HOW TO FIX ENGINE IDELING PROBLEMS IN YOUR CAR-ROUGH IDELING

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Clean Your Car's Throttle Plate and Idle Air Control Valve

Is your car surging when idling or stalling out when you come to a stop? These issues might be due to a dirty throttle plate or idle air control valve. In this guide, I’ll show you how to clean these components using throttle body and air intake cleaner to get your engine running smoothly again.



Symptoms of a Dirty Throttle Plate or Idle Air Control Valve

  • Car surging when idling
  • Stalling when stopping

If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms, cleaning the throttle plate and idle air control valve might solve the problem.

What You'll Need

  • Throttle body and air intake cleaner
  • Screwdriver
  • Paper towels

Step 1: Remove the Air Filter Housing

Before you can access the throttle body, you need to remove the air filter housing and ductwork.

  1. Unsnap the air filter housing and pull it out.
  2. Use a screwdriver to loosen the clamps on the air ductwork.
  3. Pull the ductwork aside to reveal the throttle body.

Step 2: Inspect the Throttle Plates

Many cars, like the Toyota in this example, have dual throttle plates. If the plates are dirty, you'll notice black deposits, which can restrict airflow and cause idling issues.

Step 3: Clean the Throttle Plates

  1. Spray the throttle body cleaner directly onto the throttle plates.
  2. Use one hand to hold the throttle open and the other to spray the cleaner.
  3. Make sure to spray all sides: top, bottom, and sides.
  4. Wipe away the dirt and deposits with a clean paper towel.
  • Pro Tip: Be thorough! The cleaner you get the throttle plates, the better your engine will perform.

Step 4: Clean the Idle Air Control Valve

The idle air control valve (IACV) controls airflow when the car is idling, and carbon buildup can affect its function.

  1. Locate the IACV near the throttle body.
  2. Remove the screws holding the valve in place and carefully detach the assembly.
  3. Spray the cleaner around the inside of the valve, making sure all carbon deposits are cleaned out.
  4. Let it air dry for at least 30 minutes to avoid difficulties when restarting the engine.

Step 5: Reassemble and Start the Car

Once everything is clean and dry:

  1. Reattach the throttle body and IACV.
  2. Reinstall the air filter housing and all ductwork.
  3. Clip the air filter housing back into place.

Start the car. It might run a bit rough at first, and you may see some smoke coming from the tailpipe—this is normal as the cleaner burns off.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning the throttle body and idle air control valve is a simple yet effective way to improve engine performance, especially if you're experiencing surging or stalling at idle. Keeping these components clean can help maintain smoother idling and better fuel efficiency. 

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How to Check Engine Health Using a Compression Test

In today's guide, I'm going to show you how to check an engine's health using a simple compression test. Whether you're diagnosing issues with a car or just ensuring everything is running smoothly, this guide will walk you through the steps for both dry and wet compression tests.



Tools You'll Need

The primary tool required for this test is a compression test kit, which you can easily find online or at local stores. 

Dry vs Wet Compression Test

We'll be conducting both a dry and wet compression test to determine if the piston rings are worn or if there are any other internal engine issues.

Step 1: Remove Spark Plugs and Wires

First, remove all the spark plug wires and spark plugs from the engine. You can use a socket wrench to get them out.

  • Tip: Keep track of each spark plug as you remove them so you can analyze their condition later.

Step 2: Analyze the Spark Plugs

Before diving into the compression test, take a close look at the spark plugs:

  • Blackened Spark Plugs: If the spark plugs are black, it indicates that the engine is running rich (too much fuel in the mixture).
  • Oil on the Spark Plugs: If you notice oil buildup, it’s a sign that the engine may be burning oil, which points to potential internal issues.
  • Carbon Buildup: Excessive carbon buildup on the plugs is another indicator of poor engine health.

Step 3: Perform the Dry Compression Test

Now, it's time to use the compression tester:

  1. Screw the hose from the compression tester into one of the spark plug holes. Ensure it's snug.
  2. Connect the hose to the gauge end.
  3. Crank the engine over to get a pressure reading.
  • Example: In this case, the pressure read 125 PSI, which is relatively low for this engine.

Step 4: Perform the Wet Compression Test

Next, we perform a wet compression test to see if the piston rings are the issue:

  1. Remove the hose from the spark plug hole.
  2. Use a funnel and a hose to pour a small amount of oil into the cylinder.
  3. Reattach the hose and take another compression reading.
  • Example: After adding oil, the pressure increased to 160 PSI.

What Does the Wet Compression Test Tell Us?

If the pressure increases significantly after adding oil, it suggests that the piston rings are worn. The oil temporarily seals the rings, increasing the pressure.


Conclusion

After testing the rest of the cylinders, you can determine the engine's overall condition. In this case, significant rust and worn piston rings mean it's probably not worth fixing unless you're ready for a full engine replacement. Always weigh the costs of repairs against the value of the vehicle before deciding.



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