Loping Idle, Dies Occasionally

Ok, I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, but I couldn't find it. Here's the info, followed by the question...

Vehicle:
2001 Ford Escort 4-door
2.0L I-4
Belongs to: A Friend
Modifications: None (motor mounts replaced)

Symptoms:
Idle lopes, car occasionally dies in Reverse
Idle drops and sometimes dies at stoplights
Gearshift bulb blown (not a current concern)

Known Issues:
Left bank running High
Air filter dirty
Spark plugs somewhat corroded
Oil recently changed, and no debris reported
Have not checked vacuum hoses, as car runs well in drive

Known Pros:
MAF sensor clean
Air intake clean
Tranny perfect
Runs well under most conditions

Issues to be addressed:
Change Air filter
Change spark plugs/wires

If anyone can come up with more things that may be wrong, please let me know. The friend previously referred to is not majorly concerned with the car's performance, as it has been doing this for about a year and a half. She has recently run into some money with which to repair the vehicle. I suggested that checking the computer codes was pointless, considering it seems to be free of errors. However, if someone can come up with a reason the computer should be checked, let me know. Also, please give any input that would help her situation. Thanks...

-Shifty

Ok, I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, but I couldn't find it. Here's the info, followed by the question...

Vehicle:
2001 Ford Escort 4-door
2.0L I-4
Belongs to: A Friend
Modifications: None (motor mounts replaced)

Symptoms:
Idle lopes, car occasionally dies in Reverse
Idle drops and sometimes dies at stoplights
Gearshift bulb blown (not a current concern)

Known Issues:
Left bank running High
Air filter dirty
Spark plugs somewhat corroded
Oil recently changed, and no debris reported
Have not checked vacuum hoses, as car runs well in drive

Known Pros:
MAF sensor clean
Air intake clean
Tranny perfect
Runs well under most conditions

Issues to be addressed:
Change Air filter
Change spark plugs/wires

If anyone can come up with more things that may be wrong, please let me know. The friend previously referred to is not majorly concerned with the car's performance, as it has been doing this for about a year and a half. She has recently run into some money with which to repair the vehicle. I suggested that checking the computer codes was pointless, considering it seems to be free of errors. However, if someone can come up with a reason the computer should be checked, let me know. Also, please give any input that would help her situation. Thanks...

-Shifty

you answered your own question really plug wires alone can cause your problems you mention

You may also want to consider cleaning the throttle body and the IAC motor. Should smooth out the idle.

Thank you GTP Dad, will keep that in mind tomorrow, when I go to service it.

UPDATE

Today, we gave the car a tune-up. Here's the list of things we did... Prepare to be boggled:

New spark plugs/wires
Removed, stripped, cleaned, and rebuilt engine
Cleaned air intake
Cleaned fuel intake system
New air and fuel filters
Adjusted and fixed annoying throttle cable problem
Added fuel injector cleaner

New to-do list:
Clean EGR
Clean IAC motor
Flush tranny
Flush coolant

The problem is not as bad, but still there. We're not sure if the to-do list will help, but we're tryin anyway. If anyone can come up with more troubleshooting ideas, let me know.

Thanks,
-Shifty

...Removed, stripped, cleaned, and rebuilt engine

Whoa?

Anyway's, it's usally caused by a vac leak. Could be from: Intake manifold gasket, injector O rings, throttle body, intake tube, or filter housing. The plug that is around the MAF wires must be in place, if not that will cause a leak. Or the MAF it's self could be bad also.

We checked the vacuum hoses before we rebuilt it. As far as the reason behind the rebuild, it has about 40k miles on it, and is already losin' power and mileage, plus it had been ran low on oil before she bought it, so the engine had a bit of carbon and other burnt crap on the inside. Haven't actually tested the MAF, how would one do that anyway?

-Shifty

You rebuilt engine after only 40k ?
Might be a resistance test for MAF in a repair manual, but as others say i would replace it instead. Seems you have done everything else....

My 1.9L was doing that. Recently put in a new 02 sensor and PCV valve and it stopped doing it. Don't know which was causing it but it's fixed!

PCV VALVE! THAT'S WHAT I COULDN'T REMEMBER TO REPLACE! Off to the garage...