[Re: idling, running problems...HELP before I get killed in traffic!!!!!]

[DieingSwan@aol.com (DieingSwan@aol.com)]

> --- Dubdaze68@aol.com wrote:
>  > a nasty running problem has made itself known in a big
>  > way in the 
>  > 'rocc....16v, backfiring and sputtering at idle, missing
>  > badly all through 
>  > the range....at first it got better after it had been
>  > run, but now it just 
>  > shows up randomly, usually at the worst times (like when
>  > I go to merge on a 
>  > busy street, I accelerate, and it just DIES, still
>  > running, but not going 
>  > anywhere...) seems the only time it will accelerate
>  > normally is when the full 
>  > throttle enrichment switch is depressed...then the car
>  > accelerates like a bat 
>  > out of hell, which is not, repeat, NOT fun when it's icy
>  > out... could it be 
>  > the O2 sensor? the coolant temp sensor?  what?

This is a shot in the dark... but long ago my '81 Alfa Romeo Spider had this 
problem when the catalytic converter started to go south. Bits of porcelain 
were coming off inside and clogging the exhaust pipe. The fact that you say 
it's somewhat of an intermittent problem would seem to support my theory. I'd 
say it's worth a look if you can deal with undoing nasty rusted exhaust bolts 
in the cold :(

Regards,
Courtney