my car is running like a bucket of puss.
its surging like crazy.
it idles like shit. (a f**ked idle motor doesn't help)
u drive along, decient speed for the gear ur in, foot completely off all peddles and it just starts rocking forwards and back, u have to put the clutch in and bring the revs right up the let the clutch out to stop it, then a second later it does it again.
i though to myself "what could it be???" and having next to no knowledge on this sort of thing i started to guess.
i thought " maybe its the fuel?" got fuel at a different place, still doing it.
"maybe its the fuel filter??? after all it is the original one that came with the car (read: 14yr old)". $30 later its still doing it.
now i think to myself, "maybe i should just get a new car??" then i realise i'm a uni bum and cant afford to so i have to fix this one.
then i think "could it be my fuel pump going??? possibly the injectors???", "****ed if i know, but i know some top blokes who might!".

so here i am.what is wrong with my surging car. is it:
a) fubar fuel pump
b) fecked fuel injectors OR
c) Tim, u really have no idea, stick to IT & Chemistry, its actually ...(insert problem here)...

ne help you almighty gods of the magna can give would be great cuz its really hard being a delivery boy and barely being able to drive ur car... :cry:

thanx guys

Tim

I would suggest (C) but only because I am a smartass :O)

Seriously though...

A surge at idle will NOT be injectors or pump.

Your AIC (idle motor) being stuffed won't help, but chances are you have an air leak, or a fubared airflow meter. Disconnect the airflow meter, the car will still run (should) and see how you go - the check engine light will illuminate, but you may get a steadier idle. The AIC can be removed and cleaned with some aerosol brake cleaner - it is just $hit from your PCV valve over time that causes issues here.

Also check your leads and plugs. Does it sit and idle smoothly, or is it 'lumpy' - what is the condition of your plugs? Is one or more 'wet' after running?

Clean your AIC, Rule out plugs and distributor cracks first, then air leaks, then the AMM (air mass meter). Crook pump will cause stalling/hard starting, and crook injectors (rare) will cause poor performance, rich mixtures etc. A dead pump means your car will not start.

You may also have a crook ignition module. Check timing with timing light too.

If you don't feel competent to do this, pay a mechanic rather than taking pot shots at what it is - this is a *VERY* expensive way to fix a car. You end up replacing a whole heap of things that are not broken to find one that is, where someone who knows what they are doing would find it straight away - especially since it is not an intermittent fault, and quite severe.

Cheers
Heath Young

I reckon it could be both, but theres no option for both. :lol:

Could also maybe be:
- Cracked distributor cap or stuffed Ignition module
- Spark plugs/leads.

i fixed it. i think it was the 3" split in my intake hose. my bad.
but its running way better now. at least u can drive it (or could if the engine mounts were in, but thats another story).

thanx for ya help.
Tim

Yep - sounded like an air leak problem...

Cheers
Heath Young