weirdbeardmt
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Hi all.
Car is a 2004 FL1 V6. On the whole it's brilliant. Full service history, no coolant leaks and no lights on the dash. No codes stored in the ECU.
There's a strange idle issue. The symptoms are that when you let off the gas and the engine revs drop, then you can see that it sticks a little returning to idle, then when idling, the power sort of dips off a bit every now and then, a bit like a misfire. It's strong enough that it makes the stereo speakers crack a bit!
After searching and reading a bit, I figured the IACV was most likely fault. Under the bonnet, the first thing I found was that the t-piece style engine breather that runs across the top of the engine had broken in one place. I've taped it up until I can get a replacement, but i don't think that's causing it.
IACV - have sprayed a decent amount of carb cleaner in to what I think is the right place on the IACV. See attached - is the highlighted pipe the right one? Do you squirt it down in to the pipe... or into the body itself? I did this, and it hasn't resolved it. Any more tips on cleaning this?
Other things I've looked at - checked the air filter - looks in good condition. Have checked all of the cables running to the coils and all look in good order. I pulled one of the more easily accessible spark plugs out and generally looks fine. All the evidence that the car has been maintained well over the years. The throttle cable seems OK - it's possibly a bit loose but the amount of play in it doesn't seem excessive. Have checked the top VIS motor and the actuator arm in the inlet manifold. Arm looks and feels solid. VIS motor appears fine. It is a bit noisy on tick over but not the usual death rattle.
A couple of other things I noticed - when the car was idling, and it had been running for less than 5 minutes, is that there's an obvious bubble in the expansion tank... and also the power steering tank. Is this normal? See attached for some videos. Another thing i noticed is that when killing the engine after idling, but without the air filter mech on, there's a big whoosh of air. (And on that subject, there's always a big whoosh of air when I open the fuel filler cap.) I think these things are all normal, but keen for thoughts - and of course, other things to look for / at?
Vid 1: Car idling, whoosh of air after https://www.dropbox.com/s/p16u4bb21fz45qy/IMG_1556.MOV
Vid 2: Car idling. Afraid the blip in power isn't really perceptible
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uaomqnnddxy0bpu/IMG_1555.MOV
Vid 3: Bubble in expansion tank
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1wmsnjvgnnflcpb/IMG_1505.MOV
Car is a 2004 FL1 V6. On the whole it's brilliant. Full service history, no coolant leaks and no lights on the dash. No codes stored in the ECU.
There's a strange idle issue. The symptoms are that when you let off the gas and the engine revs drop, then you can see that it sticks a little returning to idle, then when idling, the power sort of dips off a bit every now and then, a bit like a misfire. It's strong enough that it makes the stereo speakers crack a bit!
After searching and reading a bit, I figured the IACV was most likely fault. Under the bonnet, the first thing I found was that the t-piece style engine breather that runs across the top of the engine had broken in one place. I've taped it up until I can get a replacement, but i don't think that's causing it.
IACV - have sprayed a decent amount of carb cleaner in to what I think is the right place on the IACV. See attached - is the highlighted pipe the right one? Do you squirt it down in to the pipe... or into the body itself? I did this, and it hasn't resolved it. Any more tips on cleaning this?
Other things I've looked at - checked the air filter - looks in good condition. Have checked all of the cables running to the coils and all look in good order. I pulled one of the more easily accessible spark plugs out and generally looks fine. All the evidence that the car has been maintained well over the years. The throttle cable seems OK - it's possibly a bit loose but the amount of play in it doesn't seem excessive. Have checked the top VIS motor and the actuator arm in the inlet manifold. Arm looks and feels solid. VIS motor appears fine. It is a bit noisy on tick over but not the usual death rattle.
A couple of other things I noticed - when the car was idling, and it had been running for less than 5 minutes, is that there's an obvious bubble in the expansion tank... and also the power steering tank. Is this normal? See attached for some videos. Another thing i noticed is that when killing the engine after idling, but without the air filter mech on, there's a big whoosh of air. (And on that subject, there's always a big whoosh of air when I open the fuel filler cap.) I think these things are all normal, but keen for thoughts - and of course, other things to look for / at?
Vid 1: Car idling, whoosh of air after https://www.dropbox.com/s/p16u4bb21fz45qy/IMG_1556.MOV
Vid 2: Car idling. Afraid the blip in power isn't really perceptible
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uaomqnnddxy0bpu/IMG_1555.MOV
Vid 3: Bubble in expansion tank
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1wmsnjvgnnflcpb/IMG_1505.MOV
