous times, but the gaskets were fine )
Not carried out another compression test since the heads were done, its covered about 80 miles since.
The plugs, leads etc are all recent / low miles as well.

Another / or connected fault is, that when say booting it and going into second, as you lift your foot off to change gear, it feels like the engine wants to stall, then back on the gas and it fires again.
It’s driving me mad, any suggestions ?

Steve_D

13,799 posts

275 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
quotequote all
If you unplug the stepper at idle does it still hunt? If it does then it has to be something else.
Have you looked at the readings in rovergauge as these may give a clue.

Steve

blitzracing

6,415 posts

237 months

Saturday 25th April 2020
quotequote all
Any air leaks in the plenum area will play havoc with the idle control as it alters the mixture as the stepper closes its air feed, so the engine does not behave in the way the ECU expects. This leads it to constantly play catch up with the idle control. It would have to be a big air leak however to cause the problem as you throttle off. As Steve says If you can get an even idle, disconnect the stepper (engine running) and see how it behaves.

neutral 3

Original Poster:

7,743 posts

187 months

Monday 27th April 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. Don’t have access to a Rover gauge.

If it is an air leak, as Blitz says, any suggestions on where to look ?

Steve_D

13,799 posts

275 months

Tuesday 28th April 2020
quotequote all
neutral 3 said:
Don’t have access to a Rover gauge
Blitz will sell you one. Well worth having.

neutral 3 said:
If it is an air leak, as Blitz says, any suggestions on where to look ?
Could be anywhere but I would start with the breather hoses that run between the flame trap on the RH rocker cover and run around to connect into 2 places on the other side of the plenum. Vacuum hoses on the RH side of the plenum. Etc.

Steve

neutral 3

Original Poster:

7,743 posts

187 months

Tuesday 28th April 2020
quotequote all
Thanks Steve, il take a look.

neutral 3

Original Poster:

7,743 posts

187 months

Wednesday 6th May 2020
quotequote all
No sign of any split hoses. Ffs, it’s driving me mad !!

RobXjcoupe

3,352 posts

108 months

Wednesday 6th May 2020
quotequote all
The ignition amplifier.

rev-erend

21,587 posts

301 months

Wednesday 6th May 2020
quotequote all
Probably interference from the local 5G mast

hehe

Steve_D

13,799 posts

275 months

Wednesday 6th May 2020
quotequote all
neutral 3 said:
No sign of any split hoses. Ffs, it’s driving me mad !!
Just spotted your in Hampshire.
Best keep my head down or I could end up being the one who has to fix this.

Steve