High idle after rear main swap

STEPHEN PAUL ANDORFER

MEMBER
1984 TOYOTA CELICA
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
215,000 MILES

I changed out the rear main seal and oil pan gasket. I dropped the transmission to do so. After reinstalling and starting the idle is at red line and won’t come down. Everyone I’ve asked, even my own judgement, says vacuum leak. Yet prior to repair the car ran good. No idle issues out of the normal. Was drivable, now with the rpm at 4,000-5,500 at startup and climbs, don’t want to risk putting it in gear. I’ve touched nothing aside from normalcy with seal swap.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,262 POSTS

Hi,

A vacuum leak, although can cause a higher idle, wouldn't cause it to red line. Do me a favor, check the throttle cable where it attaches at the throttle body. Make sure the throttle plate is closing. Make sure nothing is causing the cable to apply constant pressure, nothing is binding or damaged.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 AT 8:25 PM

STEPHEN PAUL ANDORFER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I even had them (all 3 cables) disconnected when I started it up. Now the cable from the transmission to the throttle body, would that affect it? Haven’t been able to see anything wrong with it from the top, but haven’t seen the transmission side of the cable since it went in. But it was running fine till I did the seal swap, Am I forgetting a vacuum line somewhere, or a ground not in place correctly, or have to reset the ECU?

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Thursday, January 23rd, 2020 AT 7:33 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,262 POSTS

Honestly, anything is possible. You are certain that the throttle plate is closing, correct? Here is what the manual indicates for a high idle issue. However, red line usually isn't the case. The kick down linkage can cause a problem and you did have the trans out, so the easiest thing to do is make sure the throttle plate is closed.

1984 Toyota Celica L4-2366cc 22R
Engine Idle Speed Too High
Vehicle Powertrain Management Fuel Delivery and Air Induction Testing and Inspection Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures Troubleshooting By Symptoms Engine Idle Speed Too High
ENGINE IDLE SPEED TOO HIGH
1. Accelerator linkage binding.
2. Air valve stuck open.
3. Improper operation of air conditioner idle up circuit.
4. Fuel pressure too high.
5. Cold start injector leaking.
6. Injectors leaking.
7. Defective EFI computer.

__________________________

Your vehicle is fuel injected, correct? This is near a time when things were changing. Did you by chance check to make sure the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose is connected?

Fuel pressure at idle should be 33---38 psi. It may not be a bad idea to confirm it isn't high.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, January 23rd, 2020 AT 7:12 PM