I feel like I have found the fountain of youth! Well... Maybe not. But I did discover an easy way to adjust the idle screw on the VE injection pump. Comment below if you are as excited as I am!
Whenever I do a governor spring on these, I grind out where the idle screw is on the FRONT side of the pump enough to be able to get the nut and a box end wrench on the nut (you never showed how you undo that locknut) To adjust it, I slide a piece of 3/16th or so fuel hose on the tail end of the screw and turn the hose.. I just leave it there, tighten the locknut, which is now easily accessible on the front side
I think I could bend a paper clip to do that, but my problem is loosening the locknut on mine, which is way in there and very tight. Yours didn't appear to have a locknut.
Which is the "power screw"? the one right on top, over the boost diaphram? or the one on the back? also called a "fuel screw?" Mine leaks and I also think I want to turn it down a bit, since I have plenty of power but would like to save fuel and reduce smoke. (of course fixing the leak would save fuel).
So if your truck has all the stock components there is a 10mm size jam nut in there to prevent the screw from in screwing . You can disconnect the two fuel lines and the top one with the fitting going into the motor you can angle the fuel line in the 5 o clock position towards the cab . You then get 10mm deep socked and a 3/8 ratchet in it to break it free then use your handy method to adjust then I just hand the nut in case I want to play w it later down the road
Thank you, Thank you. Needing turn down my idle speed and after staring at the VE IP for a little bit and realizing the screw I needed to adjust was in a crazy place I came in and found your site. Guess what, I was right and I even have that tool. Now I'm going to go get it adjusted. Again, Thank you.
Thanks for making the video, I watched several others you have made and enjoyed them. Your idle screw is missing the lock nut. Turning the idle screw with the pick is a great idea, however the real problem is getting the lock nut loosened and not necessarily turning the screw. furthermore, with your idle screw lock nut missing there is a potential of your screw moving while operating the truck. Thanks again, and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the comment Ed. In my experience breaking that lock nut free has not been and Issue (hence, why I didn't include it in this video). I had the lock nut off for over 4 years with no movement of the idle screw. I may still throw it back on there just in case though.
THANK YOU! I was looking at mine just yesterday trying to figure out how I could fix my high idle. I almost pulled out the dremel and cut away at the screw. Perfect timing on this video, I'll go to harbor freight tomorrow
this tip will come in handy as I just put a newly rebuilt pump on my old girl (Thanks Hungry Diesel) and I am sure there will be a need to adjust a few screws. (hahah you know what I mean). Thank you Tim!!! Another stellar vid.
Thanks again Tim great video I had to mess with my idle screw and remember you made a video about this HF pick now what crazy bent 10mm wrench do you have to loosen that nut on the idle screw I built one that works but is a bit of a pain to use ..Merry Christmas also
Awesome video! Does the idle need to be adjusted after a new fuel pin is installed as well? I’d also love it if you made a video about adjusting the star screw. Keep it up dude 👍🏻
IAppreciate the fast response on my comment I was not trying to be mean just pointing out a fact I do enjoy your videos though they are pretty informative
So mine had the locknut on it and I could loosen it with a 1/4 in drive 10mm with a u joint and long extension , with some difficulty . Mine did not have the hole in the screw . I could turn the screw a bit with my pokey tool and a bit with a medium length screw driver . Re tightening the lock nut with the socket was not as easy as loosening it was.
Somebody had messed with my pump before I bought my truck. This screw had damaged threads and I couldn't get it adjusted. I then realized that they had also tried to disconnect the fuel supply line and had crimped it to a point that it was restricting fuel. Long story short my pump had to come off. It was a good thing because I also found other issues that got resolved.
Dang that sucks! The hungry diesel has a lot of parts that you may need including the fuel supply line. Use my discount code and get 10% off as well 👉 decent1stgen
Might be a dumb question but, how do you adjust your idle if you don’t have a tac?😂 I put a fuel pin and governor spring in the truck and it’s got a high idle. Do I just guesstimate based off sound? Thank you
Honestly I guestimate based on the sound. If it's and auto and you put it into gear if it lurches it's too high and if it vibrates your mirrors it's too low
My truck has idled right at 900 rpm since I've owned it. I backed out my stop screw and ended up with a gap between the screw and the arm. Something else must be stopping it from coming down further. I was only able to get it down to 860 rpm. Any ideas?
