(HELP PLEASE) 1996 VW Jetta (ROUGH IDLE)

[tiohero]

I have a 1996 VW Jetta, 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder with 73,000 miles which has been idling rough for a couple of months now. When the problem first started, the car would idle really strange, meaning that the RPM's would bounce up and down a lot when I was sitting at a stop light. The problem got worse over the next week and eventually the idle would bounce between 400 and 1,500 RPM's and sometimes even stall out. I did a lot of searching on the net for a solution and I tried several things. I replaced the air filter and cleaned out the air box. I replaced all the wires and the plugs (correctly gapped). None of these solutions worked untill I cleaned out the MAF. After the MAF was cleaned, it started running ok, not great, but ok. Unfortunately it still idles somewhat rough, the needle still bounces a little bit and the problem has been getting progressively worse again. It seems that cleaning out the MAF was a temporary solution, however, it is getting worse and I am worried that it will get A LOT WORSE when winter comes around. What else might be the cause of this rough idle? What kinds of things can I do to tune up the car and help it to run better? Is it possible that the fuel injectors are the cause, and how difficult is it to take them out and clean them up? Any help that people could give would be greatly appreciated, I am a student at Plattsburgh State University in NY and I depend on my car to get me to-and from class everyday because I am several miles away from the school. Please help!

[boschmann]

How did you clean the MAF? Is the check engine light on. You might want to clean the throttle body, particularly the throttle valve. To do so just remove the rubber air intake tube coming from the air filter so you can see the throttle valve. Open the valve & clean inside & out with throttle body cleaner & a toothbrush.

[vwjetta808]

is check engine light on? loss of power?

[zeek1403]

Another thing..... in the air box, was there any engine oil? Even on the hose that goes to the box? If so, this could be a major PCV valve failure and it is taking the energy away when it wants to.

[dj smurf]

jetta dont have pcv valves check the lines (return lines) from the engine to the intake hose right before the throttle body if dirty like crazy get a breather filter