my car's on it's last leg, please help me determine the problem.

[ajbarnes1]

hey guys, Within the last month or two my '91 240sx (manual transmission) has started having a lot of problems that I'm hoping you can help me identify. First off, the engine has an erratic idle when I come to a stop. It'll will jump between 300-1200rpm and eventually even out, but it can take upwards of 30 seconds before it does (I've just gotten used to holding the engine at about 1200rpms when I stop to avoid this problem). Occasionally, when I start the engine, it will crank without starting up. And other times it will flat-out stall when I brake hard (part of the idle problem). Additionally, I've noticed in the last couple of weeks that the engine will run hot when I'm on the highway for more than 20 minutes at over 55mph-- no other time. (the temp gauge will get up to the 4th line--maybe 4.5, and fluctuate up and down slightly.... not horrible, but warmer than it would normally run. And finally, I can smell gasoline from the engine running rich. A year ago I had my fuel pump replaced and the shop accidently disconnected my fuel gauge and said it wasn't them, so I wouldn't put it past them to have messed something up. Thanks for reading this, and if anyone can point me in the right direction as to the cause, I'll be really thankful. Thank you, andrew

[FliMSiCaL]

well..the idle thing could be several things. Check ur idle air control valve, check the o2 sensor. Whens the last time u had an oil change? Check ur radiator for blocked up front end and flush it. also make sure ur fan clutch isn't seizing up, if it runs on the interstate, it will hinder airflow. The fuel smell seems to me like u might either be running rich like u said, or u may have some leaky injectors.

[sanioll]

hey guys, Within the last month or two my '91 240sx (manual transmission) has started having a lot of problems that I'm hoping you can help me identify. First off, the engine has an erratic idle when I come to a stop. It'll will jump between 300-1200rpm and eventually even out, but it can take upwards of 30 seconds before it does (I've just gotten used to holding the engine at about 1200rpms when I stop to avoid this problem). Occasionally, when I start the engine, it will crank without starting up. And other times it will flat-out stall when I brake hard (part of the idle problem). Additionally, I've noticed in the last couple of weeks that the engine will run hot when I'm on the highway for more than 20 minutes at over 55mph-- no other time. (the temp gauge will get up to the 4th line--maybe 4.5, and fluctuate up and down slightly.... not horrible, but warmer than it would normally run. And finally, I can smell gasoline from the engine running rich. A year ago I had my fuel pump replaced and the shop accidently disconnected my fuel gauge and said it wasn't them, so I wouldn't put it past them to have messed something up. Thanks for reading this, and if anyone can point me in the right direction as to the cause, I'll be really thankful. Thank you, andrew

if you live in richmond, va we could meet and i can take a quick look at your vehicle.

Sounds like you've been skipping years of maintenance and now the poor car is dying.

i hope you have been replacing these stuff regularly as manual states:

spark plugsfuel filterair filtersparg plug wiresengine oil (very important every 2500 if youre using regular petrolium oil)transmission fluid, other fluids, etc..-----------------------------------------------

bty, your MAF might be going haywire too.