thenext

I am going to throw a disclaimer up first: I know it is a D and I am fine with that. I don't have any expectations of making it an 8 second car.

95 DX Sedan-
The juicy stuff:
I put on a fresh head gasket in April. I also have a vacuum gauge hooked up so I can keep an eye on the engine as a learning tool(technician goin through school). Now, since the repair, everything has been running good and staying cool. The output isn't as "lively" as I remember it running last summer. My idle seems a little sloppy and the vacuum needle will intermittently bounce around 18-21 in. It isn't always when this happens, just sometimes. If I give it a little gas, the needle will stabilize. I have changed the plugs but never the wires or dist cap. The head was also surfaced leading me to think there may be some detonation due to the compression ratio bump. I had to adjust the idle speed by ear and feel since there isn't a tach on it. The manual says 10-12mm of free play on the throttle cable. I have taken off and cleaned my IAC valve replacing the o-ring that came with the headgasket set. Stock IM and TB are clean enough to eat off of. I have never changed my fuel filter. I am running without a cat since then as well.

So where to start:
New cap and wires?
Raise the octane?
Just a bad idle set?
Something else?

thenext

It would seem that I am having a rough idle and some minor performance problems from what I have posted.

Rtistik.

interested in knowing what turns out to be the cause, similar issue on my d15 but I still haven't cleaned my IACV or EGR, nor changed my spark plugs so I guess I should start there.

thenext

My main concern is the vacuum needle bouncing intermittently at idle when I am positive the motor is within spec. Less important, but still something I want to fix, it isn't as lively as I remember it being at WOT. It's kind of how I imagine an older person feels when they have to keep up with those "kids in their 20's."

Former User

My recommendation would be to do a full tune up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, ignition timing, fuel filter) and to clean and adjust the FITV (click link in my signature).

thenext

I didn't even think to check the FITV. I'll go ahead and get on that today and see if it makes any difference.

Former User

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