First engine issue? (rough idle)

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

Ahhh... ok... that's reasonably normal to me then. If it gets worse, or starts stalling, I'd be concerned. If you're going in to the dealer anyway, you might want to bring it up.

I wasn't planning on going to the dealer for any other reason other than this.

However, I am thinking along your line. If it STALLS when I first start up, then I'll take it to the dealer. This seems to only be occuring during cold weather. Perhaps the ECU is learing--I really don't know.

Also, I noticed it idling rough at startup (but not at the 400 or 500 rpm mark) a few times weeks prior. If I goosed the gas, it seemed to find a nice idle. Same thing happened a few days ago. It did the chug (first time) and I, on instinct, goosed the gas. Took care of the problem. The past two times, I left it alone to see what it'd do. Seems like the ECU and I thought alike--give it some gas, and then it idles fine.

I'll give it the rest of this week. If the problem continues, then take it in on Satuday, when I have some time. Perhaps it'll calibrate itself. Only things that've changed are the oil-change about 2 weeks ago, and the weather.

Also..I switched from 91 octane to 94 octane. Only a few cents price difference here, so I figured what the hell. Started doing that w/ in last two weeks. I doubt that's an issue, but worth mentioning.

[K-Train04RL]

kinda waste of money tho eventually those cents add up ... 91 seems to run fine w/ everyone and sometimes when im short on cash and only going for a long drive home from school ill put 87 ... since i dont plan on doing ne spirited driving it works fine.

[pclear9061]

im thinking that the ecu is in shock b/c of the weather difference b/c of how the last know information that is in there before shutdown is SO different on the start-up.

another thing say you start in the morning and it does that, then you go to the store and what not and get back in say xx amount of time, ........... does it still do it then?

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by pclear9061

im thinking that the ecu is in shock b/c of the weather difference b/c of how the last know information that is in there before shutdown is SO different on the start-up.

another thing say you start in the morning and it does that, then you go to the store and what not and get back in say xx amount of time, ........... does it still do it then?

Nope. Seems to be if it sits for more than 4-5 hours. If I get the chug, drive, park...wait a few hours...go again, it's fine. But if it's in the morning before work (hence car has sat for more than 12 hours some times), or in the lot after work (9 hours), it does it. Otherwise, fine.

[pclear9061]

its alright then b/c mine does that sometimes too. its been a little since its done it .......... have you got the latest flash?

[Horvat26]

I only had that happen once in my 21K miles, after that nothing. But yes, it did happen after it sat for 4+hours. Use a hair dryer and slowly pull off the decal. Then use a Mother's clay bar to get the remaining stickered residue off the paint. Windex will work fine, but depending on how caked on the sticker is, if you do use the windex, you'll have to rub the hell out of it. Since your car is blue, you may have slight swirl marks depending on the material of cloth you use. The clay bar will take it off in a couple light rubs, and leave it looking nice. Apply wax right after though because this removes EVERYTHING off and leaves the paint bare to accept a full wax job.

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by pclear9061

its alright then b/c mine does that sometimes too. its been a little since its done it .......... have you got the latest flash?

Mine's an '04 (don't know production date) that I bought used in August with 7,500 mi. Hasn't been to the shop for any engine work (or anything) other than oil change. I assume it wasn't flashed then, though they might have w/ the previous owner.

How to tell? Call up the dealer (or the one they got the RL from) and ask for service history?

Also, I was going to ask about that, or search first. Does this flash correct little issues like this? Any mpg increase? Anything on power band?

[pclear9061]

call up the dealer and ask them what campains need to be done and they should be able to tell you right then and there what needs to. i just asked them to do it anyway to make sure and they did. i forget what it was but there was something that was making it fun funny and i if i remember correctly it was the idleing funny, but i cant remember but you will feel it run better.

[Bitterman]

I am having the same trouble out of mine. I'm taking my 2004 RL in for an oil change in about 250 miles and i'll ask them about the cold morning chug. Mine is worse when its damp outside and cold. If its just cold, it chugs, but not as bad. I have had all the campains done to mine and its still chugging. I've had the engine idle problem before, but the first campain I had done reflashed the computer and it took care of it.

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by Bitterman

I am having the same trouble out of mine. I'm taking my 2004 RL in for an oil change in about 250 miles and i'll ask them about the cold morning chug. Mine is worse when its damp outside and cold. If its just cold, it chugs, but not as bad. I have had all the campains done to mine and its still chugging. I've had the engine idle problem before, but the first campain I had done reflashed the computer and it took care of it.

We might be narrowing it down. This only started (the hard chugging, almost stalling but not quite stalling) within the last 5 to 7 days. And it's been OVERLY wet, damp, rainy, and cold. My intake is stock, though. No pos. issues with a CAI.

Perhaps it's the combination of high humidity and low temps? Seems like the former shouldn't be an issue, but what do I know. Yet it's odd. Both of us experiencing trouble when it's both cold and damp.

It's actually stopped raining (for the first time in days) here today. Still cold. So I'll see how it starts in about 3.5 hours.

--Jon