Lumpy idle and initial throttle response.

[fairclp]

Good job I'm in for the 18K on Monday.

Over the last week idle has become increasingly lumpy and and initial gentle press on the gas almost stalls the engine before it picks up. Fine once going though.

I've done lots of short trips recently during the week (~5 miles but slow traffic and hot weather means she gets to full temps very quickly).

I've also noticed the 1st fan kicking in almost immediately.

Makes me think a mid service (a 3K setup and oil change) is a good idea also.

[rebelstar]

I'm getting something very similar, but only seems to be doing it in the hot weather so I'm not too concerned at the moment.

[ginner]

I am getting exactly the same with my T350t. Can be so smooth some days and then it just goes to rat shit. It spits back like it running on carbs? Idle can be all over the place, then steady s a rock when warmed up properly. Have had it checked out and throttle pots tested, was ok for a week or so. Makes me think something it intermittently failing or effected by heat?

j

[honahonT350]

I was at Westover sports garage this weekend and they had a sag they were fixing that had just the same issue. Sorry I can't remember what the exact problem was but if it's any consolation it was not a big fix. He had the engine linked up to a computer and it took him just a few minutes to get the revs perfect.

Not sure if the guy who owns that car is on this site but one of you might know him. Orange / Gold Sag from Southampton and he does adventure driving courses or something like that. If anyone knows him then he might be the man to ask.

HTH.

J

[AlexRWD]

I've just had something v similar only 2,500 miles after last service, and had to have the spark plugs and HT leads replaced! Has certainly cured the problem, was just surprised to need this after only 2.5k miles, but apparently the leads were shot anyway, which presumably made the problem worse.

[nubbin]

Interesting one this - mine has always done the same thing, but was cured temporarily after each service. I assumed the timing was out. Mine always, always chuffs to a halt after starting from cold, but is fine once restarted and has run for about 200 yards - so I always stall at the end of my drive, but after 30 seconds on the main road, it's running fine. Maybe some Magnecour leads will solve the problem?

[alt]

Hi Nubbin, as you know I've had the same problem with my car but after it was blueprinted at 30,000 miles it's been perfect ever since. It now starts using the key alone and idles without stalling! It could be just because the idle revs had been raised to about 950rpm?
Cheers.... Andrew
PS. It's in for its 36,000 mile service today.

[Hilti]

I've got Magnecour leads on mine and it still does it?

[honahonT350]

alt said:

Hi Nubbin, as you know I've had the same problem with my car but after it was blueprinted at 30,000 miles it's been perfect ever since. It now starts using the key alone and idles without stalling! It could be just because the idle revs had been raised to about 950rpm?
Cheers.... Andrew
PS. It's in for its 36,000 mile service today.

Mine too, I dont need to apply and revs to start, even when it's bone cold. Just a burbble and it's OK.

[nubbin]

alt said:

Hi Nubbin, as you know I've had the same problem with my car but after it was blueprinted at 30,000 miles it's been perfect ever since. It now starts using the key alone and idles without stalling! It could be just because the idle revs had been raised to about 950rpm?
Cheers.... Andrew
PS. It's in for its 36,000 mile service today.

Hi Andrew - glad to see you still keeping faith with your car - I wish I was still on my original Tamora - God I loved that car because of it's colour and the fact that I specced it from new. Perhaps I'll ask the service guys to raise the idle speed a bit - it does want to drop to 600-650 all the time. I'll get it raised to 750 and see what that does before lashing out £110 on Magnecors. Plus £1500 for a warranty, then trash the engine and get a blueprinted replacement like you did!

[alt]

nubbin said:

Hi Andrew - glad to see you still keeping faith with your car - I wish I was still on my original Tamora - God I loved that car because of its colour and the fact that I specced it from new. Perhaps I'll ask the service guys to raise the idle speed a bit - it does want to drop to 600-650 all the time. I'll get it raised to 750 and see what that does before lashing out £110 on Magnecors. Plus £1500 for a warranty, then trash the engine and get a blueprinted replacement like you did!

I did think 950rpm was slightly high but over the past 6000 miles it's actually dropped to around 750rpm. Interesting to see if they raise it again as part of the service.
With hindsight I probably should have sold it after three years but as it was running so well I decided to keep it. Guess that even though I had to fork out for the blueprinting it was still cheaper than buying a newer car whose history I wouldn't know 100%.
Cheers..... Andrew

[hollowlegs]

my car seems to idle at 900rpm for the first few seconds, then idles at 1600 rpm for a minute, then sits at 1200rpm once warm.

[alt]

Blimey! 1200rpm seems way too high....

[fairclp]

She was a bit happier this morning on the way to work.

Only grumbled a lttle.

She'll be back to use usual self on the way home!

[basil brush]

I've had similar on my Tuscan, once plugs and leads sorted it, the other time it was a lambda sensor.