3.0 Idle problem

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 26, 2008 | 04:47 PM

1978Crew

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 298

Likes: 0

From: Central Texas

3.0 Idle problem

Have a 2001 Tribute with 3.0. Having an idle problem. Rough idle, esp. when the thing is cold. It will idle about 600rpm and then slowly the rpm will drop to 100. Sometime the idle will drop almost instantly to 100 rpm. When it is cold, the engine will die. After the engine has warmed up it won't die but will idle really rough. I do not know what is causing the problem. I replace the idle control valve and it seem to be a little better, but not working well. I suspected the EGR but problem occurs when cold, when the EGR is not supposed to be ingaged. I think the EGR is working fine. I put a piece of vacuum hose on the EGR valve and pull a vac. the engine will pull down when vaccum is applied - so i think EGR is working. removal of EGR vacuum control has no affect on the idle.

Any ideas?

I am getting a code for lean mix on both banks. Clear the code at it will stay gone for a while, but always comes back.

Jan 26, 2008 | 06:51 PM

antony25

Senior User

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 305

Likes: 1

From: Omaha, NE

These have lower intake gasket problems. While you have the intake off replace the PCV valve as its difficult to get to with the intake on. Also check the PCV rubber tube for deterioration.

Jan 28, 2008 | 06:49 AM

1978Crew

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 298

Likes: 0

From: Central Texas

what is the oil separator, and can/ should that be serviced at the same time?

What should I be looking for with the intake?

Jan 28, 2008 | 03:43 PM

antony25

Senior User

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 305

Likes: 1

From: Omaha, NE

The oil separator is in the engine valley. The pcv is screwed into the separator. The lower intake is what the fuel rail is attached to. The o-ring style gaskets tend to flatten out allowing unmetered air only noticeable at idle.

Jan 28, 2008 | 04:00 PM

1978Crew

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 298

Likes: 0

From: Central Texas

so does the oil separater need to be replaced? or only the PCV and the PCv gasket. I have pulled the upper manifold and replaced the gaskets, torqueing them down per instructions. I think I still have the lower gasket kits as well. I may just dig into that tonight.

Feb 11, 2008 | 08:49 AM

1978Crew

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 298

Likes: 0

From: Central Texas

Replaced the PCV over the weekend. Idle is much smoother. And to top it off... the Gfriend is pleased with how it is running.

Feb 16, 2008 | 08:31 PM

xkpsanit

More Turbo

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 628

Likes: 3

From: in the middle of nowhere

Same probs, self accelerating then stumble idle, been a bitch. It finally died and wouldn't start after I put new intake gaskets in it. And the PCV was frozen solid. Thawed that out during the gasket swap. Had the same codes for lean banks. Just put a new Mass air flow in it today with a new fuel filter, runs amazing. (tried to clean it with rubbing alcohol but broke it.) #@%&'n A $155 and they want the old one back for the metal or something. After I put it in , it is a whole new car that runs....I think I might have found the issue, we will have to wait till it gets colder, 38 degrees today. Try to unplug your mass air flow sensor and see if it will idle, mine idled great without it, will not with it plugged in. 02 3.0 145,000 miles