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Car idles erradically

Sent to Car Experts April 20, 2005 2:11 a.m.

I have a 1980 Datsun 200sx. When it is cold it doesn't want to idle. When it warms up it idles ok, but sometimes it idles down and shutters. I have checked all the vaccum lines and they seem ok. The fuel and air filter are new and the pcv valve is good. What can I check to make it idle smoothly without trying to die? The car also shutters when you turn it off. When I'm going down the road it runs smoothly. But when I stop at a light and the car is warm it sometimes idles down and shutters till I give it gas and then it idles ok till the next deceleration. It is a fuel injected straight four engine. And a Five speed manual transmission.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $20

Answer
April 20, 2005 4:51 a.m. (2 hours and 40 minutes later)

REPLIED

I think you were on the right track looking for vacuum leaks but check the basics first. Take a complete compression test to find out if all the cylinders are coming to the party. Also check to see if the EGR valve may have some carbon stuck in it and not closing all the way. The shutters when it's cold could reflect a higher than normal idle trying to overcome the problem but again, vacuum leak would cause that.

Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance

Info Request
April 24, 2005 4:41 p.m. (4 days and 11 hours later)

You need to adjust the gas/air intake. You're not getting enough gas. Always think simple, before you start pulling out cash to replace parts. In you Question you answered your problem. You kept mentioning the one thing that keeps your vehicle running(gas). Try turning that little screw. Mi Linda Luz

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Mi Linda Luz -- Fathers grease monkey -- Expert's Profile
Have been fixing just about everything with the knowledge passed down to me by my father.

Answer
April 24, 2005 4:46 p.m. (5 minutes and 15 seconds later)

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Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance

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