97 escort, strange problem

97 escort wagon 136,400 miles 5 speed.
yesterday it started doing something weird. when I go to slow down, right when I'm at the point where the car is almost stopped, it seems like it wants to stall, like it's loosing power. but when I get to the point to where it's completely stopped, it's fine. it only did it a few times yesterday but I came home, and hubbie drove it around the block when he got home, said he didn't notice anything. took the kids to school this morning, did it a few more times, came home and I'm not moving it until hubbie gets home, then we're going to ride together down the road, and by god we're not coming home until it does it so he doesn't think I'm crazy. the check engine light is not coming on, so it's not throwing codes(we have the scanner and I ran it just to be sure and nothing came up). we haven't replaced the plugs in a about 2 years we realized last night when we looked through our records so we're doing that this weekend. we already have to take it in this week to get the throw out bearings replaced, but I'm just worried that this is going to be something big and we have to take out more money from our IRA to get it fixed like we are doing with the bearings. things are tight, and we have no savings (yeah, I know). I can't afford a car payment for a new one, and to be honest, this has been one of the best cars. it just seems like when it rains it pours. it hasn't been a very good few weeks for us lately. so any ideas on what could be a possibility?

so its a manual transmission?

Does it have working a/c?

so its a manual transmission?

Does it have working a/c?

yes and yes

It is really hard to diagnose a problem if it isn't doing anything when it is being looked at. I think it might be a good idea to reset the the computer. Disconnect the positive battery terminal for 15 minutes. Now your computer will relearn it's settings according to your driving habits and sensor settings on the engine. It may not help, but it's worth a shot. Have you checked the air cleaner element?

It could be a problem with the IAC (idle air control) valve. It is on top of the throttle body and looks like a small cylinder with a couple of wires going into it. To take it off simply remvove the 2 screws with an 8mm socket. Once you have it off spray it with some WD-40 into the 2 cavities of the valve. Don't spray into the engine side. THis valve lets more air into the engine when it is under a load, such as having the air conditioning on or having a high draw on the alternator. The computer controls the idle speed through the IAC.

It is really hard to diagnose a problem if it isn't doing anything when it is being looked at. I think it might be a good idea to reset the the computer. Disconnect the positive battery terminal for 15 minutes. Now your computer will relearn it's settings according to your driving habits and sensor settings on the engine. It may not help, but it's worth a shot. Have you checked the air cleaner element?

It could be a problem with the IAC (idle air control) valve. It is on top of the throttle body and looks like a small cylinder with a couple of wires going into it. To take it off simply remvove the 2 screws with an 8mm socket. Once you have it off spray it with some WD-40 into the 2 cavities of the valve. Don't spray into the engine side. THis valve lets more air into the engine when it is under a load, such as having the air conditioning on or having a high draw on the alternator. The computer controls the idle speed through the IAC.
I will right that down and see what he says later when we drive around. We've never replaced the IAC in my car, only his truck. The air cleaner element, is that the same thing as the air filter, cause we looked at that right before xmas and it was still white after being replaced in May of '07?

Have you ever changed the fuel filter? Unless your throwout bearing is making a loud racket then you might put off replacing it. Mine was making noise and I kept on driving and the noise went away. I think maybe some sand got in it. It's fine now. :2cents:

Have you ever changed the fuel filter? Unless your throwout bearing is making a loud racket then you might put off replacing it. Mine was making noise and I kept on driving and the noise went away. I think maybe some sand got in it. It's fine now. :2cents:

we replaced the fuel filter in april "07. we were going to wait on the bearing since the noise stopped after my hubbie tried to do it himself and couldn't get the trannie dropped to get to it but after driving it for a week and it not making the noise again, it has started up again and it sounds worse so we want to get it in to fix that.

Seems like I suggest this on every thread lately, but check for a vacuum leak. These engines seem to develop leaks all the time, either on the elbow on top of the intake or at the manifold.
If it was plugs/wires I would expect you to notice something when accelerating too.
I suspect an air leak at the manifold.

[QUOTE=calla1231]I will right that down and see what he says later when we drive around. We've never replaced the IAC in my car, only his truck. The air cleaner element, is that the same thing as the air filter, cause we looked at that right before xmas and it was still white after being replaced in May of '07?[/QUOTE
Yes I mean the air filter

'94 LX 1.9 225k Manual 5-speed

Honestly couldn't tell you what exactly solved the issue but I used to get this primarily when getting off the highway. I confidently knew it would never actually stall, it just dipped below normal idle for a second or few before returning to normal. Some possibly relevant things that were done since 180k include disassembly and declog EGR orifice at the intake port side. Detached IAC motor and cleared IAC bypass valve of minor build-up. (IAC itself was fine) Replaced collapsed PCV elbow at intake. Replaced timing belt and air fitler. Replacing a bad hydraulic roller lifter which was noisy and pitted the exhaust lobe cam shaft. Regapped spark plugs and used standard (not double-silicon or other) spark plug wires. More was done to it but don't think those items to be relevant. This was all done while doing the HGasket and helicoil on cracked head. Since the engine was otherwise running okay, these items weren't done to address the issue you speak of specifically, but just as general maintenance.