I have a "lock nut" on my idea screw I have been loosening and tightening with a small chisel (yikes) and I see you do not have one. Is the nut not required/desired? Great tip, I will get the tool at HF.
Great suggestion, but you failed to mention the lock nut that my engine has. Yours probably did too at one time, but mine is so tight that I've not been able to adjust anything as of yet. How do you skip over the very first step? Is my engine the only one made with a lock nut on the adjusting screw? I'd appreciate any suggestions you have on the subject and I definitely appreciate your videos. I've learned quite a bit from watching them.
@@decentgarage Dang it! You must have a thousand videos on here! I can't find the one about that lock nut but I'll keep looking. So many good videos, I'll never get through them all. lol
@@mikeh7225 haha sorry about that. The video you are looking for is called "why does water leak into my cab" and the pic is me standing in front of my truck with an umbrella.
Your idle screw didn’t have a set nut on it, kinda like your fuel screw. Wish I had loosened the idle screw set nut when I had the top half of pump off during governor spring install!
With an automatic if it's too high it will jerk when you put it in gear and if it's too low it'll vibrate excessively. For a manual it's harder to do. Basically just have to compare it to another truck
I know you are busy but I went to adjust my idle and the screw comes all the way forward but loses connecton to the arm and the idle won't come down anymore, it's at like 950rpm. Thank you!
@@decentgarage well i got it to work by moving a tooth on the throttle positoin sendor. Now when I go to tighten it down it binds the linkage from moving freely. HMM
I know there’s a stop nut on the idle screw, did you omit the screw? Remind us... Is that stop nut easy to tighten and loosen or does it require a special tool? Great video. Thanks for sharing.,
Mine didn't have a stop nut but I have seen them with it. If that is the case it is very difficult actually adjust. Best option is use a hammer and flat head to get it loose and then just take it off completely
@@therestomaestro3556 it could but honestly the idle screw is more of a back up. The idle is also limited by the throttle rod. Some people pull the idle screw completely out and just adjust the idle by adjusting the throttle rod
@@decentgarage I appreciate your replies. Not sure if it’s crossed your mind but a video on adjusting the power screw, is it the same as idle?, past runaway and back to near runaway would be nice. Or just adjusting it to near runaway. Here’s why I’m suggesting it... One of my first gens has an upgraded turbo with the big lift and tires and noticed that it need more power to move it. I wanted to tinker with the “power screw” to give it more fuel but have not attempted due to the fear of a runaway and screwing up my engine. You do a great job explaining and would rather learn from you than all the teenagers on YT who don’t really explain and just want an adrenaline rush. Food for thought.
@@decentgarage I hear you on that lock washer. Hopefully we all learned that one now. As far as turning it I'm sure that's facing the engine. Thanks Tim.
as a mechanic for most of my life you become ever so lazy when you see engineering faux-pas like the idle screw location and the work to result ratio of this job...so instead I went to the other side of that same screw slipped a cut piece of fuel hose over the end of it that extended over the threads and gradually cut it down until idle was perfect...mind you this will only work for a truck with low idle and took only a minute to do.....good job on this method though
Non Inter cooled. It starts right up very rough then after a little while the idle picks up. And idles normal. However with the ac on it almost dies. Keep in mind autos don’t have a tach so no way to tel if rpm’s are at 750
I feel like I have found the fountain of youth! Well... Maybe not. But I did discover an easy way to adjust the idle screw on the VE injection pump. Comment below if you are as excited as I am!
Whenever I do a governor spring on these, I grind out where the idle screw is on the FRONT side of the pump enough to be able to get the nut and a box end wrench on the nut (you never showed how you undo that locknut)
To adjust it, I slide a piece of 3/16th or so fuel hose on the tail end of the screw and turn the hose.. I just leave it there, tighten the locknut, which is now easily accessible on the front side
Amazing! Now I can idle at 2,789 rpm!
