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[FT]

Right, this is getting rather frustrating -

Car idles at 1000-1100 RPM.  I've cleaned the throttle and breather and replaced the idle speed control valve.  Any ideas as to what else I can fiddle with to get it down?

'96 N-reg 2.0 16V (20XEV)

[Marks DTM Calib]

One thing worth checking.

Is the throttle butterfly fully closing?

I have seen some bodge merchant mechanics adjust the throttle stop on the throttle butterfly to stop it fully closing in order to over come a sticking idle valve.

[FT]

I checked that when I changed the iscv.  It was shut completely.  Could the accelerator cable or corresponding need adjusting/changing?  I can't think of anything else that would affect the idling...could fuel/oil filters cause the engine to idle high if blocked?

[Pete Elite]

Hi FT,
       I've had the same problem on my 3.0L V6 ever since cleaning the breathers, throttle body, plenum, and ICV and have rechecked everything for leaks, or bad re-fitment alas to no avail as it still idles at 1100RPM .

  I haven't checked to see if the throttle butterflies are closing fully as MDTM suggested, so will give that a look-see .

   If in the meantime you suss it out maybe you can give me a shout .

         Thanks,
                    Pete.

[Marks DTM Calib]

FT, cna you get over to south Nottingham (just along the A50 + A453?)

[FT]

Yes, no problem.  Any day/time in mind?  I work shifts!  I'm free tomorrow morning then not free 'til next weekend 13/12.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Might have to be next weekend then.

I am only free some weekends and most evenings

[FT]

ok, thanks.  My wife just volunteered me for something tomorrow morning anyway...

[FT]

Hi again,

Right, I've changed the oil, which apparently was very black and gunky.  New filter installed too.  This has made a very big difference in smoothness and quietness.  However, I later checked the sparkplugs on 09/12/08 and found them smeared in oil.  I've cleaned them and the engine sounds even better. However, I've just taken them out again to check whether it was just oil spilt by the garage as they were changing it or whether it was something else and...

1.  All plugs smeared in oil
2.  Plugs 1 & 2 (as if looking from front of engine to the rear) are far less smeared than 3 & 4.
3.  Plug 3 is heavily smeared
4.  Plug 4 is completely covered and when you look down the chamber you can see oil flooded at the bottom.  This isn't the case for chambers 1 to 3.

I don't believe it's the head gasket going as the oil was black, not mayonaise-ish.  Is it a rocker gasket?  By the way, the revs have now dropped below 1000RPM and the engine is now idling at about 900 to 950 RPM.  What should it be normally?

Any ideas would be greatful.  Thanks, FT.

[vauxfan2k]

Hi,

Its the rocker cover gasket thats causing your oil in the plug wells, easy enough to change the gasket, but make sure you get a genuine vauxhall kit, as the aftermarket copies are useless. when you have the cover off, give it a good clean with de-greaser and rinse and dry off thoroughly before fitting, gets rid of any mayo deposits and dirt in the gasket tracks.

should be ok afer that.

900rpm sounds about right from what I can remember of the 2.0's I had.

cheers  

[FT]

...thanks for the info, do you know where I can get any pics of step by step instructions?  I'll have another search now...

[vauxfan2k]

to be honest, pics arent going to help much cos its so easy to do,

Just undo the nut holding the wiring harness onto the front of the cam cover, and pull it aside, then undo the breather pipe from the cam cover, undo all the cover bolts, and remove the cover upwards. do it slowly and watch for any of the O rings sticking to the cover or head. replace all (even if they look ok) and refit. do the nuts hand tight until all fitted then give a quick nip up with a small 1/4 ratchet. (not too tight)

jobs a good un  

[FT]

Need a bit of a pointer with the following two -

1.  "...the nut holding the wiring harness onto the front of the cam cover..."

2.  "...breather pipe from the cam cover..."

Where's/What's the wiring harness?

Are the breather pipe's to the left of the engine, if standing in front of the engine, one small one slightly larger, connected to the throttle assembly?

When I order the parts from Vauxhall, do they come in a kit?

How do I clean the oil that's currently sitting in the chamber or will it burn out once the gasket's been replaced?

Sorry for such daft questions, but not mechanically minded!
FT.

[vauxfan2k]

there is wiring wrapped and held in place on the front of the cam cover, the plastic holder carrying this wiring unbolts from the timing belt cover at the top and the wiring + its holder lifts upwards off of the front of the cam cover. you do not need to disconnect any connectors to do this.

the breather pipe is on the left of the cam cover as you look at the engine from the front of the car, just loosen the clip and pull it off to one side.

The gasket kit will comprise of the main cam cover gasket and a series of O rings. thats all you need.

Oil from the plug wells can be soaked up with kitchen towel or old rags, but it will NOT burn itself off.

cheers  

[vauxnut]

idle should be approx 600/650 rpm.