Halloween Treat? Or Possible Trick? - Problem Solved!

[gsaruk]

Since I've owned the Deli, it has always started quickly, but had a pretty good shake going for the first couple of minutes while in Park or Reverse. No problem.

Funny thing, though. A couple of days ago it was a little harder to start (had to hold the key a bit longer), and there was quite a bit of grey smoke for a few minutes. Since then, there is much less of a shake when she starts up. In fact, there is hardly any shake at all anymore!

At the risk of looming a gift horse in the mouth, I am concerned with the fact that she is now idling higher in Park (1700rpm).

Any idea what happened?

[TardisDeli]

Hhhmmmm, Not a good thing, hobgoblins.

Please update your profile ie "L300 1991 auto" so others can help you, you will get replies then to help troubleshoot.

If I assume L300 .... What was your idle on tach before ? The idle speed very different on manual (much higher) vs automatic transmission (much lower). Mine, L300 1991 Auto, idles slower and rougher on start in park now that weather is colder, my AUTO idles about 700rpm, some say optimum is 750. Possible crud in fuel lines would make it idle rougher. Also need to know year of vehicle, as L300 prior to 1993 were manual pull knob located beside cigarette lighter to left of steering wheel which creates "choke" effect, actually merely increases idle, you can see the knob actually moves the "gas pedal" ... verify that you havent left the knob turned to the right which locks it in place ... hence turn to left to unlock. After 1992-ish (the actually month varies by model) the knob dissappeared, engine does "choke" automatically. Either way, fix it, wrong idle will cause unburned fuel, creates carbon glue to clog stuff -- bad hobgoblins. Drop by our house anytime if you want to compare idle sounds. Cheers, Christine.

PS: Just added a new thought: there is a tiny cotter pin about half inch long, underneath the throttle linkage which is just to the passenger side of the engine (you push the linkage with your finger and it has the same reving effect as pushing the fuel pedal) unless the cotter pin is broken. This 25 cent cotter breaks with age.

[jessef]

need more info like what Delica you actually have

Can only armchair quarterback with that little info

throttle stuck/locked in the pulled position effectively raising the idle speed

1700rpm in park ? That's screaming high.

[FalcoColumbarius]

1,700RPM is about 63 KPH on a level road in an L300. I'd be inclined to adjust the idle, just a little bit, save fuel.

Falco.

[jessef]

1,700RPM is about 63 KPH on a level road in an L300. I'd be inclined to adjust the idle, just a little bit, save fuel.

Falco.

He's running 1,700rpm at idle, not while driving.

700 at idle is healthy. 1,700 is not good. Something is out of adjustment.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I realise, just putting it in some perspective as far as energy is concerned.

Falco.

[gsaruk]

Thank you for your thoughts.

She's a 1992 L300 Auto.

Christine, I'll check on that pin suggestion this afternoon.

[gsaruk]

Thank you to all those that responded.

The solution was actually quite simple, and a bit embarrassing. While doing a bit of electrical work on the battery, jay and I discovered a small air intake hose tucked away alongside the battery. I failed to secure that when the battery was reinstalled. That hose ended up getting lodged in the throttle mechanism (?), thus preventing it from releasing entirely when the vehicle was in park. Plucked that hose out, secured it, and ... problem solved.

The good thing was that I realized my engine idled much more smoothly at startup with just a slight increase in the idle.

Lesson: secure your hoses!

Oh yeah, anybody know what that little air intake hose would be for?