3.0 CIS cold idle
 

My car is not a daily driver by any means. On a cold start, it has a few slight sputters, then settles into an idle of about 1800 rpm. Once warmed up (maybe 5-10 mins of driving), it comes down to about 600rpm or so. I'm just wondering if this high idle at cold is normal?

Cheers,
Todd

I have the same condition more or less, I'd say for me I get 5 minutes of 1200-1400 depending on how cold it is outside. If it settles down after 5 minutes to around 1k you should be fine, if you are doing a lot of stop and go it may take longer.

Your idle speed needs to be reset to 900-1100 (some CIS engines like a slightly higher than factory spec idle speed). At the same time (once the car has warmed up and at an acceptable idle speed) the mixture needs to be set.

It needs a good tuning by a qualified AND SMART tech....no parts replacing until it's fixed type of troubleshooting. I say troubleshooting, because the system needs to be analyzed and the adjustments (tuning) performed according to the problems.

If you do a search for AAR and WUR you will find out all you need to know about this. It is the function of the Auxiliary Air Regulator to keep the revs up until the engine gets warm. The Warm Up Regulator is actually a control pressure regulator, and it adjusts the mixture to allow for variations in engine temperature and, in some models, throttle input and altitude.

Your revs when warm should be where Souk said. That is more important than the cold temp revs@ startup, especially in a warm climate like yours. Because these parts are now about 30 years old in these cars, there is going to be a lot of variation. I have seen cold startup revs as low as 1100 and as high as 2500. The important thing is that the revs stay high enough to minimize backfiring and prevent stalling and sputtering during warmup.

BTW do you have an airbox popoff valve?

Actually I was a little mistaken. I had not driven the car in a few weeks, but drove it yesterday. About 1800 RPM for probably less than 5 minutes, then it was about 900.

I know the AAR was replace about 2 years ago. The car does have the pop off valve installed as well.

Thanks!!