Notices
Lancer Engine Tech Discuss specs/changes to the engine from cams to fully balanced and blueprinted engines!

Low idle after spark plug change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 3, 2005, 05:40 PM
  #1  
Account Disabled
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
davids2004's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Low idle after spark plug change

Ok I changed out my spark plugs today and when im driving and come to a complete stop my car seems to idle around 500-600 rpms were before it would go to around 900-1000. It happens right when I stop and then about 5 seconds later it goes up to around 900-1000.

Anyone have an idea.
davids2004 is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2005, 05:50 PM
  #2  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Handmemyarms's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: the OC
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
600 sounds right, thats what mine does now, and im pretty sure everyone else's does it too
Handmemyarms is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2005, 06:10 PM
  #3  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (7)
 
KillahB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Was your gap correct? RIght heat range spark plug? RIght plug? All plugs in securely? All plug wires connected? Double check everything.
KillahB is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2005, 06:21 PM
  #4  
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
 
thcomb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just changed mine and the same thing happened. It has seemed to go away with time. For me it was bad though, it would drop to 500 and bounce up to 1000 over and over whenever I pushed in the clutch. The ECU just had a mind ****.

This was all after reseting the ECU. (First time since the middle of winter)
thcomb is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2005, 08:23 PM
  #5  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (16)
 
comatose721's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toms River, NJ
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
my car usually idles around 600-800 depending on the temperature outside and the humidity...any durastic change in whether though and my PB ECU goes spastic...many of times i downshifted in the middle of turning and while i hit the clutch halfway through the car stalled and wheel locked up, all of this due to the idle dropping to 400...anyways, i wouldn't worry about it. do as AIRQUEZ said, double check everything. if the problem persists or gets worse over the next few days reset the ECU.
comatose721 is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2005, 06:25 AM
  #6  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (8)
 
blaze_125's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: QC
Posts: 2,731
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by thcomb
This was all after reseting the ECU. (First time since the middle of winter)
Plugs weren't your issue... Resetting the ECU caused that to happen
blaze_125 is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2005, 07:34 AM
  #7  
Account Disabled
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
davids2004's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When I hand tightening the spark plugs down until they were snug I could still turn the spark plugs slightly. I dont know if I should tighten them down until they wont turn but I didnt want to overdue it. Did I do the right thing?
davids2004 is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2005, 08:25 PM
  #8  
EvoM Staff Alumni
iTrader: (8)
 
HobieKopek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
They were too loose. They should not be turning when they're in place. Just tighten it like you would any soft nut/bolt. Enough to hold it, but not so much as to strip it.
HobieKopek is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2005, 09:01 PM
  #9  
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (1)
 
rhyzin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: From SLO to San Jose
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2 finger rule: with a ~1' socket wrench, use one hand to hold the socket and extension straight with the sparkplug. use your index and middle finger to push on the edge of the handle. most even the strongest guys couldn't go wrong with this method.
rhyzin is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2005, 09:09 PM
  #10  
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
coal's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just but enough force so the crush washer can smash down. but not too much.
coal is offline  
Old Jul 14, 2005, 05:03 PM
  #11  
Account Disabled
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
davids2004's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Spark plugs all tight still doing it anyone else.
davids2004 is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2005, 07:13 AM
  #12  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (7)
 
KillahB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is there anything else you did?
KillahB is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2005, 09:40 AM
  #13  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (16)
 
comatose721's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toms River, NJ
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
check your coil packs + plug wires???
comatose721 is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2005, 10:13 AM
  #14  
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
 
hypo74's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Across The GW Bridge
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When tightening your plugs is, rule of thumb, when tight, give it a quarter turn. That assures that they are snug. Also, what was stated above, make sure your plugs are gapped correctly. The NGK that you get for your lancer at any parts, are the same ones you would get from the dealership. Under your hood, tells you what the gapping should be. .42 is what the dealership does.
hypo74 is offline  
Old Jul 16, 2005, 05:59 PM
  #15  
Account Disabled
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
davids2004's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I did mine at .40
davids2004 is offline  


Quick Reply: Low idle after spark plug change



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:03 AM.