• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Idle RPMs going crazy after dealer service.

E

Evil_Iz

New CEG'er
Joined
Oct 10, 2006
Messages
10
When I turn on my car, my idle RPMs surge to 2250 then drop to almost a stall, then surge again, then drop, etc.

I had my IAC valve replaced a couple months ago, which fixed the moosing issue I was having.

This new issue began when I got my car back from 90,000 mile service at the dealer. They supposedly "cleaned the MAF," which I didn't know they were going to do.

So... do I need another IAC valve or what? Place your bets!

TIA,
Chris
 
You have massive vacuum leak and will end up with P0171 and P0174 soon. Need to locate the leak. Visually or spray with carburetor cleaner. When idle changes, you found the leak.
 
So they tell me I need a new intake manifold gasket. Does that sound like it will fix my symptoms? I'm afraid it is in fact a simple vacuum leak, and I'm spending money for nothing.

They're replacing the spark plugs, too, since they're due to be changed at 100k anyways.

Am I a sucker, or what?
 
"So they tell me I need a new intake manifold gasket. Does that sound like it will fix my symptoms?"
Maybe.

"I'm afraid it is in fact a simple vacuum leak, and I'm spending money for nothing."
ROTFL. Most probably. They probably found an issue (maybe accordian tube not put back tight or something). And they are covering their bases because they noticed the 90K miles and the intake manifold gasket "looked old". But at 90K, a new intake manifold gasket would be considered a maintenance item rather than a "I got suckered" item. ;)

"They're replacing the spark plugs, too, since they're due to be changed at 100k anyways."
This is a good idea. I changed mine at 60K.

"Am I a sucker, or what?"
Not if the car works well after that. ;)
 
My brother had a vac leak issue and I couldn't get to it and had to take the word of a shop. They replaced them at a huge expense and the leak cropped back up. Finally got to inspect things and the little rubber hose to the PCV valve had a huge crack/hole in it due to age. Anyone with eyes could have seen it. A $3 fix. :rolleyes:

$100 says they broke a vac line or forgot to reattach.
 
Well, whatever the problem was, I'm running fine now. Idle is a bit rough, but no crazy revving. Thanks for the responses!
 
I've seen this before, and it seems like a vacuum leak, but it may actually be an ignition issue. Replace plugs and wires and test your coil before you go replacing anything expensive like a MAF or IAC valve. I had this same problem and I tried the PCV valve, testing for leaks, etc., and it turned out to be a shorting wire to the #2 spark plug. Go figure.

Just a thought.
 
its a vaccum leak. make sure the EGR solenoid has the little line on it still, and its not broke. there's a large tube that goes into the intake also, which must be on or the car will do EXACTLY what your explaining.
 
Not trying to say you're wrong, just dont ignore the possibility or an ignition issue. I had a bad wire that was causing the EXACT problem you described. So before you go spending any significant amount on new EGR parts, just check your plugs, wire, and coil resistances.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top