> Took car in and had the water pump replaced.
> Cool beans
> Drive the car on freeway 80 miles
> Stop for gas
> Car is idling at 1700
> Wat
> Service Engine light has been on the whole time but I had an appointment that I needed to get to so I couldn't leave it at the shop
> Call him
> "oh ok no problem just bring it back in probably something knocked loose"
> okay.jpg
> bring it it
> Works on it for like a day
> He has no idea what is wrong
> He mentioned that a lot of coolant spilled all over the engine compartment when he took the cap off with the water pump install
> Could something have gotten soaked and ruined?
> What would cause a high idle like this?
> Note, the car initially acts like it wants to die and after warming up idle's at 1700, it needs gas to live initially though.

[This message has been edited by rmbrown09 (edited 05-23-2012).]

V6 auto?

Do this and see what your SES codes are

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 05-23-2012).]

Sorry, 86 manual v6

When you spill water from the thermostat it lands on the EGR solenoid. If that is malfunctioning you should get a code. If your car has its original vacuum lines there may be a split in one of them near the EGR solenoid or the MAP sensor....and it can be very hard to see.

High Idle (Between 1500-2500) can be caused by Coolant Temp Sensors. I have found, on 2 different harnesses I had, the wires at the sensor plug break or get loose in the pins over time. The best identifying fix I could come up with is to wiggle the wires (not the plug itself) at the plug, and check for idle change. another thing to do is scan the car while it's acting up and get the readings from the car, provided you have a scan tool that can do that.

cracked or leaking EGR tube?

Not a V6, but on my 4 cyl. it had a high idle also. Ended up that 2 of the vacuum lines were switched on the TB. So I'd trace down all your vacuum and make sure there isn't a leak or somthing connected where it shouldn't be.