1995 Saturn SL1 Rev to 2500rpms upon starting then it slows

Tiny
CELESTEEVE
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  • 1995 SATURN SL1
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 211,000 MILES
Im wondering what would cause this. Im told it could be an IACV but im wondering if it could be a throttle issue. I also can only start it if I have the gas pressed to the floor and then turn it over. I literally dont have to press the gas when driving through town because of the high idling. At lights it also just pushed to go. I really dont think that it is the transmission because it runs very smoothly when speeding up. What do you think?
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 AT 5:05 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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When the car start's after you have to hold the gas pedal to the floor do you see smoke coming out of your exhaust?It sound's like you could have a bad coolant temp sensor. Let me know.
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Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
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I dont think I see smoke and if so its very faint. Ill replace the sensor just in case. ALSO, I replaced the PCV valve today and now it seems to idle rougher! Im wondering if I put it in wrong which seems silly even asking with how simple it was to do. I was in the process of doing the IACV BUT my husband got impatient and stripped one of the star screws so now that is not going to happen until I get it to the shop to have them extract it. Im just really bummed that the PCV valve seemed to make it idle rougher. I like to repair things on my own as a women, this sure isnt helping my case that im "capable" of fixing my own car. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh and the replacement air filter I put in also seems to have much wider fans. Not sure if that matters. It says that one was the equivalent to my old one.
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Thursday, September 16th, 2010 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If you replace the coolant temp sensor make sure you replace the bottom one with two wire's going to it. Also inspect the connector going to it if it's corroded then you will have to replace it also. Look at that S shaped hose going to your pcv they get hole's in them or they get sucked up. If the hose has a hole or isn't perfectly round replace it. So what rpm's does your car idle at?
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Thursday, September 16th, 2010 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
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When I start it it is 2500 then it slows to 1000-1100rpms. At stop lights its at about 1000 rpms and really pushes to get going. It literally drives itself through town. It runs great on the interstate, smooth and not much vibration. Its just the start and around town that isnt good.
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Thursday, September 16th, 2010 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You could have a vacuum leak and the iac is trying to compensate for the leak. When the engine is hot it should idle at about 850rpms check that pcv hose and get back to me.
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Thursday, September 16th, 2010 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
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When I get back from class ill check the hose. I know when I took it off it is just a straight 4in hose that is thicker and I think has a metal webbing in it. That probably made me sound ignorant. Im sure there is a name for it. I did pinch it when putting the new one on with a pliers so it may not be round. Im going to try reshaping it with it running and see if it helps the rough idle. I also checked the hoses and listened for hissing but didnt hear anything over the rattling (just beginning to) cat converter. I dont want to cave and take it somewhere and have them point out a zillion things that could but may not have to be fixed. Thanks again for all the input. The exhaust is the next major issue I want to take car of. 1st high idle 2nd exhaust 3rd interior cosmetic
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Thursday, September 16th, 2010 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Most of the time you can't hear a vacuum leak if you have one. Let me know what you find with that hose.
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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
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I checked the hose and it does have a hunk taken out of the end that goes on the pcv valve itself. My dad put a clamp on it and it didnt seem to help.

On a side note I actually got the iacv on today! To my disappointment the car now revs to 3500rpms upon start then slows to 1300 at lowest idle. Also when slowing down from 55 to a stopsign at each down shift it revs to 2000rpms. I feel like it made it worse! Im wondering if that metal clamp my dad put on the pcv hose to stop the air hissing is too tight. Im getting a new hose regardless for it tomorrow.

Its getting very frustrating. Cleaned the throttle today too.

The gasket the runs from the manifold to out is horrible and there is a huge gap you can see. Ordered one today not that I think I can handle that job.

Smoke does come out when choke started.
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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Did you ever change the coolant temp sensor?If so which one top or bottom one?Also are you talking about the gasket that goes between the intake manifold and the head that has this big gap?
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Saturday, September 18th, 2010 AT 9:34 PM

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