Hello – your symptoms suggest worn piston rings or valve stem seals (smoking), and a possible air leak in the intake, or idle air control valve sticking open (high idle). Both are signs of a higher-mileage engine with significant wear. I recommend an engine inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The most common problem is a faulty fuse. In modern vehicles, engine idle speed is most often controlled by the idle air control (IAC) motor. This can be impacted by bad fuses in many different electronic systems in your car. Next, your high idling could be caused by a computer malfunction.
This may be a sign of a failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve is located on or near your intake manifold that monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine.
The engine`s oxygen sensor will detect the extra oxygen entering the engine via the vacuum leak which will alert the engine`s computer that the exhaust is running lean, which will prompt the computer to pump in additional fuel, resulting in an abnormally high idle.
A Broken Radiator Fan If your car begins to overheat when idling, but the temperature gauge moves back down once you get going, it`s most likely due to a broken radiator fan. When the coolant goes to the radiator, it`s spread over a large surface area to cool it down.
Pull over and shut off the car. Allow the engine to cool for at least 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge, as it should move back to a normal range as the engine cools. While you`re waiting (and watching the gauge), put together a plan to get your overheated engine checked out.
An idle air control valve, also called an idle air sensor control motor, is an electrically operated valve that controls the amount of air that bypasses the throttle plate in cars with a fuel injection system [source: Autozone]. This causes the idling speed of the engine to change as needed.
If everything is working as it`s supposed to, the engine idle speed should always remain the primary constant. However, over a period of time some mechanical components that monitor or control the flow of fuel into the fuel injector will become damaged and may contribute to increasing or decreasing engine idle speed.
To check whether the idle air control valve is functioning properly, start the engine and let it run for about 10 to 15 minutes. If the valve is functioning correctly, the engine will sound good and the idle will be steady versus too high, too low, or inconsistent.
The idle speed should feel consistent without skipping or slipping. In most of today`s cars, an idle speed of 600 to 1000 RPMs is average. If your car is idling rough, though, it won`t feel smooth. The RPMs will jump up and down, for example, or they`ll fall below 600 RPM (or whatever is typical for your vehicle).
Idle speed is controlled by using an electronically controlled throttle bypass valve, as seen in Fig. 6.6, which allows air to flow around the throttle plate and produces the same effect as if the throttle had been slightly opened such that sufficient M . a flows to maintain engine operation.
The most common causes of this on your vehicle are either a bad idle control valve, a dirty or failing throttle body, or a vacuum leak. It is very common for the engine to have a vacuum leak at the intake manifold gasket.
Improperly functioning spark plugs cause an uneven burn of fuel in the engine, resulting in fluctuating RPMs and a louder noise. You might also experience increased vibrations of your vehicle while sitting idle or while traveling at low speeds.
Rough engine idle and misfires
Since the oxygen sensor output helps control engine timing, combustion intervals, and the air to fuel ratio, a bad sensor can disrupt these engine functions, causing a rough or irregular engine idle and other engine-related issues.
If your engine revs up as you press down on the gas but your vehicle doesn`t accelerate as much as you`d expect, you may be dealing with transmission slipping. If you`ve ever tried to accelerate on ice, where your engine revs but your vehicle goes nowhere, you know the feeling.
If your engine revs up as you press down on the gas but your vehicle doesn`t accelerate as much as you`d expect, you may be dealing with transmission slipping. If you`ve ever tried to accelerate on ice, where your engine revs but your vehicle goes nowhere, you know the feeling.