Idle problem

[Mud Thrasher]

Ok, on my 86 wag it idles fine in park but when i put it in gear the rpm's drop to almost nothing. It's almost to the point of dieing out. Any suggestions?

[seabell]

What tranny do you have?
What is the idle speed in park?

Charlie
Trinidad W.I.
79 Chief 360/TH400/QT/4.09 44's, 31X12 Cooper LTs
79 Chief Parts donor

[gsmikie]

change trans fluid and filter

[wrinkledmeat]

Transmission fluid and filter change will cure this? I'm a total guppy with these things but I never considered that this could be my problem. Any input will be apprciated!

[Mud Thrasher]

It's the 727 in it with the NP228 behind it. I'm lost here too how would changing the tranny fluid affect the engine rpm's when in gear? I just bought it and while going thru checking the vacuum hoses I found the dist. vacuum adv. hose hooked up to the manifold vacuum. I moved it and checked everything else and it still does the same. I havent had the time to change the plugs or wires or do any kind of a tune-up other then checking the timing.

[FSJ Thing]

You know how tranny fluid gets all sticky and looks like strawberry jelly when it gets old? If you're tranny fluid is in this condition it puts too much resistance on your engine for idle RPMs and so you're engine dies. Also if your tranny fluid is all thick and guewy, then you can bet that the filter is gummed up too, so you'll have to change that as well. I'd recommend taking it to a lube shop and have them do it plus a flush, not that you can't do it you're self, but they're usually resonably priced compared to how much you'd spend on flushing chemicals, new fluid and a new filter and disposal fees, and they save you the head aches.

[seabell]

Try reducing your idle speed if possible. The 727 pump is disengaged in Park. Does your Chief drive OK otherwise? Does it move if you put it in Drive and keep your foot off the brake and throttle? If so, then your idle is too high. What about Neutral? Does RPM still drop compared to Park?

[Bob Barry]

RPM will always drop when the transmission is engaged in "D". You're supposed to set the idle speed to the specified setting (~600rpm) with the transmission in "D"; if you set it to 600rpm with the transmission in Park, then your idle is simply too low.

[Mud Thrasher]

yeah i got that Bob although i dont have an rpm gauge to check my rpms. I know in neutral from just using my ear it might be around 600 to 800 rpms. Drop it in gear and it goes to somewhere around 300 to400 rpms. Considering the tranny leaks like a siv i dont know if it would be gummed up or not.

[Bob Barry]

Set it so that it sounds like 600-800rpm in gear, not in neutral. I doubt the tranny is your problem. Even with a rebuilt transmission and fresh fluid, my engine sees about a 300rpm drop going from Park to Drive.