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1991 Mercury Tracer

Question: the idle speed on my car goes up and down

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halffast mech, 1.9L 4 Cylinder, Indianapolis, IN, April 15, 2009, 16:53

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i have a 1989 merc tracer.at idel the engine speed goes up and down when the engine is at operating temp.it also stumbles on acceleration as though it is not getting fuel.this car has only 46000 miles.

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Answer #1

Bret Bodas from RepairPal Test Shop, July 01, 2009, 09:39

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Did you ever find out what was causing your idle problem?

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dbigg September 19, 2009, 04:36

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My 1994 Tracer is doing the same thing. Started to die when idling. Now the engine speed hangs at about 2k RMP for a bit then drops to about 1k RMP then dies when setting at idle. I have replaced everything I can think of with not change at all. Did you ever find a solution to your problem?

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dbigg, September 28, 2009, 16:05

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I just found the problem to my issue. It was a vacuum line connection. Not sure what the line is for or called, but it runs between the Intake manifold and the Exhaust manifold. The rubber connection on the intake manifold side was cracked. Looks like poor design, over time the rubber will fail and push back toward the firewall and cause the rubber fitting to crack. Mine was cracked front and back.

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Visitor, August 13, 2011, 22:19

i also have a 94 tracer mine does it as well i did a complete tare down of my engine found the egr line by the intake the connection at gasket by in take to be real gunked up also my exhausted need to be fix timing also could be an issue

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Answer #3

catfishjones40 September 02, 2011, 16:31

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I had a similar problem with my 1997 Tracer. The engine would run rough at idle and sometimes die when I'd come to a stop sign or light and in order to keep it from dying I had to keep my foot on the gas pedal and one on the brake and give it a little gas while I was waiting for the light to change. At first I thought it may be the fuel filter. I looked around under the hood and noticed the rubber hose going to the PCV valve had a hole in it. It just worn itself out. After replacing that little bit of hose and just for the heck of it replacing the valve too it now runs smooth and doesn't crap out like it had been doing.

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