1500 RPM Idle, is this normal?

[mikestewart395]

I just bought my 88 Pathy 3 days ago.The Idle seems high to me. It Idles at about 1500-1600 RPM. If this is not normal how can I adjust this?

[Precise1]

You are Abby Normal.

 

It could be quite a few things, so... There are some sensors to check, connectors to wiggle and a engine control unit to check for stored problem codes.

How mechanically inclined are you?

 

The directions are in the Garage/How To section, pinned to the top...

 

B

[mikestewart395]

I'm pretty mechanical. Ok, will have to give it a wiggle pull once over. I just wasn't sure if it was normal.

[Kingman]

7-800 is normal when warmed up.

[cvdloc]

Someone might have tuned the idle up high to hide a vacuum leak? I know this is the case with my hardbody with the z24 carborated... Not sure if you can or how you could tune a vg30?

[Kingman]

Yeah there's two idle screws, one for cold idle and the other for warm.

[Kingman]

A vacuum leak will make the engine idle high anyway.

[cvdloc]

Thanks kingman, I didn't know a vacuum leak would make the engine idle higher, I know it would make it erratic.

[Kingman]

Depends on the size of it. A small one will lean it out just enough to raise the idle. Larger ones and they go to sheit. A vacuum line undone makes the TBIs idle high and "miss" or "pop" out the exhaust.

[mikestewart395]

I fixed it last night. I adjusted the timing with the distributor. On the way home I remembered the guy I bought it from saying he just put a new Distributor in and new plugs. As I thought, he didn't set the timing. Pathy is purring at 900 rpm's now. I drive one hour to work, one hour home everyday. I blew through a quarter tank a day, now its cut in half to an eighth. Awesomeness.

[Kingman]

Right on. 15* gives them a little more poop and sometimes better mileage.

[Precise1]

 

he just put a new Distributor in and new plugs. As I thought, he didn't set the timing.

Classic! Perfect example of PO thinking they know what they are doing.

 

Glad you got it fixed and the best way possible, quick, cheap and easy...

 

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