What is a proper idle speed?

[Spiderldr]

I know my idle screw is out, it's a problem. Here's what happens. my engine starts off at about 2300 rpm idle. Then it starts reving up and down on it's own. Anywhere from 1000 to 3000. But most commonly from 1500 to 2500. Whats the normal idle supposed to be?

[A20A1]

What you are experiencing when you first start the car is fast idle. That is supposed to go to 2,000 rpm? and then as the car warms up it drops.


First off make sure you wait for your car to warm up fully (fast idle off) before making your idle adjustment.
The radiator fans should come on...

but you can do okay just looking at the temp gauge in the dash. The needle should be at the point it is usually at 10 mins after you've been out driving.

[Spiderldr]

I dont think you understand. The screw is out. As in stripped and barely staying in the hole because a vacum tube pins it. The o ring is visible and air is getting sucked in the hole.

It usually starts reving only when the car is at average temp.

[shepherd79]

the normal idles speed for the car with engine cold 1400-1500 rpm.
when the engine warms up the idle should be 650 rpm.

to adjust the fast idle when the engine is cold. locate the fast idle valve and remove the top of it (2 screws). using flat wide screw driver screw in (clockwise) to lower the fast idle, (counterclockwise) to raise the fast idle.

to adjust the idle when it warms up, you need to make sure the car at normal operating temp. the idle screw should be screwed in. again clockwise will lower the idle and counterclockwise will raise the idle.

as you said, your idle screw is out and it is stripped. well, the only way to fix that is by replacing hole throttlebody.