Another idling question...Mazda 323

[brother chris]

Hi all. I posted a few weeks ago about a car that I got. 1989 Mazda 323 1.6 litre.
History of car: My friend who owned it before said he replaced the distributor (so that could be an issue). When it idles, it will idle around 800rpm - 1500 rpm. It will idle at 800rpm for 5 seconds, then idle at 1500rpm for 5 seconds. It keeps doing that all the time. Besides that, the car runs fine.
Although the other night I took it out for a drive and from a dead stop, I revved it up and tried to spin the tires. Right after I managed to spin the tires, I slowed down a bit, then the car sputtered and died. I pushed the clutch in and started it, but it keeps sputtering and dies.
So that being said, if you cold start the car, it will run fine. It still has that idling issue, but it does not stall. About 10 - 15 minutes after driving it, it will sputter and die, constantly.
I'm not going to buy a manual for it, since I am selling it in a month (when my cousin is done using it. If it will run properly). I was hoping for a quick fix. If I can't fix it for cheap, I'm just going to junk it.
There is no engine light on.
Does anyone have any ideas of where I can start?
Thanks for any ideas.
B.C.

 

[Mike V]

Re: Another idling question...Mazda 323

start cleaning sensors, and it may be a failing oxygen sensor.
I'm a Nissan/Datsun guy but (MAF may be dirty, close or in airbox)

Just to throw out a few things; run a can of Sea-Foam thru it also to clean the crap out of it.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Another idling question...Mazda 323

Thanks Mike. It's a good thing I have another spare car just like that one. I can take the sensors off that motor and swap them out. Maybe it can be figured out that way. Those sensors sure are expensive to buy new!!
I just put in a new fuel filter and it still hesitates and wants to die, but not as often as before.
I think a can of Seafoam is warranted here

 

[dolluper]

Re: Another idling question...Mazda 323

IAC sensor check {idle air control}.....dirty plenium clean......vaccum leak possible at vaccum advance or somewhere else .....bottom gear on distributor

 

[brother chris]

Re: Another idling question...Mazda 323

When I have time this weekend I plan on taking the sensors off the other car.
Thanks guys!

 

[dolluper]

Re: Another idling question...Mazda 323

Don't forget what you did with your chevy.....almost the same here