E30 325i High Idle/Self Accelerating

[Vinu Chandrakumar 7]

Hey guys,

So I recently got my head reconditioned and got my car back, drove it for around 30 minutes and all of sudden my car stated to idle a lot higher and would accelerate while in drive due to the higher revs. This would happen off and on. Got the car scanned and needed to replace the coolant temp sensor. This has not fixed it. There seems to be no air leaks. If you guys could help me out or have an idea what it could be, would be much appreciated, before i take it back to my mechanic.

Also have a video here of the car playing up:

Cheers.

[e30ftw 396]

Almost definitely an air leak. Take it back to your mechanic if he was the one who did the full job. Shouldn't be your issue.

[Allanw 1052]

Forgot the idle speed...

Why is the temp gauge so high?

If it just had the head done, was the CAUSE of the problem fixed? That gauge should not be that high.

Idle may be a jammed idle control valve too - pretty common fault.

[BMTHUG 943]

could be as simple as a sticky throttle cable, check the cable as well as the Idle control valve,

[Vinu Chandrakumar 7]

Forgot the idle speed...

Why is the temp gauge so high?

If it just had the head done, was the CAUSE of the problem fixed? That gauge should not be that high.

Idle may be a jammed idle control valve too - pretty common fault.

Yea i need to get a new radiator...

Ill check the ICV

Thanks Allan

[Vinu Chandrakumar 7]

could be as simple as a sticky throttle cable, check the cable as well as the Idle control valve,

Yea checked the throttle cable, everything seems to be fine there but i will have a look at the icv

[Allanw 1052]

Yea i need to get a new radiator...

Might pay to do that, before it blows the headgasket again ;-)

[*Glenn* 854]

Kick down cable if it's auto ?

TPI switch not returning to idle ?

[Andre3000 55]

Can help you out with a good used radiator if needed out of a car thats running cold af.

That high pulsating idle indicates additional unmetered air be it crankcase vent, external air leak or stuck idle valve etc.

Get a can of brake clean and spray it around the intake manifold to check for air leaks, if the revs spike you've got an external leak.