Rough Idling - Help!!

My baby has been running great, until yesterday afternoon.. She started and ran smoothly all day, till.......

I made a trip about 45 miles from home. Freeway speeds and she loved it- then when I came to a stop at the top of the off ramp, she was idling so rough I almost got worried! Hesitated a little leaving the stop sign too. Ran ok, not perfect, but ok till I stopped for a red light, then chug-chug-chug again. I thought after sitting for four hours she would be ok heading home, but was still sputtering.

Same problem today- runs ok till I stop, then lugs and chugs. Didn't matter if the engine was warm or cold.

Oil pressure was good. Temp never got over usual- around 190. I checked the carb mounting bolts, they are ok. All vacuum lines are new and attached.

I'm out of ideas!!! I really need this car to run and run well, she is my daily driver and walking or biking to work at 4AM- 6 miles one way, isn't an appealing thought.

Please help- any ideas or suggestions are EXTREMELY appreciated!!

what kind of car is it and what size engine

My baby has been running great, until yesterday afternoon.. She started and ran smoothly all day, till.......

I made a trip about 45 miles from home. Freeway speeds and she loved it- then when I came to a stop at the top of the off ramp, she was idling so rough I almost got worried! Hesitated a little leaving the stop sign too. Ran ok, not perfect, but ok till I stopped for a red light, then chug-chug-chug again. I thought after sitting for four hours she would be ok heading home, but was still sputtering.

Same problem today- runs ok till I stop, then lugs and chugs. Didn't matter if the engine was warm or cold.

Oil pressure was good. Temp never got over usual- around 190. I checked the carb mounting bolts, they are ok. All vacuum lines are new and attached.

I'm out of ideas!!! I really need this car to run and run well, she is my daily driver and walking or biking to work at 4AM- 6 miles one way, isn't an appealing thought.

Please help- any ideas or suggestions are EXTREMELY appreciated!!


Could be as easy as dirt in the carburetor. Try tapping lightly against the bowls with the handle of a screwdriver while the car idles, see if that improves it. Had it happen a few times on my Holleys.Dirt might get the floats stuck.

Here's an update...... did tap the carb- also changed the fuel filter and spark plugs (what a job that is) and she is running nicely again..

Thanks for the replies, also for the expertise and wisdom on this forum. You all have helped me more than you know!!!! :biggrin:


(BTW, she's a 79 Esprit with a 305)

Here's an update...... did tap the carb- also changed the fuel filter and spark plugs (what a job that is) and she is running nicely again..

Thanks for the replies, also for the expertise and wisdom on this forum. You all have helped me more than you know!!!! :biggrin:


(BTW, she's a 79 Esprit with a 305)


glad it worked...keep that baby rolling...