Changed the valve cover, now idling problems?

[byebye_sti]

I changed the valve cover last night and I put everything back together exactly the way it was.

This morning when I started the car, it seemed to idle a little weird. It was idling pretty low, near 650rpm. I also noticed that when I stopped at stop signs, etc. the oil (pressure?) gauge would drop below the line almost about halfway from the bottom to the line. Now that I noticed that I can't remember if it's suppose to stay at the line or not.

I checked the oil and it was a bit low, so I added some in. That didn't make much of a difference. When I got home I checked the valve cover bolts and they were a bit loose, so I tightened those up and that made a bit of a difference with the idle. But the gauge still reads low...

What is the problem?

 

[DJYoshaBYD]

you got low oil.. There is nothing that you could have done to make it have low oil pressure.. Did you take out the cams for some odd reason?

What did it read before you changed the valve cover, because there is literally nothing that would make that drop in pressure happen from just the valve cover..

 

[byebye_sti]

I added the oil, maybe I will notice the changes soon?

I didn't nothing else, but take off the valve cover and then put it back on. I didn't touch the cams.

 

[Simpleman1]

My car always been below the normal range at idle (warm), when the engine revs pass 1,200 RPM it goes up to "normal pressure range". Did you hook up your vacuum hoses back to IM and BOV? Might not make any difference but worth to ask.

 

[byebye_sti]

I hooked the sender back up (on the back of the cover) and that was it. (as in the only thing I had to plug in.)

 

[DJYoshaBYD]

well.. there you go.. haha..

You are now officially a mechanic...

 

[byebye_sti]

It's not fixed. I edited the post.

 

[Twistaye]

My oil pressure gauge never stays in the line at idle, it always goes up when driving as Simpleman1 stated, the car has no issues with driving, and your oil pressure goes up to normal while driving in the upper RPMs? Your oil level is correct? I don't think you have anything to worry about, however with the lowering of your RPMs by changing the valve cover, maybe you knocked a vacuum hose loose somewhere? Might want to look all over in that area to make sure you didnt knock something loose Water/soap + spray bottle works really well, just a suggestion.

 

[byebye_sti]

My oil pressure gauge never stays in the line at idle, it always goes up when driving as Simpleman1 stated, the car has no issues with driving, and your oil pressure goes up to normal while driving in the upper RPMs? Your oil level is correct? I don't think you have anything to worry about, however with the lowering of your RPMs by changing the valve cover, maybe you knocked a vacuum hose loose somewhere? Might want to look all over in that area to make sure you didnt knock something loose Water/soap + spray bottle works really well, just a suggestion.

Oh okay, I just never noticed if it went up and down before cause there wasn't any idling problems. When I'm driving around the gauge goes up to normal and then when I come to a stop it will go down again.

I will check for the vacuum hoses, but I doubt I knocked anything off, I was very careful when I was doing this. I've done it a million times, I don't think I messed up. I'll check though. Thanks!

 

[Spyder4g64]

Most def a vacuum problem. Nothing else can happen from just removing the VC.

 

[byebye_sti]

I'll make sure I check. I'm not sure which line it would be though.

 

[Twistaye]

Unfortunately I'm in germany and my car is in the states, I'd go outside and take some pictures of some possible culprits, but I'm sure you can handle it! Hopefully something that simple will be your problem, but maybe you somehow made your ISC come out of adjustment (which I really doubt). I honestly think it would be a vacuum leak somewhere, hope it helps, alright midnight here in Germany, going to bed. good luck bro

If low idle is your only problem and there are no vacuum leaks, maybe adjusting the BISS will help? Just a suggestion, but definately dont want to hide an underlying problem if one exists!

 

[byebye_sti]

Thanks for your help man!

 

[welfle18]

About your oil pressure that runs off the crankshaft sprocket which is connected to the timing belt that turns the gears in the oil pump assembly so if your idle is a little bit low your oil pressure is going to be lower. That is why when you are cruising your oil pressure is above what you call the normal line. Has nothing at all to do with a valve cover. I would check for vacuum leaks like stated above.

 

[byebye_sti]

The idle problem ending up being a sliced hose going from the back of the valve cover to the intake plenum.

Now the car idles perfectly at 750 rpms.

This was told to me by the new owner of the car.