Unstable idle........

1. Biz L-plater Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 36

   #1 9th May 2011, 11:25

   Hello boys, girls and all transgenders............
   
   I've decided to keep my cheap saxo 1.1 LX (Zest Yellow).
   
   I have replaced various components to find I own a nice little car..............but.....the idle has become unstable.
   
   Not to the extent where its dangerous though.
   
   Start the engine
   Idle is high as per usual
   Once running for around 4-5 mins the idle drops to about 600-650rpm
   Not on all occasions though
   
   I know the VTR/VTS have adele control valve/motor issues but I didnt want assume that those issues filter down to the base models.
   
   Any ideas/suggestions?
   
   Mucho appreciato!
2. user_51601 Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Bridgend/South Wales Posts: 136 '52 Desire 1.1i Sport Red 1.6Vti 120 DS3

   #2 9th May 2011, 13:39

   idle control vale probably needs a good squirt of wd40 or replacing, not a big job really. have a search for a guide, seen one before i think
3. devilsadvocate Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI

   #3 9th May 2011, 14:26

   Idle problems could be a lot of things but the best (and easiest) place to start is the ICV
   
   Remove the throttly body, unscrew the ICV and clean it with degreaser or WD40
4. Gazzaboo Newbie Joined: May 2011 dudley Posts: 18 saxo vtr

   #4 9th May 2011, 16:01

   hiya all ive recently had a new radiator on my vtr and all was good up untill last week, the temp guage keeps rising its not goin in the red but gets to close for comfort if u no wot i mean lol. the fan is coming on so just wonderd weather any1 could give me sum advice????
5. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #5 9th May 2011, 16:12

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gazzaboo hiya all ive recently had a new radiator on my vtr and all was good up untill last week, the temp guage keeps rising its not goin in the red but gets to close for comfort if u no wot i mean lol. the fan is coming on so just wonderd weather any1 could give me sum advice????

   Yes start another thread & don`t hijack someone elsess,back to the original topic don`t assume straight away that its ICV related other things like coil pack ,leads & various sensors can give the problems you have mate.
   
   
   Steve.
6. Gazzaboo Newbie Joined: May 2011 dudley Posts: 18 saxo vtr

   #6 9th May 2011, 16:16

   sorry didnt mean to put this on this thread
7. Biz L-plater Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 36

   #7 9th May 2011, 16:22

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo67 Yes start another thread & don`t hijack someone elsess,back to the original topic don`t assume straight away that its ICV related other things like coil pack ,leads & various sensors can give the problems you have mate. Steve.

   Lol some newbees..............
   
   Its had a new coil pack and fan switch.
   
   Thanks for the help I'll get back with what I find out.
8. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #8 9th May 2011, 16:39

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gazzaboo sorry didnt mean to put this on this thread

   No worries mate.
   
   
   Steve.
9. 0_sax-magnet_0 Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2009 South Wales Posts: 101

   #9 9th May 2011, 17:47

   Change/Check the ICV(Idle Control Valve), should help mate, but try just giving it a clean forst before you going buying one
10. Biz L-plater Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 36

    #10 10th June 2011, 17:05

    Hello again
    
    I've been a bit busy to address the problem but can one you confirm the two sensors located on the OS end of the block:
    
    
    
    Cheers
11. j_s Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2011 hull Posts: 210 saxo vtr 1.6 8v

    #11 10th June 2011, 17:13

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stevo67 Yes start another thread & don`t hijack someone elsess,back to the original topic don`t assume straight away that its ICV related other things like coil pack ,leads & various sensors can give the problems you have mate. Steve.

    fair point i had the same problem and it was my temp sensor
12. j_s Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2011 hull Posts: 210 saxo vtr 1.6 8v

    #12 10th June 2011, 17:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Biz Hello again I've been a bit busy to address the problem but can one you confirm the two sensors located on the OS end of the block: Cheers

    my temp sensor was green so thats my guess that the green is the temp sensor dunno about the blue one
13. Biz L-plater Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 36

    #13 24th July 2011, 21:11

    Hello again guy/girls and all in between.
    
    What is this?
    
    
    Has anyone had this contribute to engine performance?
14. Callum_T L-plater Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 41 Citroen saxo stateside 1.1 (5dr)

    #14 24th July 2011, 22:32

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Biz Hello again guy/girls and all in between. What is this? Has anyone had this contribute to engine performance?

    Hi, i cant tell you for sure but i think that the image shows a PCV (posative crankcase ventaltion) valve. This basicly draws out the toxic fumes that have passed the rings and have found there way in to the crankcase. these fumes go through the oil gallerys (i think) and up to the head through the breather pipe in the rocker cover to be sucked back in to the air intake to be re burned. The circle bit is a valve that controlls the amount of fumes going back in to the intake. Crack this open and give it a clean if need be. Your fluctuating problem could be down to the lambda sensor or a vacume leak within the air system. again, not totally sure.
    Hope this helps
15. Callum_T L-plater Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 41 Citroen saxo stateside 1.1 (5dr)

    #15 24th July 2011, 22:36

    Oh, you could also clean out your air filter as well just to be sure. Apparently lack of air getting to the engine can cause it to idle rough.
16. Callum_T L-plater Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 41 Citroen saxo stateside 1.1 (5dr)

    #16 24th July 2011, 22:40

    Sorry to keep posting!! dont mark my word, but i think it might be best to put the PCV back on nice and tight because that can be a major gap in the air system which could cause rough idle. I took mine off once and it did the same thing. Make sure its not blocked before u put it back on!!
17. Biz L-plater Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 36

    #17 26th July 2011, 12:22

    Ok cool thanks for the suggestions!
    
    Does anyone know how "fragile" the 1.1 HDZ heads are to water jacket cracking?
18. Biz L-plater Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 36

    #18 29th July 2011, 14:09

    Problem solved.
    
    Unsurprisingly a head gasket failure. End of number 4.
    
    Ok, seeing as my engine is a HDZ, does this make a TU1M?
    I've seen the TU1M+ also.
19. Biz L-plater Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 36

    #19 30th July 2011, 08:51

    Also, Citroen dont seem to recommend replacing the head bolts, have any of you done this to find yourself in the same position only but a few weeks later?
    
    I'd like the car on the road ASAP rather than waiting for a cheap headset (Inc head bolts) if I can get away with not replacing the bolts!
    
    Cheers!