For the WBX engine the only thing I worry about is the thickness of the
20W50 oil... so go easy with the gas pedal at cold startup... I just blip
the throttle to keep it running. The ML430 uses 5W40 synthetic oil.

On Tue, Aug 10, 2021 at 8:02 AM Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> Dan:
>
> That's the manner in which most of our diesels operate.
>
>
> Dan N wrote on 2021.08.10 11:59:
>
> The idea of giving a little gas when you start a cold WBX engine (without
> dle controller) was from my observations on my ML430 SUV. When I start it
> cold the idle speeds up to about 1500 rpm for a couple seconds then going
> down gradually to 1200, 1000, 800 and and stops at 550 rpm all in a lapse
> of about 30 to 45 seconds. I asked my mechanic about it and he said *"Mercedes
> has not used an idle control valve since around 1990. The idle is
> controlled by the throttle valve actuator and timing via a sensor... If you
> start your cold engine and it idles right away at 550 it will stall and die
> and something is wrong with the sensor.**"*
>
> dan
>
> On Tue, Aug 10, 2021 at 4:06 AM Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>
>> Jeff:
>>
>> My son and I did a test week in Fundy (~400km in total) with the ICV
>> disconnected.  Occasionally, the WBX stalls at idle - mostly when cold,
>> so as Dan said, put your foot in it a little for a minute and all is
>> well.  The only other time it stalls is when there is a load on the
>> alternator (running lights on) or the helm is hard over (power steering
>> pump loaded) at idle ... it does not compensate (I presume the ICU is at
>> play ... or asleep ... here).
>>
>> Fuel consumption may be a little higher typical ... but there could be
>> other bits a play there.
>>
>> Since driving with the ICV unplugged seems to be tampering the wild
>> behaviour of the idle control unit, I am going to try waiting until I
>> put the Hyena into hibernation to send the ICU off for rebuild.
>>
>> Roy
>>
>> Jeff Palmer wrote on 2021.07.27 17:57:
>> > Hi Roy. I have had the same issue - surge then idle then surge - for a
>> couple of years now. When I drive and not moving it idles nicely at 900.
>> Maybe you can wait to send it out until you park it this winter? Assuming
>> you don’t drive it right now. Maybe I’ll send mine with you - I’m in St
>> Andrew’s NB for holiday. (No van).
>> > Jeff
>> >
>> > Sent from my iPhone
>> >
>> >> On Jul 27, 2021, at 2:57 PM, Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Stuart:
>> >>
>> >> That's interesting.  Though being dead-in-the-water for a couple of
>> >> weeks or more (I am in Canada) is discouraging.
>> >>
>> >> Thank-you,
>> >>
>> >> Roy
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> stuartmacm@gmail.com wrote on 2021.07.27 14:40:
>> >>> Idle control unit.  Have it rebuilt:
>> https://modulemaster.com/products/vw-volkswagen-vanagon-1986-1991-idle-controller-rebuild
>> After 30+ years in a wet environment they all fail.
>> >>>
>> >>> Stuart
>> >>>
>> >>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
>> Roy Nicholl
>> >>> Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2021 10:25 AM
>> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> >>> Subject: Idle gremlins still at play
>> >>>
>> >>> Good day all,
>> >>>
>> >>> The Hyena (88 Westy WBX)   started racing at idle (from 1100 climbing
>> to
>> >>> 2500 last summer).   If you were at the back of the van and pushed
>> the throttle hard closed - sometimes wiggling it - the van would fall back
>> into an idle.     With the engine shutdown, you had to do the same to hear
>> the click of the TPS.
>> >>>
>> >>> This morning, I replaced the throttle body with a new GoWesty unit.
>> Things were fine for the first test run.   After lunch, I restarted the van
>> and it began surging at idle, but differently than before.   The WBX will
>> surge to 2200 - 2500 RPM, but after 1-2 seconds falls back to idle.   Rinse
>> and repeat.
>> >>>
>> >>> I unplugged the 12v from the idle control valve and the engine
>> remained at idle.     I removed the idle control valve; cleaned it with
>> carb cleaner and tested it with 12v leads (valve appears to move).   I
>> re-installed the valve and the same thing happens.
>> >>>
>> >>> So, is it possible the spring is too weak and the valve is bad ... or
>> is my problem likely to be elsewhere (i.e. idle control unit) and more
>> expensive?
>> >>>
>> >>> What's the impact of running with the power to the idle control valve
>> disconnected while I await a new one?
>> >>>
>> >>> Roy
>> >>>
>>
>
>