I've been having more idle problems in the last few weeks, so I finally got off my butt and tried to adjust the TPS. Using the DMM method from Reted's site, I found that the the TPS was dead. Replaced it with a second hand one, and it idled great, and the car drove much better all around.
That was yesterday. Today I went for a spirited drive, no problems at all. Went to the shops, restarted the car (with the usual hot start bullshit problems, thank god for the fuel cut switch ). When I have to 'hot start' it, I usually find that it runs rough for a few minutes, then it goes away and all is well. Anywho, it was still running a bit rough, so I decided to give it some in second gear (to 'clear it'). I didn't go over 6000rpm. I backed off, and to my surprise, my car had turned into a VW. That's the only way I can explain it, as it now has that rat-tat-tat-tat sound. It is no longer smooth, and the power is down a bit. It still idles fine, but you can hear the rat-tat-tat-tat sound. If I rev it in neutral, the engine sounds fine, until the revs drop to idle and I get the vw sound again.
I thought that maybe one or more of my vaccum hoses may have popped off, but I'm not sure if I would get these symptoms. Anyways, I took off the intercooler, and for the life of me I can't see anything wrong with the hoses (which by the way, were all replaced with silicon ones 6 months ago).
There is one strange thing though, there is a hissing sound coming from the large hose on top of the manifold, and if I put my ear to the hose, it is much louder, as if the hissing is coming from somewhere else, and is being magnified in that hose (not sure if that makes sense). I've checked the hose (again, it's one of the ones replaced already), and there are no splits, holes or anything.
The hose I'm talking about is the red one at the top.


Anyone have any ideas or comments?

 

Anyone?

 

First off, I like the fact that you are a believer in the "Italian Tuneup", just as I am.

I seriously doubt your engine is blown. The fact that you hear a hissing noise is what tells me that.

Take some starter fluid and spray it near the hissing noise. If the engine revs then you know you have a vacuum leak. That's probably what it is.

 

do a compression check, you'll find out.

 

I'd say don't bother with starter fluid. Use water from your garden hose. Cheaper and less likely to combust in your face.

Is the idle jumpy?

Are you telling me that we've got all those 7 owners in Ottawa and nobody will help you do a compression check?!?

 

Nobody asked me. You ******!!! That's my tps!! I'm glad it worked for you I'll help you out, give me a pm... I'll see what i can do for ya. worst comes to worst, i'll find you a buyer