Engine idle climbs to 3000rpm+ when I put it in park!

[Gremlin]

Alright,

Another menacing and intermittent issue that no mechanics have been able to pinpoint or fix for me:

Sometimes, when I put my 98' taurus (3.0L) in park, the engine idle climbs to 3000+rpms until I kill the engine (turn car off). If I put it in Drive when this happens, you can imagine what results - can't be good for the tranny. Anyway, this happens more frequently when it's really hot outside and rarely during the winter. If it does happen during the winter, it's because I've accelerated really hard (this is a 98' Taurus Wagon here, so really hard is probably pretty normal compared to any other vehicle) at some point during my driving. A mechanic replaced the Idle Air Control Valve thinking this would fix the problem, but it has not...

Anyone have any knowledge as to what might be the problem? *I also get 13mpg consistently in Chicago.

[behlinla]

How bout checking the throttle body to make sure the throttle plate isn't sticking in the bore? It's probably all full of carbon deposits. You should also inspect your throttle cables and make sure they're not sticking or loose.

Cleaning the TB is only a 10 minute job, so I would try that first.

[scooter5]

I have seen the same problem continously on the forum. Appears most never figure any resolution. I am one of them. There are no codes that appear. Is this your case?

I cleaned my iac, idle air control, checked the voltage which was correct at iac. cleaned the throttled body just a tab, didn't need it. the throttle plate seats well after movement. I checked my linkage and look all over for vac leaks. Could find any or hear them.

One guy on forum said he didn't everything in the world. until he dropped it off a dealer. he said they fixed the problem. said it was the oil separator. appears the separator is what the pcv assemble so as it passes through the gromet of the valve cover.

I don't know what it entails for repair. appears separator is a hose of some sorts. I wrote quest.s for his response last week. no one responded. Thats where it stands.

[Breeves002]

Oil seperator I think requires the removal of the front bank head... So it's not an easy task!


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[japakar]

Ive got the same problem, idles up to 2000 in park.

Upon some investigation it seems its either throttle position sensor connections or something to do with the PCV. (possible oil seperator hose) Hope it helps. Now I've got to check my car, see if I can get that annoying thing fixed

[scooter5]

What would be a sufficient test to determine if the problem could be the oil seperator without removing the front bank?

[behlinla]

Originally Posted by scooter5

What would be a sufficient test to determine if the problem could be the oil seperator without removing the front bank?

If the oil separator is cracked or does not seal around the PCV valve, then you would have a vacuum leak. This would be reflected in the fuel trims (positive corrections).

However I believe the PCV valve should limit air flow enough to prevent a 3000 RPM idle in park, so I'm not completely convinced it's the separator without further evidence, such as a visual inspection of the separator showing the leak.

[sheila]

Oil separator is Duratec-only.

[scooter5]

well i have ohv, 12 valve, therefore can eliminate the oil separator. thanks for that information. that helped. so the saga continues. thanks again

[Breeves002]

Well you should be happy that isn't it.... That would be an expensive fix!

But we still don't know what the actual problem is...

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