Occasional very rough idel

[crater]

O.K. recently I had changed the plugs, wires, fuel filter and added a bottle of Techron to the gas. That was about 400 miles ago. Since then, I have an occasional rough idel. It's something like every other stop that I make at a red light.The car almost complety shut downs at some times. In addition, it seems that some times the car is running really smooth but other times, it seems to have somewhat of a drag about it.

Should I add some SeaFoam to the tank,or another bottle of Techron,or just see if what ever the problem is, works itself out.

I usually drive no more than 10 miles a day. Stop and go traffic.

I don't feel like having the idel adusted would solve the problem, since, like I said, sometimes it running and ideling really smooth.

Thanks in advance.

 

[freeze12]

Have You tried cleaning the "Idle Air Control Valve" on the Throttlebody with throttlebody cleaner as after time the Pintle carbons up causing a rough idle.

 

[crater]

quote:

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Originally posted by freeze12:
Have You tried cleaning the "Idle Air Control Valve" on the Throttlebody with throttlebody cleaner as after time the Pintle carbons up causing a rough idle.

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No, I have not done that. Honestly, never even heard of that or the cleaner. Is that something that the "average Joe" can do on 97 Malibu?

 

[freeze12]

Yes... It is a simple process & any auto parts store will carry the cleaner. While at the store,grab a book off the shelf & it will give You the location of the IAC valve on the throttlebody or just ask the counter guy.

 

[mechtech]

ditto freeze

 

[ITSMR2U]

Could also be a dirty MAF (Mass Air Flow sensor). It is a heated wire that reacts to volume and temp. of intake air flow and controls mixture. Look it up and clean by spraying with cleaner as above.

 

[crater]

You guy's rock. I just cleaned the IAC and squirted some cleaner into the throttle body.

The IAC was caked and I could only could get my finger into the throttle body, but it was almost like dirty oil that came out on my finger. I kept cleaning it the best I could. It has made a world of differnce.

Of course in keeping up with my trandition of breaking something while trying to save a buck, I was able to crack the retaining clip on top of my air filter housing unit, while checking on my air filter. There was a lot of dust and debris in side the housing unit, and while trying to vacum it out, that's when the clip broke. Now I need to replace that.

Anyway, thanks for the help on the IAC thinggy.