Hi folks,
I just flushed my radiator this weekend, and now the engine will "stutter" at idle. When Im driving seems normal but when I stop at stop sign it really starts moving the car back and forth, and RPMs going up and down. Whats going on? Is this related to flush, it didnt seem to happen before. Did I add to much in the radiator or something. Please help! BTW I am pretty novice so keep it easy!
Thanks!


----

'87 Trans Am 305

 

I doubt this is the problem but it is remotely possible you removed some crud that was sealing a leak somewhere. I would check for chocolate milk on the dip stick just to rule out coolant leaking into the oil. I highly doubt this could happen but it doesn't hurt to check.

R

 

Thanks I will check the dipstick.

It also only happens when Im in drive or reverse. At a stop sign I will throw it into park and the RPMs even out and its fine. If I keep it in drive it really starts stammering and RPMs keep going down its like struggling to keep the engine on or something.

 

Have you done a tune up lately?

R

 

not formally. i just bought the car recently but its had a recent oil change and its got new plugs and wires.

but hey- i changed the IAC valve last night and guess what! its about 95% better! it must have been the original in there it was pretty gumped up.

it must have just been a coincidence it got worse after i did the flush.

sometimes it will drop down to 500ish RPM when im idling at a stop light and struggle to keep above that, but its fairly steady, it wont drop down or stall or anything.

can i increase the idle RPM when i'm in drive? how do i adjust this? is there a screw on a TPI engine?


thanks!

 

PS the oil in my dipstick has a light reddish color. does this mean something?

the other cars i have had have a more dark brown color..

 

No, it's ok, it's not dark colored because it was just changed. If it ever looks chocolate milk or brown mayonaise, this is bad.