s14 idle please help.

[Fbomb19]

hello, Let me start off by saying that the problem isnt always there. It comes and goes. Somtimes more than others. Ill start it up, and its have an unsteady idle then itll bounce into place and stay. While its steady at 750 it might jump around a bit more and go back forth every now and then. When the idle isnt very steady the motor makes some ticking kinda sounds and it shakes alot. And then somtimes it idles fine. and it still shakes but idle stays firm. But the same ticking noise when it shakes........ and then while driving it, it dirves fine. Sometimes i stay at a certain rpm and u can feel a little bit of back pressure every now and then.

I dont know what else to replace. Ive already replaced the spark plugs,wires,cap and rotor, fuel filter... Ive just about done everything i think it can be. Im trying to solve this problem b4 im on the side of the road. Any suggestions will be helpful, thanks.

[dlydrvn240]

Do you still have your emissions or were they removed? Also is the ticking only there when its idling rough or can you hear it at all times? Where does it appear to be coming from when it does tick? Is this the original motor or a swap? Have you pulled the cover to check and see if the upper timing chain guard has been removed? Have you checked all vacuum lines to make sure you have no leaks/cracks/etc?

Also I am assuming no codes are being thrown? Have you taken it to Advance/AutoZone/etc to have them check just to be sure?

[liquid_cool]

this could be a few things....a vacume leak...or an oiling issue...do you have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge?...if you do...look at your oil pressure when this happens and get back to us...could allso be altinator related..

[Fbomb19]

Yes i still have emmisions, The ticking is only when it idles or shakes. its not always there, Its deff not a knock. Original motor 157k miles. I have never taken the cover off cuz i dont feel like buying new gaskets if i dont need em. I have checked all the vacuum lines and i dont think there is any leak any where. Im not 100% sure where the tick is coming from, but its hard to tell. It makes the noise and shakes. I have tried taking the car to get it checked out but then the car doesnt do the damm thing when im there. And explaining this isnt so easy.

And about the codes... How does that work? Do i just go inside and and ask them to check my codes? and when he gives me the codes what do i do with them? or does he check them and tell me the issues? ive never done this ... fill me in.

[Patarach]

Check your first o2 sensor. I dont know what the exact procedure is for the s14 though. For the s13 its just something like d/c it and see if it runs better haha it will never seem that easy with odb2.

Does it have a lack of power?

[coolbone28]

Alot of unsstable idle issues, especially on a cold start, usually come from a dirty IACV (idle air control valve). You can search on here how to clean it. Its pretty simple. As far as checking codes, you will usually have a check engine light on. Check the fsm for procedure and code listings. All this will be done by turning a little knob on the ECU itself. It is used to retreive codes, as well as put the car in diagnostic mode. This is where you can check other components like the o2 sensor. Usually a place like autozone will check your codes for free.