Hi,

Looks like all my documentation say to use the idle adjustment scew for idle speed, but none tell you where it is! I've found the screw that allowed me to adjust the butterfly valve to spec, now I'm stuck at about 200 rpm over idle. Can you point me in the right direction please? Its a 1985 XJ6 4.2L.

Thanks,
John

Submitted by johnkenny@avaya.com on Tue, 12/21/2004 - 16:37

I did notice the idle change a few times, but it always goes back to the new setting after a bit. I'll look up the brand name of the allen wrenches I'm using. Bet it is just that this brand uses a metal mix/alloy that can bend easier than the one you ran into. I think I bought them in Lowes recently. Take a look after the holidays, I should have it posted by then. I don't have web access in my new house yet.

John

Submitted by jam@ispwest.com on Mon, 12/20/2004 - 18:37

thanks for this info about bending the Allen wrench to 45 degrees and filing the end; I had tried it before but only achieved braking the wrench in two. I've been looking for all sorts of tools or to invent one that fits the nearly impossible location of that screw. Nothing seems to work, too many hoses, clamps and other parts in the way of any movement.

My idea would be a totally flexible-bendable-contortionable extension with a long-enough 7/32 Allen tip at 45 or more degrees at one end that could be slowly moved from the other end without getting my hands in there and getting all cut and bruised.

Did you notice that after you achieve the desired idling, you drive the car, shut it off, start it again, and the idling has changed again?

been there done that. It's a long process.

Submitted by johnkenny@avaya.com on Mon, 12/20/2004 - 14:11

Idle speed adjustment: It turns out to be a 7/32 key on my 1985 xj6. Follow the recomendation of bending your allen key to 45 degress. I just clamped the short end in a vice and hit the long end with a hammer about 8 times. Found it much easier to work with if you then take the end that will go into the recessed screw and where the 8 faces of the allen key meet the flat bottom - run that corner over a metal file a few dimes, just barely rounding it off. This allows the allen key to be self centering and you will find it much easier to insert.

John