@@a-dog8075 can do that with a brick on your gas pedal too
I think I could bend a paper clip to do that, but my problem is loosening the locknut on mine, which is way in there and very tight. Yours didn't appear to have a locknut.
Which is the "power screw"? the one right on top, over the boost diaphram? or the one on the back? also called a "fuel screw?" Mine leaks and I also think I want to turn it down a bit, since I have plenty of power but would like to save fuel and reduce smoke. (of course fixing the leak would save fuel).
So if your truck has all the stock components there is a 10mm size jam nut in there to prevent the screw from in screwing . You can disconnect the two fuel lines and the top one with the fitting going into the motor you can angle the fuel line in the 5 o clock position towards the cab . You then get 10mm deep socked and a 3/8 ratchet in it to break it free then use your handy method to adjust then I just hand the nut in case I want to play w it later down the road
The easiest method to break the lock nut free is with a long flat head screw driver and a small hammer.
Love the practical, "get to the point" content. Keep up the good work!
Much appreciated!
Thank you, Thank you. Needing turn down my idle speed and after staring at the VE IP for a little bit and realizing the screw I needed to adjust was in a crazy place I came in and found your site. Guess what, I was right and I even have that tool. Now I'm going to go get it adjusted. Again, Thank you.
Great info. This is why I love this channel, to the point useful information.
I appreciate that!
Thank you! I was just researching on how to adjust my idle last night. This is awesome!
Glad it helped!
Great tech tip love all the videos you have. Keep up the good work and stay safe out there.
Thanks, will do!
Good guy right here thanks for all you do for the first gen community.. give him a follow everyone
I appreciate that
Had to leave a like after the “that’s what she said” joke 😂😂 great video!
Glad you enjoyed
Amazing, right when I was about to see ig you have made a video on this you post one, such great detail as well, Thank You!!
You're so welcome!
Thanks for making the video, I watched several others you have made and enjoyed them. Your idle screw is missing the lock nut. Turning the idle screw with the pick is a great idea, however the real problem is getting the lock nut loosened and not necessarily turning the screw. furthermore, with your idle screw lock nut missing there is a potential of your screw moving while operating the truck. Thanks again, and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the comment Ed. In my experience breaking that lock nut free has not been and Issue (hence, why I didn't include it in this video). I had the lock nut off for over 4 years with no movement of the idle screw. I may still throw it back on there just in case though.
THANK YOU! I was looking at mine just yesterday trying to figure out how I could fix my high idle. I almost pulled out the dremel and cut away at the screw. Perfect timing on this video, I'll go to harbor freight tomorrow
No problem! In exchange I will let you rebuild my xr 👍
@@decentgarage Bring it to Arkansas and I'll do it. 😂 I just did the top end on my trail 90
Awesome! Loving the tech tips!
Glad you like them!
Awesome vid! Very informative!
Glad you liked it!
Awesome!! Thanks man. Gonna get to that this this weekend. 👌
Glad it was helpful!
this tip will come in handy as I just put a newly rebuilt pump on my old girl (Thanks Hungry Diesel) and I am sure there will be a need to adjust a few screws. (hahah you know what I mean). Thank you Tim!!! Another stellar vid.
Thanks!
When I turned the fuel up one mine I just took my Reemer and grinded a little off work great an took know time
Also a good idea.
Great shortcut and not a pain in ass. THANKS.
Yep!
Thanks again Tim great video I had to mess with my idle screw and remember you made a video about this HF pick now what crazy bent 10mm wrench do you have to loosen that nut on the idle screw I built one that works but is a bit of a pain to use ..Merry Christmas also
Use a flare head screw driver and a small hammer to loosen the lock nut. It works really well
Thumbs Up ! Great "Tip" I agree ya got some new Crocs for the Beast.
You got that right!
Awesome video! Does the idle need to be adjusted after a new fuel pin is installed as well? I’d also love it if you made a video about adjusting the star screw. Keep it up dude 👍🏻
Fuel pin won't affect the idle but the gov spring will.
