idle is a lil rough

baller_ivy

New Member
5+ Year Member
Alright so my cars idle is rough like when its sitting you can hear it kinda putting. I have only like one idea on what it might be. Few things to keep in mind tho. My check engine light is one its been on. Went and got that checked the guy said it could be bad gas like months ago. So im thinking it could be the filter or pump might be bad. Also i have a slight oil leak around the oil pan screw. Which i can fix easy. So does anybody have any ideas. Thanks!!
 

Johnny .45

Pro Hoonage Expert
Couldn't hurt, although I'd guess filter over pump (if it was bad gas). But first, change your sparks; they could be fouled up. If your filter is clogged, it will (in my experience) also hurt your power, since if it's clogged enough to hurt you idle, it'll be starving for fuel at higher RPM's too. Next thing is injectors. I ran the tank of my Subie dry and ended up with a bad injector (change them all if you can).
Depending on what you meant by "bad gas", it couldn't hurt to add dry-gas (if it was water) or better, flush the tank and get the crap out. Water stays at the bottom of the tank, where the pickup is (so doesn't most other crud). Adding more gas just puts good gas on top of bad gas, and it'll still run like crap until it's all through the system. If it was only a little water, dry-gas should work, but if it's really bad, just get it cleaned out.
Of course other things can make an engine idle rough, like O2 sensors, etc., even bad connections to them. I had a Pontiac (ugh) once that started running really poorly (both at idle and while driving). Turned out it was one little-bitty 6-inch long vacuum hose going to the MAF had popped off when I tried to crank it a second time before the engine stopped turning. Plugged it back in, and it worked fine.
So, check all your vaccum hoses, etc, change your sparks, dry-gas it. If that doesn't work, change the filter, and have the codes check (it should tell if the O2 sensor is something is bad). If that doesn't work, flush the tank. I hope that'll help.
 


Noodler

I wear socks
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
CEL was for a misfire? knock? It would really help to know what the actual reading was. Not what some guy think is the cause.
 




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