Hi Folks,

30 minutes ago I returned from a 4,600km drive from Brisbane to Innamincka, Lyndhurst, Marree, Birdsville, Blackall and home in my '82 Transporter. A couple of days ago the engine (EJ22) started revving around 2,000rpm at idle (a little faster until it had warmed up). This was a bit of an issue in that the vehicle is an automatic! I managed to check a number of the connectors whilst away and moved all the computer connections and grey plugs hoping that there may have been some dust somewhere in one of them. I didn't achieve any success.

I am very pushed to get this sorted tomorrow am and am wondering if people have experienced such a large increase in idle speed? I'll trawl the online archives when I have had some sleep, but though someone may go online before then and be able to relate a similar experience AND solution.

Thanks folks,

Dave

PS The trip was GREAT and easily achievable in a vehicle in reasonable repair.

You may find the idle controll valve has a carbon build up in it . You can remove it and clean it out. Also get a can of top end cleaner from subaru , or super crap !, read the rear of the can as it tells you what to do . Ps : Dont touch the small screws with the dop of white paint

Thanks Neil,
I had a problem with the TPS once before that cleaning fixed. I'll look at it tomorrow.

Dave

I'd be looking for air leaks after the throttle body. Maybe PCV valve, hose, connections.

Thanks Guys,

Thanks for the replies. I had checked hoses and the throttle "resting position" during the journey.

I checked all the air/vacuum hoses etc again and nothing was amiss. Even sprayed gas around and the only change occurred when I sprayed near the air filter. I lubricated anything that moves!

There WAS a great deal of of dust (and stones) around the engine, but not in crucial places and the throttle seemed to be doing the right thing.

I re-adjusted the the TPS gap after checking it was doing what it is supposed to do. I have not got into cleaning the insides (very difficult when the EJ22 is in a previously air-cooled van because the air inlet is so close to the firewall). I may yet have to look at that. I haven't yet been out so haven't got hold of the top-end cleaner, but will asap.

I think I have essentially solved my idle problem but am wondering why/how (I reset the throttle gap). I did tap the TPS fairly vigorously, so maybe dust was dislodged. I was surprised that it appears there are a couple of triangular holes that could let dust into the unit though it is not possible to open it without drilling a couple of brass rivets holding everything together - so I left that for another time.

Thanks again guys.

Dave

PS on the trip I was in the Birdsville c'van park with 100+ 4WD vehicles. The VW was the only 2WD there! At Yowah last year I was abused (by a mechanic) for having a VW so far "out"!