Posted by roadrage (IP: 152.163.195.181) on July 31, 2000 at 08:14:57:
hey guys,
ive had my maverick stashed away in the country since i bought it.
i had not driven it for any extended period of time until i brought it home this weekend.
the previous owner had the idle speed set way too high. i think i have an idea why, i just dont know what is causing the problem.
upon start up, the idle was pretty smooth. after warm-up, it gets rough and stalls out when i stop. i have to throw it in neutral while at a light, and rev the motor to keep it alive.
the 60 mile trip home was tough.
ive started looking for obvious problems yesterday. i replaced the pcv valve and clogged fuel filter. (i couldnt blow thru it)
i thought that was going to fix everything after i found the clogged fuel filter and replaced it. the carb doesnt look real clean. i put in a gas additive to help clean it, and will be spraying carb cleaner in it today. i also will be installing new spark plugs too. i dont know how the old ones are reading just yet, but the car does not smoke.
my guess is this is a fuel related problem. i did notice that there was rust in the gas-filler neck, that was flaking. i dont know if it is an appreciable amount though. my 61 ranchero has rust in the fuel system too, but it doesnt seem to slow it down.
the car is a bone stock, 72 maverick, with a well maintained V8.
could it be vapor lock? it was only 88 degrees here yesterday, but i still had the problem after the car warmed up.
any ideas or suggestions are welcome
thanks
RR