Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'92
Olds Cutlass Supreme, High Cold Idle
Q:
Im experiencing an extremely fast/high idle at cold start on my 92
Olds Cutlass Supreme International FWD with a 3.4L DOHC engine. I have been
informed that the car needs an intake gasket replacement. I am also experiencing
a loud whirring or whining noise when turning on the climate control. Noise
gets louder upon acceleration. Do you think the climate control noise is related
to the intake gasket needing replacement? Are you aware of any recalls by General
Motors for either the intake gasket replacement or climate control noise issues?......Marjorie
Bartelli
A:
The high idle problem youre describing is right in line for
a failed intake manifold gasket. The intake manifold gasket in your vehicles
engine has a silicone sealer that with age becomes stiff or hard in cold weather.
This allows for a sizable vacuum leak to form when the engine is cold. As the
engine warms up the seal becomes more pliable and will stop the vacuum leak,
returning the idle speed back to normal. The fix does require installation of
a new intake gasket. As for the affect that this gasket failure has on your
climate control? Correct the gasket problem and then cross the next bridge.
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