its a 1990 auto and sometimes it wont start. when it does start it will idle rough. It goes from 200 to 800 back and forth. when i give it gas it dies completely.

backstory tiem.

I didnt drive the car for a while because it overheated. i changed the radiator and waterpump and thermostat. I started it up right after that and drove it. it started great btw. It didnt overheat or anything when I drove it around that day and everything was fine. Later that night i kept driving it around and then it started bogging hard. bleh verrm bleh verm bleh verm. it was really jerky. if i gave it alot of gas it would drive better at higher speeds. Initial take off is wat was rough. So i parked the car and the next day tried to start it. car says NOPE for about 3 months of me trying to start it. i checked the fuel pump by taking off the return line and watching gas come out when i turned the key. one day i decided to try and start it. IT STARTED. i drove it and everything was fine. except it overheated again. i took off the thermostat and then it stopped overheating. i drove it around that day and it did great. but then a few days later it did the same exact bogging thing i described earlier. Now it wont start again.

It will startup but as soon as i give it gas it dies and the check engine comes on. also the fuel gauge drastically dropped idk if that means anything...

this car has NO MODS

im thinking it could be

1)Vaccum leak
2)Fuel filter
3)Fuel injectors

Im shipping out in January so as soon as i leave my car is going to a trustworthy mechanic for a tii swap. But id like to have some time with my baby before i leave.

 

Definitely check for vac leaks first. rough idle could easily be caused by a vac leak, and checking for them is relatively easy and usually very inexpensive to fix.

 

How would the car work for a few days then stop working though? is that a sign of a vac leak? How do i check for vac leaks? if you dont want to tell me ill just search

 

bump. As of now the car will not start. Check engine light is on.

 

"When I put the gas down the car dies"

Sounds like capital punishment death penalty. What horrible thing did your car do?

Check the connection between your air box and intake. Sounds like your Mass Air Flow sensor is confused.

 

did you check for vac leaks yet? also, since this is so severe it might be quite a large leak... when you try to start the car what happens?

also, I agree, if the check engine light is coming on it could be the MAF, but that also gives you something to go on. try pulling the codes and see what the ECU has to say for itself

 

id go with checking the maf. maybe a crack on the intake pipe

 

*AFM* - (Air Flow Meter)

You don't have your AFM turned sideways or anything... Do you? It is plugged in?