Car won't idle

My car will not idle after I just installed a new intake manifold gasket..it stalls immediately after starting unless the gas is held down, in which case it gives it gas and then cuts gas repeatedly with some backfiring. I broke a t-connector for one of the vacuum hoses that connects to the back of the intake manifold, so that hose isn't on too well and I can hear it leaking when it's running. I also snapped a plastic vacuum line that connects to the underside of the front of the intake manifold, which I put back together with some duct tape. So im thinking maybe too much unmetered air is getting in or maybe I have the plug wires on the distributor mixed up a little? any suggestions are needed and appreciated.

Definitely need to fix all the vacuum leaks, it will affect idle. Sounds like you may also have some plug wires crossed. Do you have a chart listing where all the wires go?

My car will not idle after I just installed a new intake manifold gasket..it stalls immediately after starting unless the gas is held down, in which case it gives it gas and then cuts gas repeatedly with some backfiring. I broke a t-connector for one of the vacuum hoses that connects to the back of the intake manifold, so that hose isn't on too well and I can hear it leaking when it's running. I also snapped a plastic vacuum line that connects to the underside of the front of the intake manifold, which I put back together with some duct tape. So im thinking maybe too much unmetered air is getting in or maybe I have the plug wires on the distributor mixed up a little? any suggestions are needed and appreciated.

1. Your idle isn't correct because you have vacuum leaks no matter if you 'duct taped' it or not.
2. Don't work on your car, have someone else do for you or learn not to break shit.
3. If the parts you busted off your intake were mold'd into the intake and now they are broken off, you'll need a new intake. This time, when swapping it out, DO NOT break anything.

Less insulting posts please.


Vacuum leaks sound like the problem to me.
What year car again?? Does it have MAF?

Yea...thanks for stating the obvious, now shut the fuck up. :shakehead 2 18 year old plastic vacuum lines snap and I should take it to someone else? lol who? my co-workers? fyi if it was just those two small vacuum leaks it would still idle...this was a stalling out condition meaning major leak...i was just searching for some quick suggestions before i went to bed the night it happened, took 2 minutes to find the leaks the next day...don't be a dick.

Re-read you post. My bad, I thought you broke the INTAKE...then I realize you're driving an 88 and has no plastic intake

Just use rubber lines and be done with it. That's all.

All good DarkblueTA...rubber lines is the plan.

Yea it was vacuum leaks, and it does have a MAF btw. It was just one of the runner gaskets was messed up, it idles fine now...but unfortunately all that work didn't fix the original problem (oil leak) so i'm back to square one...oh well..good practice I guess...I give up on it, i'll have my new car this week and let the bird sit till someone takes it.