High idling

How high does the idle go? I would check the short hose that goes from the intake manifold to valve cover for collapsing or holes. I would also get a can of carburetor spray let the car idle and spray around the hoses and where the intake manifold meets the head especially around the power steering pump area. If the rpm's go up down or the engine stumbles or shuts off you have a leak there. Also, do you have any codes?Let me know.

it varies, over 3,000! took it to a car expert for the leaks and got nothing. Recently it has not been idling high in park or neutral like it did, but now I have to baby it on start up and it stills takes off when in gear. It gets past second by itself. Codes?

Yes code's. If you go to a auto part's store like AutoZone they will scan your car for trouble code's post what the code number's are. They are code's that the computer sets to guide to repairing the car's. Most common reason for that high of idle is a vacuum leak or a stuck idle air control valve. Most common is a vacuum leak. With your engine look at the hose that goes from your intake manifold to your PCV for hole's or collapsing. Really common for that to happen on your car. Also, the intake gasket's leak all the time on the number one or two cylinder right where the intake gasket meet's the head. You can even see the gasket all wrinkled up the number one cylinder is by the power steering pump.

Hi, I have the same problem. I changed the PCV, EGR, ECT, IAC, and spark plugs. But I still have a high Idle. It idles around 3,000 rpm's. Checked for vacuum leaks, did not see any. Help!

You have the same make, model, year etc?

Sorry about that. It is 2001 Saturn sc1.

Cover the throttle body with a flat piece of card board if the engine still idles real high and does not shut off you have a vacuum leak.

Please forgive my ignorance, will I remove the hose that is connected to the air filter and cover the throttle body?

Yes, remove the air filter snorkel tube then cover the throttle body opening.

Thanks, I greatly appreciate your help. I will try tomorrow, and give an update.

You are welcome keep me posted.

Well, the car did not shut off and the idle dropped a little but still was high. So, vacuum leak it is. However, I cannot seem to find the vacuum leak. Any suggestions?

Have you checked the the PCV hose from the intake manifold to the PCV for holes clasping etc? That is the most common place on that car for vacuum leaks? You could also put the intake tube back on and get some carburetor spray and let it idle and spray the carburetor spray around looking for a change in rpm's. It should not be hard to find idling that high.

I have a 1997 Saturn SL1 very high idle. It will go by itself over second year idles at about 3,000 rpm's. I am wondering what should I do before going and just buying the air intake valve? Please help.

Try the valve first and if that does not fix it I have seen the PCM cause this issue. Here are two guides and diagrams below to help you get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

Here is the locations for your car (below). Please run down these guides and diagrams and report back

Cheers, Ken

I would suspect the short vacuum line from the PCV to the intake manifold they collapse and also get weak and get holes in them. It is really common on those cars.