Erratic Idle?

1. faulknerm Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 148

   #1 11th February 2007, 22:32

   My 1.1i is idling very poorly.
   
   When left to idle, it fluctuates between about 400rpm and 1k. As it is dropping off, it sounds like it is about to stall and causes the car to vibrate slightly. If I rev hard and then step off the gas quickly (without any gear engaged) it immediately drops to about 450rmp and often stalls.
   
   I already know that the head gasket has gone, and needs to be changed (whenever I get a nice day off to do it!), however is this also likely to be the cause of the idling problem?
   
   Somebody suggested to me that it could be a problem with the stepper motor, is this likely?
   
   Thanks
2. Bake Established Member Joined: Feb 2006 St Austell, United Kingdom (England) Posts: 1691 Ibiza Cupra

   #2 11th February 2007, 22:34

   What about the map sensor as this is what went on my vtr.
3. Richardson_VTS Established Member Joined: Mar 2006 Northallerton Posts: 1672 Mini Cooper S

   #3 11th February 2007, 23:23

   You shouldn't be driving around if the head gasket's gone mate, you'll do even more damage!
4. faulknerm Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 148

   #4 11th February 2007, 23:29

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Richardson_VTS You shouldn't be driving around if the head gasket's gone mate, you'll do even more damage!

   I'm not, I've just been starting it up every few days etc. and noticed the idle problem.
5. SUKEY2K L-plater Joined: Jan 2005 Coventry United Kingdom (England) Posts: 55

   #5 11th February 2007, 23:51

   This kind of thing happened to his 106 a while go! I think it was his stepper motor too but for some reason it still kept happening so he just changed the whole air intake manifold!
6. VTS_16v_Boy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2006 Dartford Kent Posts: 5251 Pug 1007 HDi Sport (daily) / Abarth 500

   #6 12th February 2007, 08:47

   Personally Id tackle one problem at a time, get the Head Gasket sorted and then see if the problem still occures, if so you can start checking for air leaks or breather issues, maybe a good service would help but like I said it be pointless wasting time and possibly money trying to sort a problem if there is a bigger problem that may be effecting it also.
   
   Plenty of time to get the running sorted after the HG is sorted :-)
7. mattchewone Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2006 West Sussex Posts: 5769 Passat Oil Burner

   #7 12th February 2007, 08:59

   I have sort of had this problem except i havent got a blown head gasket. What i did once it was low revving and stalling i got out popped the bonnet decided to listen to the engine and then i pushed throttle cable bit where it attaches to the plastic bit and pulled and then it idled fine after that duno what happened but works fine now.