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!

 

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.

 

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

 

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