Ok, after reading through three pages of search results, I am left with lots of possible reasons for my problems, but I havent found anyone that experiences all of my problems, nor have I found any definitive answers on what the actual cause is.
Ok, my car:
92 5spd with 116k mi on it
no smoke, not overheating, no coolant boiling in overflow...
Put Royal Purple Synthetic in about 2k mi ago, but don't remember what grade... whatever it said in the manual... I will check...
3.27 Ford racing gears with perfect backlash and pinion depth and royal purple gear oil/additive
New MAP, TPS, MAFS, hmmm...
Have not had the opportunity to check plugs/wires
Ok, problems: Starting the car is no problem, but keeping it running at idle is. At idle the RPM's will fluctuate from 900, down to a bogging 400, back up to 600, down, up... until it eventually goes low and dies if I don't rev it. Oil pressure gauge tends to drop with it... going to no pressure and then back up and down and up ... The car always idles rough, the whole car shakes slightly. Once the car warms up, whenever I start from a dead stop I get a really really bad bucking (about 5 good jerks per second) until the clutch is completely released, then all is good. My oil pressure gauge also drops to nothing while cruising at highway speeds (70ish). This causes my check gauge light to come on. I am about to replace the IAC since that is a heavily mentioned possibility. I will run down in a few and see what is happening with the vacuum at idle also. Oh, and my mileage is also very bad. I don't think it is head gaskets, but who knows. I am always worried that driving the car is leading to a very very big problem... but I don't have any choice, its is my only transportation. The oil pressure gauge, though I know they are proned to fail, does scare me since it seems to change with my engine rpm and idle conditions.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. I know this topic has been covered many times, but I figure why not try once again. Worst that happens is I get ignored right? lol. Thanks guys. Phil
Oh, and I am super tired right now so sorry if I left out important information.
Ok, my car:
92 5spd with 116k mi on it
no smoke, not overheating, no coolant boiling in overflow...
Put Royal Purple Synthetic in about 2k mi ago, but don't remember what grade... whatever it said in the manual... I will check...
3.27 Ford racing gears with perfect backlash and pinion depth and royal purple gear oil/additive
New MAP, TPS, MAFS, hmmm...
Have not had the opportunity to check plugs/wires
Ok, problems: Starting the car is no problem, but keeping it running at idle is. At idle the RPM's will fluctuate from 900, down to a bogging 400, back up to 600, down, up... until it eventually goes low and dies if I don't rev it. Oil pressure gauge tends to drop with it... going to no pressure and then back up and down and up ... The car always idles rough, the whole car shakes slightly. Once the car warms up, whenever I start from a dead stop I get a really really bad bucking (about 5 good jerks per second) until the clutch is completely released, then all is good. My oil pressure gauge also drops to nothing while cruising at highway speeds (70ish). This causes my check gauge light to come on. I am about to replace the IAC since that is a heavily mentioned possibility. I will run down in a few and see what is happening with the vacuum at idle also. Oh, and my mileage is also very bad. I don't think it is head gaskets, but who knows. I am always worried that driving the car is leading to a very very big problem... but I don't have any choice, its is my only transportation. The oil pressure gauge, though I know they are proned to fail, does scare me since it seems to change with my engine rpm and idle conditions.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. I know this topic has been covered many times, but I figure why not try once again. Worst that happens is I get ignored right? lol. Thanks guys. Phil
Oh, and I am super tired right now so sorry if I left out important information.