What are the causes of engine stalling at idle?
2 Answers
Engine stalling at idle can be caused by the following reasons and solutions: Causes of engine stalling at idle: Severe carbon buildup in the engine; Dirty throttle body or carbon deposits in the fuel injectors; Faulty spark plugs, high-voltage wires, or ignition coils leading to poor ignition system performance; Unstable oil pressure, insufficient fuel supply pressure from the fuel pump, or incorrect readings from the intake pressure sensor; Clogged fuel lines causing insufficient fuel supply; Aging engine components. Solutions for engine stalling at idle: Regularly clean the throttle body; Periodically clean the fuel injectors to prevent carbon buildup; Replace spark plugs; Use gasoline from reputable gas stations. Engine stalling at idle refers to the situation where the engine starts and runs well from low to high speeds, but stalls immediately when the accelerator pedal is released or becomes unstable and then stalls.
Over the years of repairing cars, I've encountered many cases of engine stalling at idle. One of the main causes is a dirty throttle body. When the engine runs for a while, dust and sludge clog the intake passage, resulting in insufficient air flow and an imbalanced air-fuel mixture, which easily leads to stalling. This is common in vehicles frequently driven in congested urban areas or used mainly for short trips, often exhibiting unstable idle RPM. The solution is regular throttle body cleaning – just spray it with a dedicated cleaner, and check it every 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers. Also, inspect the air filter for blockages; if the filter is clogged with dust, it can worsen the problem. Don't underestimate this dirt – it can increase fuel consumption and emit more pollutants. Other issues like a faulty idle control valve or vacuum line leaks can also cause similar problems, but cleaning the throttle body is often effective.
