Idle very low when stop, then recovers
 

Hello, I have a 2000 protege1.6L auto with about 140 000 Km on it. Recently, I changed my spark plugs and air filter. I gapped the plugs at .041 (manual says between .040-.043) Ever since then I noticed that my idle speedgets really low, to the point of almost stalling, whenever Istop.After a few secondsthe engine recovers and idles consistently at300 rpm.Since I didn't have this problem before I changed the spark plugs, I'm thinking the gap might not be correct.Does this sound right?Is spark plug gapping really that sensitive?

Any insight would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

RE: Idle very low when stop, then recovers
 

The gap is not usualy THAT much sensitive. I would take a look at the EGR valve, there is a post here on how to locate, disassembleand clean it. I don't know if it's the same as on the 2002's, but my EGR needs a good cleaning every 50000km.

RE: Idle very low when stop, then recovers
 

Thanks for the info. I'll have a look.

RE: Idle very low when stop, then recovers
 

i have a 02 p5 2.0l and i have had that problem too.....it usually won't happen if i run the engine cleaner thoigh sorta regularly and also i have noticed it with certain gas stations.....i've had a friend say that was happening to him when his oxygen sensor went out

Brian