MX5 NC 3.5 idle and low load uneven idle especially cold

[ColinGreaves]

Hello all.

Not a massive issue but an irritant so wondered if it was a quick fix. I also had a misfire at high rpm on full acceleration. I have changed the spark plugs and got rid of the misfire, the idle hunting still remains. No engine lights on the dashboard, it has just had an MOT and nothing untowards on the emissions. Nothing coming out of the exhaust. When it warms up the problem "nearly" goes away.

May thanks on any thoughts. Note that on a 1-10 scale of being a mechanic,where 10 is best, I am about 2 and my tool kit is 2.5.

[Evoluzione]

I'm assuming that when you say nothing comes out of the exhaust this is when the engine is switched off?
Try cleaning the throttle body out first, that's level 2 stuff.

[Bainbridge]

Cleaning the MAF sensor is worth a go. Also resetting the ECU might solve it.

Both well within level 2.

[ColinGreaves]

thanks, got some liqui moly on order for the MAF, will google throttle bodies.

Cheers for putting in the competency level, though your 2 might be higher than mine of course

[mattman]

I find general electrical contact cleaner is great for cleaning the MAF - just make sure you give it time to dry off before starting the engine.

The other thing to check are all the rubber hoses and make sure you don’t have holes or cracks in the pipes as that can also cause odd things