98 V70 NA idle RPM

Post by **98v70dad** » 16 Mar 2016, 18:24

What is the correct idle EPM for this car? Mine idles at 840 RPM. Its OK and pretty smooth but I doubt its right where it should be. Is there and easy way to tweak it a bit that doesn't include loosening the cam sprockets and rotating them a bit?

Post by **dosbricks** » 16 Mar 2016, 20:08

98v70dad wrote:What is the correct idle EPM for this car? Mine idles at 840 RPM. Its OK and pretty smooth but I doubt its right where it should be. Is there and easy way to tweak it a bit that doesn't include loosening the cam sprockets and rotating them a bit?

Around 900 rpm is about right to handle the A/C load as it cycles. On a '98 NA there is actually an idle set screw (stop) that is sealed with some white paint to prevent it from being adjusted---federal emissions law, yada yada. You can adjust it there.

Post by **98v70dad** » 16 Mar 2016, 20:22

dosbricks wrote:
98v70dad wrote:What is the correct idle EPM for this car? Mine idles at 840 RPM. Its OK and pretty smooth but I doubt its right where it should be. Is there and easy way to tweak it a bit that doesn't include loosening the cam sprockets and rotating them a bit?
Around 900 rpm is about right to handle the A/C load as it cycles. On a '98 NA there is actually an idle set screw (stop) that is sealed with some white paint to prevent it from being adjusted---federal emissions law, yada yada. You can adjust it there.

Thanks. Roughly where is that set screw located? I have an ultra gage and it reads 840 rpm at idle with the ac on or off. The tachometer on the dash reads closer to 900. The ultra gage probably more accurately reflects what the car is actually doing, though.

The last few days I've been doing some minor stuff. I haven't been able to locate my p0455 problem, but I did find and fix a leak at the vacuum tree and this evening I put a healthy shot of MAF cleaner on the MAF. The leak repair evened out the idle a noticeable amount and the MAF cleaner seems to have given me a 5 HP boost.

I did do a smoke test a few weeks ago but it didn't reveal anything that helped with p0455.

Post by **dosbricks** » 16 Mar 2016, 21:14

Well, it's been 18 yrs. since I adjusted it up a bit to eliminate a vibration while idling with the car in gear. But look for the stop at the wheel which the throttle cable winds around.

I'm just going by the tach on the dash. If yours reads 900 and your ultra gauge says it's 840, but the car is happy and the A/C is not effecting the idle speed then it's probably fine the way it is.