My otherwise fine running 94 Escort 1.9L 5 speed at 132K miles has developed a habit of aburptly stumbling into a stall while idling for more than a couple of miuutes. It will always start right up again, and idle fine for a few more minutes until the stumble comes back again. Sometimes if I'm fast enough to blip the throttle in time, I can catch it and prevent the stall.
Otherwise the car runs strong, accelerates without any hesitation, and will return to a normal idle from running at speed. But after a couple of minutes, that stumble comes back....
I suspect an intermittent vacuum leak somewhere...the vacuum hose elbow for the PCV valve intake manifold connection appears somewhat collapsed, and it was kind of loose on the manifold nipple connection. I tried to tighten it up with a small hose clamp but am still getting the periodic stall. I do know that pullng the PCV hose off the intake manifold nipple will immediately stop the engine cold.
Any suggestions as where to go next.? BTW, no check engine light or codes being thrown as part of this.
Chris Bowne Stonington, CT
94 Escort LX 1.9 132K 98 Volvo V70XC 115K