Hello all,

I recently got a 2014 Evo MR back in November and have driven 2000 miles since then, but I've noticed minor idle and rough starting issues with the car.

First the idle, I noticed once the car's warmed up the idle would fluctuate between 1000 and 900 rpm continuously and the car would vibrate ever so slightly when the needle dips to 900 rpm. With the AC compressor on the rpms would stay in the 1200 to 1000 range which feels normal to me. I don't know if the rpm drop is caused by a power draw, ****ty stock tune, or I am just being paranoid.

2nd issue, on some mornings the car would start up pretty roughly. At startup it would hesitate/misfire and rpms would slowly rise to 1500 and after the initial 2 seconds of hesitation its fine. I've switched to the new fuel pump relay, and I also wait until the fuel pump is primed before i crank the car. The weather is around 52 degrees in the mornings. I've encountered this rough start 3 times, all in the cold mornings. I've had no issues with "cold" starts in the afternoon when ambient temps are around 70-85 degrees. Again, is this due to the stock tune?

This is my first new car, before this I've been driving a 99 Honda Prelude since high school (10 years now). This is a fun car and I hope to have fun roaming through these forums.

 

The first one sounds normal to me my car does the same thing, and most cars Ive owned do the same thing. Small engine adding load idle will rise up. Second one I'm not sure, usually even when its cold my car might take a second longer to start up while cranking but there are no misfires you might want to get that checked out at the dealer since its a brand new car.

 

About the only thing I can add to this is the fact that I hate you for your cold starts being 52 degrees. It was about 20 degrees when I left for work this morning lol.

 

Haha yeah here in Michigan 52 degrees is shorts season

 

LOL people from the east coast hate me when I talk about California weather.
The high today was 84 in San Diego.

Anyhow, I don't think its a misfire but it is pretty hesitant to climb up to 1500 rpm for a cold start. Usually when I start the car it immediately shoots to 1500 rpm. I use 91 octane gas, and my car is pointed downward on a slope if that has anything to do with it.

I'm just going to keep driving to see if this issue becomes more serious,

 

Check the vac line going to the fuel regulator.

 

has anyone with a '12+ noticed some vibration under acceleration in 2nd/3rd? i noticed as i pull from about 2500 rpms in 2nd, or 3rd, that i get some vibration in the steering wheel, and my friend said its pretty heavy in the rear seat..

 

Do you have it tuned for 91 octane? You're supposed to run 93 only unless you tune otherwise. I'm pretty sure that your issue right there dude.

 

Even Stock you are able to run it on 91 or 93. Anyways My car takes a second or so to get too 1500 rpm in the cold, actually both of the evo's I have owned were this way, at least until I went and got my AP. The idle fluctuation is normal tho.

 

I wish we had 93 at our gas stations in Cali!

But no his issue is not the octane.

 

I love reading posts like these and then compare them to ours, where the cams are big enough it barely holds an idle and lopes all over the place. When it's really hot, I have to hold my foot into the throttle to keep any idle at all; blipping it like a dirt bike, to keep it alive. I think you are ok.

On the other point. You are on warranty, get it checked out. If it weren't new I'd say plugs.

 

Well my car is stock, so it's not an octane issue. There is one thing I forgot to mention, every morning when I warm up the car, the exhaust would make sporadic popping noises until the idle evens out at 1k rpm. The car has been doing this from day one. The only other time when I hear the exhaust pop is when I downshift into high rpm.

I've always thought it was normal, now I am have second thoughts about it.

 

Take it to the dealer.

 

I second littlezrexer's comment... make it their headache and not yours. That way you can be worry free everytime you start your car.

 

it's an electronic choke, its just running a little rich when it is cold that air doesn't combust as well. These are still rally cars in a street suit and a little rough around the edges

there is a free recall that is an ECM flash for the MR's that improves cold starting performance, the dealer should know about it.