So, my 1994 GT has run into some issues... It's idling really low (500 RPM) and wont stay running for more than a minute.. When i hit the throttle, it just dies... It's weird... I thought it would be an air intake issue, took off the filter and didnt change a bit... Ideas?

 

fuel pressure?

 

hm... i'll have to check it out.. everything else checks out... hopefully it's nothing major

 

Fuel starvation or plugged cats.

 

what do you mean by plugged cats?

 

Catylitic converters can become clogged over time. That's what he is talking about. Eventually they will be so plugged up your car won't be able to exhaust and if it can't breath exhaust out it won't have any room to suck air in and run.

 

It could have suddenly developed a nasty vacuum leak too... Usually plugged cats will slowly degenerate performance until it gets to a seriously noticeable level. Suddenly getting so bad that the car won't run would be a bit strange.

To check for a massive vacuum leak on a carb'd or non MAF car I would block the air intake off partially with my hand, a little at first and then gradually more, to see if it made any difference. I'm not sure how accurate this test would be on a MAF car. Obviously, if it block it off entirely and the car is still running, you have a bad problem (I've seen it!!!).

 

+1 thats my bet, and im gonna go on a limb and say i bet that 90% of idle probs are vac related

 

Ive also heard that it could be an o2 sensor....... opinions on that?

 

Incorrect. O2 sensor input isn't even considered for ECM calculations until closed loop, which occurs at 180* coolant temp. You aren't running long enough to get there.