HELP PLEASE!!!

[SilverPath]

I need help big time! My 1998 Pathy recently started having a slight stumble at idle. No trouble running on the road, most noticible in gear. As of yesterday it suddenly became worse and even stalls out at idle out of gear without a load. I can hear an intermitent "pop" near the throttle body while it's idling, if it keeps running. This afternoon i had it running and it crapped out and then white smoke came out the throttle body through a crack in the boot connecting the air intake to the TB. I have gotten no MIL light at all, so I don't know where to even begin. I normally try to work through my own stuff but I don't know where to begin. I'm scared to take it to a mechanic for fear of being screwed. I have been given the name of a well trusted guy, but would like to go into it a little prepared if I can't tackle it myself. All that I have been able to find online seems to point to a sticking intake valve, hence the smoke out the TB or a bad IACV. Would neither of these throw a code? I had a miss from a bad plug that caused the light to come on but it idles like crap now and dies but I get nothing. ANY help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

[audtatious]

Have you put a scanner on it to ensure there are no codes? I've seen others have codes without the SES coming on.

[SilverPath]

No, the D-B at autozone said he couldn't get a code without a light. I went in and asked, just to be sure. He said no way. Is it worth going back and just telling them to plug it in?

[SilverPath]

Ok, today I took it to Autozone and they hooked it up with no codes. I cleaned the throttle body, MAF and TPS just because I didn't know what else to do. For a short while it ran like nothing had ever happened and then about an hour later it started to hesitate at idle again. The only difference now is that with the ac running at idle it actually idled up. I also added a bottle of Lucas fuel system cleaner and filled up with 93 octane. The dude at Autozone suggested a vaccuum line clogged but I have now idea if that would be the case, and if so how the hell do I find it?

[SilverPath]

Anyone? I'm gonna bite the bullet tomorrow and take it to the mechanic unless somebody's got any ideas

[Mikey178]

Have you checked your PVC valve or changed it??? sometimes its overlooked in vehicles but if clogged or not working correctly it can cause some issues too.

What is considered "normal idle" on your tachometer (RPM)? could be its dropping too low and may need to be adjusted.

[SilverPath]

Ok, changed the pcv valve put two new vacuum hoses on that were cracked and now it is worse than before. Unfortunately going to the shop in the a.m.

[SilverPath]

Mechanic replaced the distributor. Now all is well, allegedly.