92 Jetta intermittent miss/idle

[buftfan]

OK, maybe someone can explain this. I have a 92 Jetta 1.8 v, 5 spd w/air. I bought it 6 months ago and for the most part it is in great shape and runs great...most of the time. I started having an idle surge problem and thus replaced the idle stabilizer valve. Helped with normal idle conditions when all is working properly. But there is still a problem. Here's the current scenario: On occasion, after it is initially started or after a long interstate run, it will idle high again and begin to run like hell. If it stalls or I turn it off, I may as well go pound a few margaritas somewhere because it will be a while before it will restart. I've been able to get it to start by flooring the accelerator, but it was ROUGH. Don't know what to think. Most of the time it runs great, with or without AC-no problems. But I noticed that most of the time, when I start it each day (or after sitting for a while), it starts, then idles down to a stall. Does it 2-3 times, then we're good to go. Most of the tune up parts are less than a year old, both of the temp sending units on the front water neck are new, idle stab. valve-new. Replaced some vacuum lines that seemed old. Even bought a "new car scent" air freshener. Nothing has worked. Does anyone know if it might be a fuel pressure regulator problem. Any thoughts? The smaller (transfer?) fuel pump is also less than a year old. Don't know what to do. Any words of wisdom?

[Doug Tatham]

Keep in mind that I'm not a professional mechanic. It sounds like fuel pressure, the injection computer, or the mass air flow. If your fuel pump were dying the engine would be sluggish and you would start slowing down even with the accelerator floored. I know, I have a pump on order. I just finished overhauling my engine and painting it when the pump died. If I remember correctly, there is a valve on the outlet of the fuel injection manifold. This could be failing and causing overpressure. It's just a shot, but it makes since with the symptoms that you gave. At any rate, I wouldn't spend money on a fuel pump ($324).