Idles High

GODSPROPERTY

MEMBER
BUICK LESABRE

Please can anyone HELP! I have a 1987 Buick Lesabre 6 cylinder with 170,000 miles on the car. I have taken the car to a mechanic and the codes were the oxygen sensor, TPS and air intake valve. I changed all of these along with spark plugs. In the morning when the car is cold it idles really high, I have to let it warm for 5 minutes, turn the car off and crank it back up for it to idle down. Geting on the road is a different story, if it doesn't completely warm up I have to pump the gas pedal until it kicks itself into another gear. Also, if it is idled too long the manifold will turn bright red. I really don't know much about cars but someone mentioned to me about a catalytic converter could that be causing this problem. If anyone has had this problem I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks

Saturday, October 27th, 2007 AT 2:08 AM

2 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Hook up a vacuum gauge to an intake port, observ the reading, watch the gauge, if it starts to drop, you have an exhaust restriction, that could be the converter or bent or crushed pipes or muffler.
Also check the ECT, coolant sensor, it has a lot to do with cold start ide!

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Saturday, October 27th, 2007 AT 9:20 AM

TCCC143

MEMBER
21 POSTS

Oner of two issues that cause a high idle. The main being a vacuum leak. The other is the idle air contro valve. If you remove the idle air control valve and take it to Auto Zone they can check it for you. If it is an air leak, then use some carb cleaner. Spray individual vacuum lines near the intake and throttle body while the engine is running. If the engine revs up while spraying a certain line then that is where your leak is. Check also the PCV valve to make sure it is not sticking.

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Thursday, November 8th, 2007 AT 8:18 PM