Hi, I am having the surging/hunting idle problem with a 1994 pickup with a 22re. Here are some symptoms that may or may not be related.

- losing coolant slowly (but was losing it more quickly this winter), the surging idle started around the same time as this
- sometimes burning smell from coolant, but haven't smelled recently
- when brake pedal is depressed, problem is worse
- after continued driving, problem goes away

I have read some posts on this, but if you have any ideas about my specific situation with above symptoms, let me know where to start.

Thanks in advance for your responses!
Tom

 

It sounds like you've got air pockets in your cooling system, which may be due to your losing coolant, as you have said. The surging/hunting idle may be due to the thermostat sending off mixed messages because of the aforementioned air in the system.

I would first find out why you are losing coolant.

 

Thanks, I will look into it. I have a friend who is an experienced 22re mechanic coming out this weekend, I will have him look at it. Later,
Tom