well.. after having a look at the ICV and re initializing it again... checking the plugs and such...
I've come to the conclusion that is down to the power steering!
when warm, do this experiment:
Park up on the handbrake on level ground, out of gear, foot off the clutch - foot off the accelerator.
with the steering wheel in the "dead ahead" position, apply a small amount of turn to the wheel (enough so you can "just!" hear the power steering pump. The revs will alter to approx 1000rpm, now let go of the steering wheel. you shouldn't hear the power steering pump anymore. the revs should also drop back down, and they will no doubt rise again.
do the above a few times, steering wheel in the dead ahead position (making sure the steering wheel and power steering pump are in a "relaxed" position, i.e lightly holding the wheel, should give you no feedback. take the steering wheel from the "relaxed" position, just a light turn "just" enough to make the power steering pump audible, the revs will rise while you hold the steering wheel there. then, allow the steering wheel to come back into the "relaxed" position and the power steering pump will no longer be audible.
leave it a few seconds between each attempt, and the revs will climb when apply a small turn (very small) and when you relax the steering wheel and the pump is no longer audible, the revs will momenterily drop to approx 800rpm, and will rise again (as the problem was previously).
now... go from "lock to lock" as if you are bleeding a new steering rack, it doesn't need to be done quickly just at a steady rate. do this 4 times at least, lock to lock and come back to the dead ahead position. ensuring the steering wheel and power steering pump are both relaxed (no force pushing through the wheel and the pump is no longer audible).... see how long it takes for the revs to go from 800rpm to 1k.. I did this earlier with mine and i waited over 5 minutes and it still didn't flutter from 800rpm.. where previous to "lock to lock" treatment it would do it every 5-10 seconds.
I strongly believe (in my case) it is power steering related, possibly needing a fluid change, due to the hydraulic fluid breaking down, requiring engine speed to increase to make up for the fluid breakdown..
OR
power steering pressure switch, giving false readings
try the above, and let me know what yours does!
Rob
found this.. and some cutting out symptoms are related to this..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POWER-STEERING...0893955046
I've come to the conclusion that is down to the power steering!
when warm, do this experiment:
Park up on the handbrake on level ground, out of gear, foot off the clutch - foot off the accelerator.
with the steering wheel in the "dead ahead" position, apply a small amount of turn to the wheel (enough so you can "just!" hear the power steering pump. The revs will alter to approx 1000rpm, now let go of the steering wheel. you shouldn't hear the power steering pump anymore. the revs should also drop back down, and they will no doubt rise again.
do the above a few times, steering wheel in the dead ahead position (making sure the steering wheel and power steering pump are in a "relaxed" position, i.e lightly holding the wheel, should give you no feedback. take the steering wheel from the "relaxed" position, just a light turn "just" enough to make the power steering pump audible, the revs will rise while you hold the steering wheel there. then, allow the steering wheel to come back into the "relaxed" position and the power steering pump will no longer be audible.
leave it a few seconds between each attempt, and the revs will climb when apply a small turn (very small) and when you relax the steering wheel and the pump is no longer audible, the revs will momenterily drop to approx 800rpm, and will rise again (as the problem was previously).
now... go from "lock to lock" as if you are bleeding a new steering rack, it doesn't need to be done quickly just at a steady rate. do this 4 times at least, lock to lock and come back to the dead ahead position. ensuring the steering wheel and power steering pump are both relaxed (no force pushing through the wheel and the pump is no longer audible).... see how long it takes for the revs to go from 800rpm to 1k.. I did this earlier with mine and i waited over 5 minutes and it still didn't flutter from 800rpm.. where previous to "lock to lock" treatment it would do it every 5-10 seconds.
I strongly believe (in my case) it is power steering related, possibly needing a fluid change, due to the hydraulic fluid breaking down, requiring engine speed to increase to make up for the fluid breakdown..
OR
power steering pressure switch, giving false readings
try the above, and let me know what yours does!
Rob
found this.. and some cutting out symptoms are related to this..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POWER-STEERING...0893955046