High Idle Speed

[Samuel Scott]

1994 19 16V

Took my newly acquired R19 to Wales on hols and it was great fun, only gripe is the idle speed rising to about 1400rpm when stationary, it's a steady idle, just too high - if i put my toe under the accelerator pedal and tug the pedal up then it reduces to about 1100rpm...

I am not mechanically-minded and my limit so far has been looking in the owner's manual which says it should be @900rpm and that it's "non-adjustable".

I was dead chuffed to find a non-rusty bonnet for it, but before shelling out £350 on the bodywork to make it look presentable, it would be prudent to get this idling sorted in case it fails the MoT on emissions and to save me some pennies on fuel as I want to get more than 28mpg on the computer - so any pointers gratefully received!

It's got some induction kit fitted - - should I revert this to a standard airbox or do performance filters have no detrimental effect on idling?

 

[The T.I.B.]

it is correct that the idle speed is not adjustable in itself, however there are other factors that will influence it.

bearing in mind what you said about the pedal, lift the bonnet and check the throttle cable where it emerges to meet the throttle - it should be actually slack when the engine is off. also check the throttle opens smoothly, you can use the black pulley that the throttle cable runs around to do this.

there are many ways to route a throttle cable but as long as it's not obviously jammed or rubbing then it should be ok!

if that doesn't cure it then you'll need to start looking at sensors and the idle speed control valve...

 

[Samuel Scott]

Many thanks, i'll try that first before looking at sensors and stuff.

 

[Samuel Scott]

out of interest, which sensor would be the most likely culprit and how much are they?
Genuine Renault parts are way too pricey - called my dealer for a bonnet cable and the two rubber weather strips ("scrapers") that sit on the door at the base of the windows as mine are bubbling and look crap - and they wanted £70! That's Porsche prices...