Do you adjust while idling?
IAppreciate the fast response on my comment I was not trying to be mean just pointing out a fact I do enjoy your videos though they are pretty informative
No worries man! I knew you weren't trying to be critical. Sorry if my response came off that way 👍
Thanks bro I appreciate it
Perfect video. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Tried to use my HF POS pic to set my spring on the throttle from your gov spring video. The pic started turning in the handle.
So mine had the locknut on it and I could loosen it with a 1/4 in drive 10mm with a u joint and long extension , with some difficulty . Mine did not have the hole in the screw . I could turn the screw a bit with my pokey tool and a bit with a medium length screw driver . Re tightening the lock nut with the socket was not as easy as loosening it was.
You're the man
Somebody had messed with my pump before I bought my truck. This screw had damaged threads and I couldn't get it adjusted. I then realized that they had also tried to disconnect the fuel supply line and had crimped it to a point that it was restricting fuel. Long story short my pump had to come off. It was a good thing because I also found other issues that got resolved.
Dang that sucks! The hungry diesel has a lot of parts that you may need including the fuel supply line. Use my discount code and get 10% off as well 👉 decent1stgen
Can you do this without mods for winter to boost idle
Nice one 👍🏻
Thanks ✌️
Genius! I’ve always used a relatively long flat blade screw driver and a bunch of bad words
Yeah i was shocked when I figured this out.
Thank you 🙏🏽
Glad it helped
Sir.... you saved my life.... 😁
Glad I could help!
thanks again!
Any time!
Might be a dumb question but, how do you adjust your idle if you don’t have a tac?😂 I put a fuel pin and governor spring in the truck and it’s got a high idle. Do I just guesstimate based off sound? Thank you
Honestly I guestimate based on the sound. If it's and auto and you put it into gear if it lurches it's too high and if it vibrates your mirrors it's too low
Which way should you turn it to lower the idle?
Clockwise to raise it, counterclockwise to lower it 👍
New wheels huh Tim? Thought we wouldn’t notice didn’t ya 🤣
I'll show them better in the next video!
What do you do if the screw wont turn ?
Why does you idle screw not have a jam nut line does just curious?
Thanks Jason
I had it off which I don't recommend. Watch my runaway video and you'll see why
What if you took two nuts and tightened them together and used an open ended wrench to adjust the threaded rod?
The problem is there is no space to get an open ended wrench in there. And if you do get one in your won't be able to turn it enough.
My truck has idled right at 900 rpm since I've owned it. I backed out my stop screw and ended up with a gap between the screw and the arm. Something else must be stopping it from coming down further. I was only able to get it down to 860 rpm. Any ideas?
The other thing that can control idle is the length of your throttle rod. Make sure that's adjusted correctly
I have a "lock nut" on my idea screw I have been loosening and tightening with a small chisel (yikes) and I see you do not have one. Is the nut not required/desired? Great tip, I will get the tool at HF.
I removed the nut completely and have not had any issues.
Thank you.
Great suggestion, but you failed to mention the lock nut that my engine has. Yours probably did too at one time, but mine is so tight that I've not been able to adjust anything as of yet. How do you skip over the very first step? Is my engine the only one made with a lock nut on the adjusting screw? I'd appreciate any suggestions you have on the subject and I definitely appreciate your videos. I've learned quite a bit from watching them.
I just did a recent video where I explained the lock nut and how to get it loose. That's the easy part. It's one of the Ask Decent Garage episodes
@@decentgarage Great! I'll check it out.
@@decentgarage Dang it! You must have a thousand videos on here! I can't find the one about that lock nut but I'll keep looking. So many good videos, I'll never get through them all. lol
@@mikeh7225 haha sorry about that. The video you are looking for is called "why does water leak into my cab" and the pic is me standing in front of my truck with an umbrella.
Brilliant
Thanks!
Your idle screw didn’t have a set nut on it, kinda like your fuel screw. Wish I had loosened the idle screw set nut when I had the top half of pump off during governor spring install!
Yeah i learned my lesson with not having the set nut on it 😜
How do you tell what your rpm is at if you do not have a gauge??
