Frustrated with idle

[Broke Down]

First off I have used the search engine with lots of mixed answers.

Sorry I know this is a redundant topic but I getting frustrated.

I have cleaned the governor with carbon cleaner, jb80, and brake parts cleaner and I still have an erratic idle. Am I missing something? I cleaned inside the housing where the fuel cut off cable runs inside the cover with two bolts. Sometimes it will run great then the next time you let off it starts all over. I also have been driving it in first gear at 1500-2000rpms for a while trying to see if it needed to be ran. I also have changed the fuel out a few months back to fresh fuel and added a generous amount of fuel cleaner.

 

[marchplumber]

Leak on a fuel line? Hole? Loose fitting? Mine didn't and probably doesn't like mixed fuel. Sorry I can't be of more assistance. There are MANY on here with a HUGE wealth of knowledge that can "chime in"
God bless, and good luck with the truck
Tony

 

[Broke Down]

Thanks, I didn't notice any leaks but I might have to degrease the engine bay so I can make sure, I haven't went that far but I did give the fuel lines a once over.

 

[moriboy]

I have had idle problems as well. I finally found the issue today when I pulled the ip off...... Water in the HH.
It was only in one injection line.

 

[Broke Down]

Sorry, new to the acronyms, HH? (I feel stupid..lol)

 

[Smokinyoda]

Sorry, new to the acronyms, HH? (I feel stupid..lol)

Hydraulic Head

 

[Broke Down]

I have had idle problems as well. I finally found the issue today when I pulled the ip off...... Water in the HH.
It was only in one injection line.

That could be a possibility as well, the truck sat up for a few years only being cranked every three months.

 

[doghead]

Do you have fresh fuel filters(all 3)?

 

[Broke Down]

Now that I don't, but they looked clean when we changed the fuel.

 

[Broke Down]

Even though the filters seem clean and there is no trash pouring out of them should I still change them? I'm not aware of how touchy they are with filters.

 

[doghead]

I would replace the filters and the gaskets, to eliminate those as possible cause for poor idle. It's basic maintenance, not time or money wasted.

Is your in-tank pump operational? Have you checked the pressure at the secondary filters?

 

[Chevyman_15237]

I would do a once over and check to make sure all fuel lines are tight... could be sucking in air somewhere.... that might explain it

 

[Broke Down]

Thanks, I think that might be some good ideas, looks like I get to have some fun this week...haha.

 

[Broke Down]

Oh, I can hear the pump in the tank running when I turn the battery switch on. I have not checked the fuel pressure.

 

[doghead]

On top of the secondary filter housings, there is either an petcock or a plug. Check for pressure there. About 6 psi with the engine off and in-tank pump running.

If you simply open the petcock, it should be "guessable" that it's OK, if it shoots up wards some.

 

[salvorone@aol.com]

doghead has it right , filters are cheep for the peace of mind ,

 

[Broke Down]

Okay, I'm feeling a little more confident now knowing there is more than the governor and leaks. I'll have to start at the tank and work to the injectors. Thanks guys for the responses, I know how redundant threads are, I'm just going crazy and feel overwhelmed because this engine is new to me.

 

[cvh20]

I had a similiar issue with idle dropping too low. Turned out to be previous operator had changed the length of the rod that connects to the gas pedal and it was too long (and binding below the pedal). It was beyond just adjusting with the screw adjuster so it took me a while to figure out that was the problem. Looking back, mine would idle just fine if I pulled out the throttle cable 3/4 inch, so I should have known the problem was in the pedal linkage.

 

[Broke Down]

I doubt mine is the rod, it idles at 800rpm. If the truck starts jumping in rpm I can lightly place my foot on the throttle and let off which will make the engine plane out a little. But if I bump the throttle it starts over up and down in the rpm.

 

[ratat98]

Have you driven it fairly far lately? Mine was having idle problems also, but I was only driving it 6-7 miles a day.. I took it on a 40 mile trip and its ran fine ever since! Sometimes they just need the cobwebs burnt out of them!