MX-3.com

hey all,
I've two things to address, but separate posts didn't seem necessary.
I know I've a lot of maintenance to do to this engine, and have researched it: cleaning the throttle body, cleaning and adjusting sensors, etc. and plan to do it all soon, after I finish the suspension and front end work.

(1) My gs has a seriously low idle, and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this.

I'll describe:
When warm, it's idle barely registers on the tachometer.
It idles smoothly about 95% of the time, but will occasionally stall if I mishandle clutch and gas (so, a little operator error on an extra sensitive machine). Basically, it doesn't stall out on it's own.
Everything electric works fine, but I don't push it either (no loud stereo at idle for very long).
It's responsive across the rpm range, able to cruise 25mph in 5th gear with ease, and pull from a dead stop in 2nd (though not real swiftly).

I find this combination kinda odd... Anyone else experience this?

(2) My engine has a throttle body spacer on it. I've seen pics of other K8's, but can never see clearly if they have the same spacer. The KLDE I have awaiting rebuild, from a 93 MX6, doesn't have one, so it also seems odd...

I think it worth a try to just go the the idle screw and loosen it a bit for higher idle.

Assume:
Timing is good
TB is clean
Idle Air Controller is good and clean
Your throttle position sensor is set - if not search for TPS and do it right with a multimeter and feeler gauge

Re: Spacer - guessing spacer is the stock piece I've seen on K8 or aftermarket. If K8 piece remove it because it is restrictive. If aftermarket then good for you - you'll get a little benefit of cooler TB.

my k8 came with a spacer. i dont think its that critical.

Timing seems to be fine. I've never tested it, never questioned it.
IAC, TPS, and TB all likely need a good cleaning, evidently, it's long overdue, lol

I just don't fully understand how it can manage such a low idle...

Thanks for the info on the spacer!
I bet this one is stock, since it is also on other K8's. Good to know.
Restrictive if stock, eh? That's not cool.
I've been considering making a phenolic spacer, but with that piece there, I wasn't really sure if that'd be beneficial. Any thoughts?