With an automatic if it's too high it will jerk when you put it in gear and if it's too low it'll vibrate excessively. For a manual it's harder to do. Basically just have to compare it to another truck
I know you are busy but I went to adjust my idle and the screw comes all the way forward but loses connecton to the arm and the idle won't come down anymore, it's at like 950rpm. Thank you!
Have you also adjusted your throttle rod to take up the slack from adjusting your idle screw?
@@decentgarage well i got it to work by moving a tooth on the throttle positoin sendor. Now when I go to tighten it down it binds the linkage from moving freely. HMM
I know there’s a stop nut on the idle screw, did you omit the screw? Remind us... Is that stop nut easy to tighten and loosen or does it require a special tool? Great video. Thanks for sharing.,
Mine didn't have a stop nut but I have seen them with it. If that is the case it is very difficult actually adjust. Best option is use a hammer and flat head to get it loose and then just take it off completely
@@decentgarage With these vibrating motors does the idle screw run a risk of slowly moving in or out if the nut is missing? 🤷🏻♂️
@@therestomaestro3556 it could but honestly the idle screw is more of a back up. The idle is also limited by the throttle rod. Some people pull the idle screw completely out and just adjust the idle by adjusting the throttle rod
@@decentgarage I appreciate your replies. Not sure if it’s crossed your mind but a video on adjusting the power screw, is it the same as idle?, past runaway and back to near runaway would be nice. Or just adjusting it to near runaway.
Here’s why I’m suggesting it... One of my first gens has an upgraded turbo with the big lift and tires and noticed that it need more power to move it. I wanted to tinker with the “power screw” to give it more fuel but have not attempted due to the fear of a runaway and screwing up my engine.
You do a great job explaining and would rather learn from you than all the teenagers on YT who don’t really explain and just want an adrenaline rush.
Food for thought.
I forgot to mention. I don’t want to come off as selfish. I think that others can benefit from a good tutorial on this topic.
Is turning it towards the pump lowering or raising the idle ?
Clockwise raises the idle, counterclockwise lowers the idle. And put the lock nut back on!!!
@@decentgarage I hear you on that lock washer. Hopefully we all learned that one now. As far as turning it I'm sure that's facing the engine. Thanks Tim.
Lock nut.
@@ebeegeebeefofeebee3181 no, sorry that was confusing. I'll do a video on it and youll see what I mean about turning it in.
@@decentgarage Thanks. I'll be watching.
as a mechanic for most of my life you become ever so lazy when you see engineering faux-pas like the idle screw location and the work to result ratio of this job...so instead I went to the other side of that same screw slipped a cut piece of fuel hose over the end of it that extended over the threads and gradually cut it down until idle was perfect...mind you this will only work for a truck with low idle and took only a minute to do.....good job on this method though
That's a great idea as well!
Did you delete the TPS with a Pot?
Wait till the Thursday or Fridays video 👍
@@decentgarage OK
I have a 91 auto with no tps sensor no extra plug laying around what gives ? 🤔
Is it intercooled or non intercooled?
Non Inter cooled. It starts right up very rough then after a little while the idle picks up. And idles normal. However with the ac on it almost dies. Keep in mind autos don’t have a tach so no way to tel if rpm’s are at 750
@@watermalanblew non intercooled has a 727 which does not have overdrive.
Do you have a what’s up so I can show you my idle issue ?
@@watermalanblew i don't. Feel free to dm me on Instagram @decent_garage
My idle screw has a ten mill nut to loosen before you can adjust it:/
Hammer and flat head and then ditch the nut. Lots of people just take the whole idle screw out and use the throttle rod to limit the idle.
Good tip, i was just staring at that dang nut trying to figure out how to get it loose. I just turned up the power screw yesterday.
Why would they make access so difficult?
Ofcourse, mine doesnt have a hole. Ffs lmao
Lucky you!
He didn’t show how to loosen the jam nut or the lock nut
That's the easy part! I guess I'll have to do a video on that. I thought i was safe leaving the easy part out. I guess not