98 taurus stall/ vapor lock

[AZ Taurus]

Car has 140,000 miles, 3.0 engine with 24 Valve DOHC, starts fine, runs fine for 5-10 miles, until engine is hot then, at red lights, the car stalls when I hit the gas. Car will start right back up on one turn of the key. It is worse if the AC is running, we can shut off the AC and car will run rough, but not die every time. Also, when I turn it off, you can smell gas odor coming out of car.

The mechanic or I have replaced air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, replaced the Air intake gaskets, cleaned the throttle body, checked the fuel pressure, fixed several vacuum leaks, and the car runs a lot better. But it gets hot, and then it still dies.

I've tried searching through the forum, but I'm not getting any ideas.
This was from July, now with problem still ongoing, I am getting code P1518 Intake Manifold Runer Control, stuck open explanation.
Will the IMRC cause the car to die when hot, and allow for gas fumes to escape from engine at shut off?
Could this also be the IAC or Mass Air Flow sensor, or fuel pump?

[shorod]

I've edited your post above to remove the formatting so I could read it.

If your car has an electronic fuel pump (it does), and the pump is working, you won't be experiencing vapor lock.

The IMRC being stuck open could certainly cause the symptoms you mention. If you live in a climate that has a cold time of year (commonly referred to as Winter), you'll have a hard time keeping your car running if the IMRC is stuck open. If they are stuck open, you may be smelling fuel due to the PCM trying to dump more fuel in to compensate for all the extra air.

I'd suggest you remedy the P1518 code first, then see how many of your other concerns that takes care of. I think you'll find getting the IMRC working properly will solve most of your driveability issues.

I think your 1998 may be the first year for the electronically controlled cable driven IMRC rather than the vacuum controlled IMRC. Don't quote me on that though. However, if you go looking for IMRC parts from the salvage yard, you'll want to understand which years are electrical/cable and which are vacuum.

-Rod