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It's a manual.. 88hp of doom. Is there a common vaccum leak area on these cars? Sometimes and only somtimes while at a stop , with the brake applied the car will idle down, almost die, or die.. let off of the brake and it will go back to normal. I am only to assume that there is a vaccum leak, a very small one. I have yet to look for one, just wondering if there is a common place to look.

168k miles.

Thanks
stig

If you can find the source of the wacky idle you will be my hero.

First few things to try are the PCV valve on the valve cover, they
are about 2 dollars and sometimes get too much oil in them. Then
check for any intake leaks past the airflow meter on the hosing or
connectors.

If those two dont work try better grounding the grounds in the
engine bay. Theres many a writeup on how to make the ground
cables and its fairly inexpensive and sure cant hurt.

Other than those check the vaccuum lines for leaks.
If I think of anything else obvious/easy/often overlooked to
check I'll post more.

Cool thanks, I know the PVC is clean.. I have cleaned that, cleaned the IAC.. checked the MAF.. it is while brakeing.. which lead me long ago to the Alt.. It's fine. I dunno... I am leaning towards the brake system, it works fine yet there must be something with that vaccum.. somehow. It's a mystery. I enjoy driving this little car, yet don't want it to act this way with my wife tooling around in it.

BTW: 38.5 mpg average last tank. It's a keeper!!

the accordian tube from the throttle body to the MAF.

My roommate's idle bounced as well. We changed the tube, changed the filter and set the ignition timing correctly.

I don't think it does it anymore at all. Anyways, it was realllly bad.

I found my problem, the throttle cable was out of adjustment. It was allowing too much slack, and it didn't have enough tension against the butterfly, assuming that meant the IAC couldn't keep up with changes of air flow that quick. Car is ready to travel the world now haha. thanks all.

I am having the same problem. Except with mine I am afraid it might be more than the idle need set. So im going to buy a alternator (Sure wouldn't hurt) and put that on see if it makes it any better.