Wont stay running, Any help appreciated

[Likearock78]

1993 Festiva. Starts fine and runs pretty good when its cold, when it starts to warm up it begins to idle a little slower, and when you rev it up and let the gas off it will stall, makes it hard to drive, and noticed some black smoke. Any idea what I should check? Thank you very much.

[getnpsi]

coolant temp sensor, o2 sensor, double check timing and if it's advancing. Sounds like once it wants to go into closed loop a sensor is giving it bad info. It might also have a vacuum leak. Again once it wants to go into full computer control it cant compensate for extra air it doesn't know about.

[Likearock78]

Alright thanks for that info, I can check a few things. Anything else?

[hotfordcat]

Black smoke usually means that you're getting to much fuel or it's not being burned. Start with ignition first.

[Likearock78]

Alright. Where should I start with the ignition?

[batstiva]

Plugs, rotor, cap, wires, ignition timing. the list goes on. When's the last time the car had a general tune up?

[FestYboy]

if replacing the o2 sensor, use Denso ONLY.

[jlgreen8]

don't replace anything until you have verified it is a bad part. O2 should show a varing voltage between 0 - 1V if stuck @ ~1V then look at overfuel or under air, if stuck @ ~.1V then look for false air. In either case try to force the opposite condition (lean force rich ect), if floating in mid voltage then that ain't it.
my $.02

[Likearock78]

Not sure when the last tune up was, I just got the car for cheap and just wondering what I could check to figure out whats wrong with it. Ill start to check somethings out, im guessing its something stupid

[DrMaxwellEdison]

at least you'll actually have a good running car when you're done.... FESTIVA MADNESS is a nontreatable disease that affects all Festiva owners (At least that I've met)

[Likearock78]

Yeah I hope it will start to run good, And hope its not anything major which im guessing it isnt, probably a sensor or something. Engine light comes on too eventually.

[getnpsi]

Not a lot to these cars. If you plan on keeping it for a long time the most you'll spend on all of those items is $100 and youll be good for a long long while and have peace of mind. All of it transfers over to a b6 too

[89newb]

when mine was stalling like that i had oil in my mass airflow sensore and in my air box. ///

[WmWatt]

Another thing which can act up when the engine gets warm is a failing ignition control module in the distributor. It can be taken out and taken to some auto parts stores for free testing. If replacing bed the new module in dielectric heat transfer paste from an electonics store. It's the stuff they put under CPU's in computers. Protects the module from heat and eletricity. Also, if replacing shop around becuse they are made by one company but sold retail by many with different markups.

[Likearock78]

OK thanks a lot guys for all the help, ill see what I can do, if you think of anything else just let me know! and ill let you know what I figure out!