3.2 idle variation when cold
 

Hi, I drive my car everyday to work and home in the arv, not in between. When I start the car in the morning, it idles normally UNTIL I either depress the throttle, or put the engine under load, when it starts varying (hunting). This stops if I give it a bit of a rev to around 2000rpm. BUT, the same problem does not occur in the afternoon. I'm flummoxed. I've read other threads on the hunting problem, but none seem to occur only in the morning.

All suggestion greatly appreciated.

Thanks

pete

CO mixture setting, most likely. The morning air is cooler, therefore more dense, which results in a leaner mixture during idle. Once you hit the gas, the idle switch is released, which kicks in the DME control of the mixture. Get your mixture checked with a gas analyzer and then perform the idle setting procedure.

If you are in a region that requires smog tests, you can compare your CO results to spec.

I'd check the Bentley manual, and go through the various voltage and resistance checks. You can eliminate the CHT, ICV, etc as problems with a few checks with a multimeter. There is also one possibility, which is a leak in the cold air valve circuit, most likely at a hose end. If you don't have a Bentley manual, then the obvious starting point is to get one.

zoanas, rusnak, thanks guys. Sorry is was so late in replying, but I've been away. I appreciate the tips and will follow up

cheers

pete

Your base idle speed may be set too high also. This may be due to minor vacuum leaks that develope over time.