Same problem again!

interceptor7

Member
Aug 11, 2006
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Some background: I recently resurrected my stang to daily driven status. about 3 weeks ago I washed the engine bay, and even though I was careful to cover the distributor and coil, the engine developed an idle problem. Basically, you crank it on, revs to about 2K RPM (normal), and then it drops momentarily to about 500 RPM and sputters like it wants to die. Then it comes back up and settles about 8K, but it stays pretty uneven, like I have a bigger cam (engine is stock, just a CAI).

A lot of people suggested I change the cap and rotor, and since it was over due for it anyways, I changed cap, rotor, plug wires and plugs. I used MSD cap&rotor, FMS wires, and Autolite platinum plugs.

Well, the problem went away for a couple of days, but yesterday it started doing the same thing. The old plugs didn't look bad, but the 1 to 4 plugs were a little rusty (I guess normal since they were about 2 years old).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
jrichker said:
See "Help me create the Surging Idle Checklist" at http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=534062
for help with your idle problems. The first post contains all the updates to the fixes. I continue to update it as more people post fixes or ask questions.
I've seen that (very thorough, BTW), but isn't a surging idle one that climbs, and stays up? Mine actually drops too low on starting(500pm) then stumbles back to 800-900 and stays there, but pretty uneven (fluctuating between 700-900). You can also feel the vacum changes on the brake pedal. I don't think is a vacum leak, because it started right after washing the engine.