idle for 86 S3

[indiaskr]

My '86 S3 seems to have a bit of rough idle, not too bad. My mechanic has gone through every adjustment per the sjop manual. No other issues when the car starts moving. Is this normal?

[WayneB]

They all have a lumpy idle that clears as soon as you give them some RPM.

It is deffo not a sewing machine type of engine!

[tonyp]

Ahh the heavenly joy of blipping the throttle .... Pity they don't sound as good inside as out ...

Mines been set by a lotus specialist, idles about 700 - 800 - yes its lumpy ish but never stalls & pulls cleanly away.

Wouldn't worry so long as it pulls cleanly with no misfires to 7,000......

[slade]

mine idles smooth as anything I've driven... then again I'm used to lumpy, lopey idles from cars with modded small block chevys with big cams that sound like they're about to die at idle

My mechanic insisted on setting the idle at 1000 which is 100 above where it "ought" to be however.

On the odd occasion that I've let someone else drive the car and heard the car from the outside, I confirm it sounds better from there

Slade

[danielsonson]

This may sound silly, but mine had an overly lumpy idle when I picked it up, I was convinced it was the carb set up (i.e. runnning to rich) after 10 minutes fiddling I realised the Choke cable had slipped in the sleeve thus was permanently a little open despite that fact it was pushed all the way in, it was just enough to make her run a bit rough.

Fix cable and voila a car that starts everytime wihtout any need for a choke.

DB

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Idle should be between 900-1000 rpm. Mine has a very lumpy tick over but then again I have a HC engine, two 104 cams and a lightened and balanced flywheel. Bibs car on the other hand has a very very smooth tickover.

When was the last time she had a full service, ie plugs, leads, cap and rotar arm?

[indiaskr]

Idle should be between 900-1000 rpm. Mine has a very lumpy tick over but then again I have a HC engine, two 104 cams and a lightened and balanced flywheel. Bibs car on the other hand has a very very smooth tickover.

When was the last time she had a full service, ie plugs, leads, cap and rotar arm?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you all for your comments. My idle is set between 900-1000 rpm. The pick up very smooth once I give it some gas and the car runs great. I guess the lumpy idle is common. I had my plugs, fuel filter, valve job done just a couple of months back.