When the engine is running but not under any load, it's idling, and it does so at a specific rpm. If the idle drops too low, then the engine could stall and turn off. If it runs too high, the engine won't be running as efficiently as possible and not only will you burn through more fuel, you'll also put more wear and tear on the engine than necessary. If you want to lower or raise the idle speed of your 1985 Chevrolet pickup with the 4.3-liter V6, you can do so in under 15 minutes.
Tools Used: Hex-head key set, Open-end wrench set
Adjust the Idle
Open up the hood. Take off the air cleaner on the engine with your hands, removing the wing nut on the air cleaner, and move it out of the engine bay. Start the truck and let it run until the temperature gauge reaches the halfway point.
Locate the idle speed adjustment valve, which has a spring on one end, and on the opposite end, a lock nut with a hex-head adjustment nut. Loosen the lock nut with an open-end wrench while holding the center still with a hex-head key.
Turn the hex head key and listen to the engine to determine if you're raising or lowering the idle speed. Adjust it to the approximate range you like, then tighten the lock nut in place.
Check the tachometer in the gauge cluster and verify that the idle speed is at the rpm you wish to set. If you still need to adjust, then repeat steps 2 to 3 until the idle speed reaches the correct rpm.
Tips & Warnings
There is a sticker on the underside of the hood with the correct idle speed for your 4.3-liter V6 engine. If you want to set the idle to the factory setting, then make sure the tachometer reads the same number that's on the sticker.
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