97 Altima rough idling and stalling

For some time now my 97 altima (232000miles) has been acting up. On a cold day when I start it up, it run good for a minute and then it idles really rough. It revs to about 2000rpms and then it drop to under 500rpms; it does this until it stalls. When I try to start it, it turns over good but does not start right away. When I get it started it putts and sputters and blows out black smoke. There is also alot of exhaust fumes. When driving it goes fine,but when we come to a stop the idle drops like it wants to stall and sometimes it does. At time it bucks while accelerating and feels like its choking or like its not getting enough fuel. We had the plugs, distributor with new caps and rotors, knock and crank sensor changed. The mechanic checked the fuel filter, fuel pressure, MAF sensor and the idle control, but it still acts up. I checked the vacuum lines running to the EGR and saw one of them has a small crack. Could this be the cause of all this or could it be something else? There is also a small hissing sound coming from the back of the motor by the intake manifold. Could this be another cause?

This is exactly the problem I am having on my 94 Altima, cept that it does this in either cold or warm weather. I am not at all mechanically inclined, but would love to get a handle on the problem b4 the bills start mounting. Any help would be appreciated!

I had the same problem on my 93 altima. Everything I tested had the right reading but I wasn't satisfied. I finally narrowed it down to the IAC or Idle Air Control valve. When I hooked a multimeter up to it, it was fine but again I new it had something to do with the idle. I took it off and the thing was gunked up. I took it apart and used some Throttle body cleaner and put it back on. Just for giggles I also took of my egr valve and cleaned that out carefully with a screwdriver and throttle body cleaner. I started the car and it purrs like a kitten. The IAC is about $130 so I didn't want to replace it. If it's tested it might pass the test but still be gunked up. It is located on the passenger side bottom of the intake and is a pain in the butt to get off. I hope this helps out. Parts for this style nissan are not cheap at all and cleaning a part is a lot cheaper than replacing it.

Thanks! I have a strong feeling that's it..and I'm glad you mentioned it, because I had had it looked at to pass a smog a while back, and I couldn't for the life of me remember what the part was called that he adjusted. Much thanks - hope that's it!

Well 97 Altima is idling and stalling this is what you meant .i am so sorry i am not so sure about this but i think in this you need to take a technician support he will guide you much better .