Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 Petrol 2003 - Rough running on start up

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Thu 15 Aug 2013 20:24
Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 Petrol 2003 - Rough running on start up - franksboy

Hi, My car starts first time every time but for the first couple of minutes it struggles. I found if i stay put and push the throttle a couple of times the rev counter settles back to idle speed and then the car drives fine. Any ideas? Is this something to do with the automatic choke perhaps? Suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers

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Thu 15 Aug 2013 20:54
Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 Petrol 2003 - Rough running on start up - RT

Fuel injected cars don't have chokes, automatic or otherwise - what they do have is a stepper motor on the throttle to electronically control the idle speed, including higher idle during warm up.

Like many, the Vauxhall throttle body is prone to gumming up with oil from the crankcase breather, particularly on a high mileage version - take the intake pipework off the throttle body and clean it very carefully, wiping out all the excess oil - if it's carbonised you'll need to use carburettor cleaner but that may take several attempts.

At worst it could be the stepper motor failing but it's integral with the throttle body so not cheap - but try cleaning first!

Edited by RT on 15/08/2013 at 20:54

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Wed 21 Aug 2013 22:54
Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 Petrol 2003 - Rough running on start up - franksboy

Thanks for that. it's actually my sons car so i'll try the cleaning first chance i get and let you know. cheers

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Wed 21 Aug 2013 23:50
Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 Petrol 2003 - Rough running on start up - elekie&a/c doctor

Is the engine filled with the correct grade oil?

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