'94 ST Idling Seems Very Low, Symptoms noticed after long hibernation period Options

[UTSlickVic]

Hey all,

Hate to say this but I had not started/ran my car for 6+months. So I decided to get her started and do some maintenance. Before I started her I changed the oil and filter. Had to jump her to get here started, but after that all was fine (battery practically brand new). It has a very small amount of fuel left but did not fill her up with new fuel yet.

Ok, so here is what I noticed. Driving experience was great aside from the brake pad noise. She did not sputter nor was there a hesitation in acceleration (1.8L so I don't expect much). One thing that I that took me off guard was when I stoppped (still in drive) her idle was so soft/quiet that I tought the engine was about to die. 3Years Back: I got my timing belt changed and I noticed afterwards that it had a slight vibration when stopped / in park, but it never really phased me. Vibration can be "seen" through the steering wheel. Back to the Present: So I just chalked up the restart experience to me not being use to my 1.8L. So I got out left her running / in park, thats when I noticed I could see vibration (moderate shaking) on my trunk lid. Traced it back to the exhaust which then I traced back to the engine... which makes sense.

Long story short: The idle is so low that it is causing an engine vibration. Its like it has found harmony between idle and nearly koncking out. Right now she is idling at ~500-600 rpm.

Fuel filter has been replaced before (~3yrs ago) and PCV valve. As far as I know my throttle adjucstment has never been tampered with. After all this brain storming I regapped/cleaning up my spark plugs... made a very slight difference.

My biggest worry is ?maybe? my timing belt job was done improperly. Again I think she has HAD this problem ever since that time belt job... I think. But everyone tells me its not that (not sure why it can't be that). My distributer and and plug wire have never been replaced. I wish I can see a change in RPMs due to the a/c compressor but my a/c has been out of service for awhile now. Engine mounts need replacing?

I would like to know what I can do myself before I take it to a mechanic. Would like to here someone's diagnosis on this?

THANKS

-Vic

PS: Glad to be back on the 6GC board!

This post has been edited by UTSlickVic: Sep 7, 2010 - 4:41 PM

[SupraKid]

^^thats way to low....That equals not enough oil circulation which in turn puts unnecessary wear on the parts and eats your piston rings

[rave2n]

^^thats way to low....That equals not enough oil circulation which in turn puts unnecessary wear on the parts and eats your piston rings

Yea I agree it is, but I don't have long term goals on this engine. Much less the desire to fix any future failures.

Yea its a simple fix, but eatting my rings up..well it is a 7afe with 155k+ on it...those rings are long worn. You can ask the white smoke when I start her up everyone morning. Runs like a champ, and it will continue, until I swap the beginning of next year.

But for the ones that do wish to keep your engine in prime condition..yea, I would fix it.