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Problem with startup idle

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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 12:51 PM
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Default Problem with startup idle

When I start my 79 L82 4spd after a few days of sitting, it will idle at 2000 rpm even though the timing has just been set. After driving around for a few minutes, it finally gets back down to 1000.

Does anybody have any thoughts on what is wrong? Thanks.
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by HoosierHoopsFan
When I start my 79 L82 4spd after a few days of sitting, it will idle at 2000 rpm even though the timing has just been set. After driving around for a few minutes, it finally gets back down to 1000.

Does anybody have any thoughts on what is wrong? Thanks.

Choke may need adjustment.
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 01:12 PM
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Thanks. I've got the AIM at home, I'll look at it for the specifics tonight. Is it an easy adjustment?
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by HoosierHoopsFan
Thanks. I've got the AIM at home, I'll look at it for the specifics tonight. Is it an easy adjustment?

I could be. I'm not sure what carb or what kind of choke you have...but if you;re not confident than a good mechanic would be able to do it in about fifteen minutes.
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 03:03 PM
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My '72 does this all of the time. It is just the high idle cam coming into position when you depress the gas pedal and the choke closes. Once the car warms up, the choke opens and your idle drops back down.

Good luck,
Dino
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 04:27 PM
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if your car has a q-jet, the adjustment screw is on the passenger side of the carb, just above the base...the screw faces the front of the car...turn counter clockwise to lower the rpm
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 1stC3Vette
My '72 does this all of the time. It is just the high idle cam coming into position when you depress the gas pedal and the choke closes. Once the car warms up, the choke opens and your idle drops back down.

Good luck,
Dino
I agree sounds like the fast idle cam at work
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 04:49 PM
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Sounds like a vacuum leak to me, off-choke idle should be under 1000 rpm.

Steve
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 1stC3Vette
My '72 does this all of the time. It is just the high idle cam coming into position when you depress the gas pedal and the choke closes. Once the car warms up, the choke opens and your idle drops back down.

Good luck,
Dino
So is it something I don't need to bother with or does the high idle cam need adjusting?
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by HoosierHoopsFan
So is it something I don't need to bother with or does the high idle cam need adjusting?

It does need attention. 2000 is a very high idle RPM considering a 70 MPH jaunt down a highway in an overdrive transmission car sets you at just over that.
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by HoosierHoopsFan
So is it something I don't need to bother with or does the high idle cam need adjusting?
First off, I would want to know if this happens to you all of the time, or if it just started happening. I am assuming it happens all of the time.

I would recoommend the high idle to be set around 1200-1400 rpm max. There is an adjustment screw on the vacuum choke pull off side of the carburetor. It will be down low, so look carefully. When the car is in high idle, turn the screw and see if you can reduce it.

For low idle, I like to see the car run between 700-800rpm. This adjustment is made on the other side of the carburetor close to where the throttle cable is connected.

I am no expert, just like to research findings from others and read up on what Lars and some of the other experts recommend. I have heard that a slightly opened secondary throttle plate could cause a high idle. This type of problem would seem to creep up on you.

Good luck,
Dino
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 06:32 PM
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This problem just started happening a couple weeks ago. When the car is warm, there is no problem. When it is cold is when it happens.

I'll be firing it up tomorrow, I'll try to adjust the high idle screw. Thank you.
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 08:27 PM
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I have the same problem with mine and you have to adjust the screw on the passenger side to bring down the rpm's.
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by HoosierHoopsFan
I'll be firing it up tomorrow, I'll try to adjust the high idle screw. Thank you.

Good luck.
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