Automotive Forums

Hi, my name is Pat. I own an 87' dodge charger 2.2. About 800 miles ago,
I rebuilt the carb. It ran just fine for 2-3 months. However the other day it started acting funky. What's happening is the engine will start and run at fast idle just fine, but when it trys to go down to normal idle (about 900rpm), it stalls. The engine won't run stable below 1500 rpm. I was thinking poor fuel delivery, possibly a clogged fuel filter. So I replaced both fuel filters and the problem persists. So I thought, maybe some sediment got through the filters and got lodged somewhere in the carb. So I took the air horn off and cleaned out all of the jets and holes and stuff. Still not working. So, I have no clue. The only ideas I have now are that the fuel pump is getting old and the fuel psi is low or that something is going on with the electrical system (i.e. rotor, ignition coil, etc). So that's my story, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much.  

Check your emission system including the egr valve.  

Thanks for the idea... I checked the EGR and I could hear it open and close.  In order to pin point the prob. I plugged all of the vacuum lines from the carb and it actually ran better. I believe that it is running too lean, so by plugging all the lines it acts as a way to stop any possible leaks. The strange part is when I UN plugged the main line going from the base of the carb to the vapor canister, the engine ran better, even with that huge vacuum leak. So now I don’t know whether it’s lean or rich. Here's the strange part, with half of the lines plugged I can start it and run it at fast idle (1700 rpm) until warm. Then it will drop to a relatively normal idle (about 1000 rpm) and it will sit there for as long as I want, but what happens is when I drive it, the idle speed will go right back up to 1500 rpm... I don't know what to think of that.
I just replaced the pcv valve and I don’t remember if I told you, but I also replaced all of the vacuum lines. I have two computers as well, so I can switch between the two but they both act the same. I just replaced all of the ignition system (coil, cap, rotor, plugs, cable etc.) A smart friend of mine (I guess I can call him an auto repair man) said that the timing belt might have jumped a few teeth. I just don’t know what to look for if that is the case, or even if it would cause something like this. A lot of other people keep telling me the map sensor could be bad and, if so, would cause this, but that’s not it... this car doesn’t have one. (Chrysler was a little behind the times) I’m guessing it’s a larger vacuum hose that is causing this, but I don’t know.
I don’t really think this matters, but at the same time my car started acting up, my shift linkage fell off while driving. A cop told me I had to move my car because I was in a bus stop. Luckily, when the shift linkage fell off, it was in third. So, I burnt the clutch a bit to get it into a parking lot around the corner. It was just a bushing, and that was an easy fix. I really think that it is unrelated, but I thought I would mention it since they happened at the exact same time...
Anyway, that’s what’s the current story is now. Ill keep you updated. Any input would be very greatly appreciated. Thanks much! Pat