Initial cold start idle speed

[road_rascal]

When I first start my car ('99 Ford Taurus 24V Duratech) after it has been sitting overnight or at least 7-8 hours the initial idle speed varies from 1800-2300 rpms. After about 20-25 seconds the engine eventually settles down to around 1000 rpms. I have been told this is normal for this car. My wife's '01 Windstar with the 3.8 somewhat does the same thing but the startup idle only hits about 1400-1500 rpms. I use a full synthetic oil and I don't always have the luxury of parking it in the heated garage at work, although it's always in the garage at home. Does this situation seem correct for this vehicle? Having the motor rev over 2000 when it's below zero makes me cringe.

 

[Dan4510]

This is the way the compters are set. the old cars with chokes if set to factory specs did the same thing. Very high cold idle and then you had to stab the gas peddle to get it to come down. Now, at least the computer does it.

Every car I have owned with a carb, i have adjusted the cold idle to only go to about 800 rpm on cold start on 30 degree day.

I cringe too running a cold engine that high of an rpm on startup.

Dan

 

[7TFord]

Both my Toyota vehicles do that as well....the Tacoma seems to be worse though. Toyota confirmed also that it was the computer dictating this, but it doesn't make it any easier as you say to here an engine rev at cold start. Good argument though I figured to go with an 0/30 product in my crankcase.

 

[Quattro Pete]

2000 rpm on a cold engine does seem kind of high. Who knows, maybe that's what it takes to keep this engine alive when not warmed up.

During a cold start the little 1.8T engine in my A4 idles at 1200rpm for 1 minute and then drops down to around 800 rpm, which is the normal idle.

However, when it's very cold out (below freezing), this 1 minute routine is skipped and the idle starts and remains at 800 rpm. Apparently this is to minimize engine wear which would occur if you had it running at high rpms with all the oil still sitting in the pan.

 

[mdv]

quote:

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Originally posted by Quattro Pete:
2000 rpm on a cold engine does seem kind of high. Who knows, maybe that's what it takes to keep this engine alive when not warmed up.

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They sacrifice wear for better cold start and warm-up emissions. By running at the higher rpm you warm up the cat faster. It's scary hearing some of those motors clatter when it's cold out though. I guess we can thank the government for that one.