Rig in sig...
Scenerio....just replaced t-stat,tbelt,installed new rad. and back flushed heater core.
Been about 17 degrees outside for the last week.
On start up after setting over night,(or setting for a length of time)engine idles at 1300rpm's and as if it's on 3 cyl's. Idle is rough. If I throttle it steadily and hold it at 1700rpms,rough idle clears up and stays cleared. After approx 10-15 of warm up (engine purrs at 1000rpms). Once it's warmed up,engine runs like a champ...as much as a 3.0 can run
I've searched many,many threads on rough idle on start ups and didnt really see any solutions or similar scenarios. Within one thread,someone had mentioned if the cooling system has an air pocket,it could cause it to run rough at idle,due to a sensor not reading temp. properly. Is this true?
I'm almost positive I have an air pocket,because when it's at 1000rpm idle and I throttle it up,I can hear coolant surging into the heater core. Which could also explain why I am not getting inner cab heat at idle.
~ Could an air pocket in cooling system cause rough idle on cold start up?
~How do I get rid of the air pocket?
I've added small amounts of coolant over the last several days,the adding is getting less...at least it appears that way. No visible exterier leaks anywhere.
Head gaskets were done twice. Once on the recall by PO,not sure of milage.
I had it done at about 165k and yes,used new head bolts bought at stealership.
Pic is inside oil cap...it's looked like this for about the last 2yrs.

Temp gauge at 4 minutes of 1000 smooth idle after clearing rough idle.

10 minutes idle,gauge will hold here.

 

I think I read somewhere about pariking on a hill (nose up) and blasting the heat for a little bit... I think it was in one of the 'idle surging' threads...

 

Thanks quiggs12...searching forums threads now. Uphill makes sense. Think I'm gonna get her up on the ramps and see if that helps.

 

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