I am new to this thread and to the G body world. I have a 82 Cutlass lowrider that has been sitting in storage for over 20 years, it was my GF HS car, we got it out of her dads garage and are fixing things here and there. We are having idling issues, while in park it seems to idle nice, no tach, but sounds like a good idle, now while in drive or reverse it seems to be idling a little low, and will stall at times, mostly within the first 20 mins of driving it will stall from dead stop and sometimes if accelerating. My questions are is this an idle issue? or a Carb issue? or what could it be? and how can i adjust the idle on the carb? it looks like it has an actuator which controls the throttle, so idk how to adjust it, I just installed a new set of plugs and wires and am looking for some guidance on this, since its a convertible my GF is hoping to cruise it soon, but is cautious bc of the stalling issue. Thanks for the help =)
Idle issues, how to adjust idle, please help.
- Thread starter jasindude1
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Does it have a computer controlled carb? Is it a V8 or V6? Quadrajet or aftermarket carb? On all carbs there is an idle screw you turn in to turn up or down the idle When in park it should be in "high idle" at about 800-1000rpm. In gear it should drop to 800 or below but never stall. Since it sat for so long did you drain the gas tank? Check the fuel filter under the car (on frame on driver's side, or should be. Little metal round canister with a metal line running through it.) Also go down to the part store and buy a clear fuel filter for a couple bucks and put it in line where you can see it inbetween the fuel pump and carb to see if it's clogging up at all.
Idk if its computer or not, its the factory setup, I mean their are connections to it, but idk if they are sensors or not, plus idk what "computer controlled" meant back in the 80's its all factory V6 factory quad jet 2bbl carb. gas tank was checked and nice and clear, filter was swapped, old one didnt appear to be dirty at all, well i should say excessively dirty or rusty at least, threw some seafoam in the tank just to help with any build up, Ok, this is whats happening, it does idle "high" in park, i thought it might of been too high, but if thats normal than cool, and then when we kick it into park, it makes a "thud" noise and jerks a bit (which i think is due to a faulty motor mount) and will die, sometimes it will move a bit but then die, if we let it sit and idle for a while usually 15-20 mins we can drive it without stalling, but randomly but not frequently it will stall at a stop sign, is the idle the screw to agains the carb by the actuator? I was under the impression that the actuator controlled the idle for the vehicle.
The carb probably needs rebuilding. It is normal for a engine to idle slower in drive than in park, you are supposed to check idle speed in drive. There is also a idle fuel mixture adjustment screw called the idle air bleed valve that is sealed with a anti tampering plug that must be drilled out. If your 82 is a stock V6, then it should have a computer controlled 2bbl, Dualjet carb. For computer control carburetor cars you really need a analog dwell meter to diagnose them. The most common cause of idle issues in general are vacuum leaks which affect idle quality the most. There are lots of sources for vacuum leaks.
Easiest thing to do would be to rip the computer crap out and just get a two barrel dual jet from the 70s, might need and adapter plate. Also noncoputer HEI (mid to late 70s Buick 350 should work since it's a Buick v6, just get v6 cap and rotor) and it'd be good. But before you try any of that, go through that carb. Dual Jets (Two barrel rochesters) are dead easy to rebuild.
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