A healthy engine idle rate is generally around 1000rpm. When your car idle rate fluctuates from lower than 600rpm to 1000rpm or over, jolts or shakes, or feels like it could stall at any moment, it’s likely there’s an issue with your ignition or fuel or air intake.
To get your car back to its smooth and stable idling rate, you’re going to need to pinpoint the problem. Fixter can help with that. We’ve got the finest network of fully qualified mechanics ready and waiting to put any problem straight. Get in touch today to enjoy our completely contactless end-to-end service.
What causes unstable idling?
Many of the issues that cause unstable idling are based on fuel or air intake or the ignition system. Erratic idling could be down to fuel injectors, spark plugs, dirty filters, faulty sensors, or even from being set to the wrong idle rate in the first place.
Unstable or rough idling might not seem like much of a problem at first, even with an occasional stall here and there, but beware, it can soon develop into far more serious issues making your car dangerous to drive or even causing your engine to fail completely.
What are the most common causes of unstable idling?
Dirty fuel injectors
Risk level – Medium
What to do – Have the injectors cleaned, or if they’re beyond saving, replaced.
Fuel injectors inject fuel into the engine cylinders. It’s at this point it combines with air creating the idle mix to ignite, burn, and power your car. Clogged, dirty or failing fuel injectors prevent the precise measure of fuel from entering the cylinders, and with such tiny nozzles, it doesn’t have to be much to prevent a full measure from being delivered.
Defective spark plugs, plug leads, and ignition coils
Risk level – Medium
What to do – Replace the faulty components.
There are plenty of other components that affect fuel and air delivery into the engine’s cylinders—all of which can cause rough or unstable idling. Spark plugs, leads, and ignition coils, where faulty, worn or damaged, can cause the juddering and jolting of an unstable idling engine.
Faulty filters, valves, and sensors
Risk level – Medium
What to do – Replace the faulty components.
There are other components that, if left to clog, become dirty or contaminated, can affect the air/fuel mix and your engine idling.
An air filter, when clogged over prolonged use, prevents the correct mix of fuel and air.
The PCV valve (positive crankcase ventilation) is responsible for returning unburned fuel back into the engine and, over time, can be congested with sludge and dirt.
An EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation) sends exhaust gases back through the intake system to lower emissions. But, once again, over time, the EGR valve can seize—open or closed—causing problems with the fuel mix leading to more idling.
Then there are the sensors that send information to your ECU. The oxygen sensor can be affected by high temperatures or clog with carbon deposits. If the level is misread, a too-lean mix of fuel and air will result in unstable engine idling.
Engine set at the wrong idle speed
Risk level – Medium
What to do – Have the idle speed set to the manufacturer setting.
It sounds far too simple, but sometimes an engine is merely set to the wrong speed for that particular make and model; alternatively, it can change due to wear and tear. A quick tune-up will rectify this simple problem.
Faulty fuel pump
Risk level – High
What to do – Replace it immediately.
Another essential component possible of wear over time is the fuel pump. If this component is slowly failing, the mix won’t include the correct amount of fuel for a steady idle.
Leaking vacuum system
Risk level – High
What to do – Locate the leak and repair or replace the offending part.
There are plenty of places your engine system can develop a leak, and because its performance demands a sealed vacuum, they’re always going to cause problems and performance issues.
What should I do if my engine is idling rough or unstable?
Have your nearest Fixter mechanic locate the problem with a diagnostic test. They’re easy to organise and can uncover all kinds of issues long before they get out of hand.
What are other common symptoms related to unstable idling?
When your engine isn’t performing correctly, you may also notice poor acceleration, lower fuel economy, a lack of power, regular stalling and di