I must have a vacuum leak somewhere. I can't get the idle to go below 1000. The car will idle okay, , it reads 1000, put it in reverse, stalls. When you get it going, it will stumble, then take off and run fine. When you come to a complete stop, it just dies. Start it up, idles fine at 1000 rpms, take off, then stumbles and goes through the same pattern. I checked all the lines, no leaks. Could it be the exhaust manifold gasket? the reason I say this is that when this problem started, the exhaust sounded different than normal, louder and rough. Any suggestions?

 

It could be the INTAKE manifold, but not the exhaust manifold. Keep looking, you have a leak somewhere. Check the hose that comes out of the back of the intake manifold. It is a common leak point.
You can take a bottle of propane/torch and use it to find your leak. When you get near/on the leak the idle will increase. Or use a spray bottle with some soapy water in it.

 

It sounds like the leak may lie with the brake booster hose.

 

Sterling, that is interesting. I had the master cylinder replaced and thats is about when the problem started. how do I check this out, and fix it?

 

Easiest thing would be to replace that line.

 

Well, check visually at the manifold, and if it's not there, compress (carefully!) the hose with vise grips or a suitable clamp.
WARNING! You will very quickly see the necessity of the brake booster! (Don't expect to actually drive any place.)

 

i think i love you. ive had this problem since i got the car 3 YEARS AGO and i figured it was just something that i had to live with.

i took the first rubber hose off closest to the booster and boom, theres something wedged in there! i have no idea what it is but the hose is done and gone!

thanks a ton.

 

I had the same problem with mine, and changed out the hose to the booster. Now I understand that there is a check valve in the hose that I should have saved! Now I need to find another one. Anyone know of an after market check valve that will fit the hose to the brake booster? Thanks.