Help troubleshooting a starting/fuel problem?

[burrahobbit]

Took my '88 Festiva out the road for a test drive yesterday after reconnecting the automatic choke (thanks to @zoe60 for the help on where the connection was), and broke down three miles from home. Luckily enough, it was near a mechanics house who is also a family friend. I managed to get the car going and feathered the throttle enough to get into his driveway. He's helped me troubleshoot some, but we're both unfamiliar with the quirks of these little jellybeans. I can get the car to start, but have to featherfoot the gas peddle to keep the engine revving; but as soon as I let off of it, it dies. Holding the gas peddle does no good, and the engine dies out. We checked fuel lines and filter (the filter itself rattles around inside the housing, and doesn't seem to come apart -- is that normal?). Put half a tank of gas in. Checked electrical connections... Anyone have a similar experience, or would otherwise be able to offer any advice or thoughts on fixing this wee beast, at least enough for me to get it home?

Thanks for your time.

[burrahobbit]

Nevermind, everyone; sorry to have posted this without doing a bit more digging first. I think I found the solution in another thread, but I can't figure out how to delete this one. After a choke adjustment, I got the jellybean back running, and it's parked back in it's nook in the yard. Thanks to anyone who's been scratching their head with me; and sorry to those who scolded me under their breath for not doing my research!

[WmWatt]

Yes the fuel filtre rattles around inside the spring clip which holds it to the fire wall.
I'd say it was a purposeless design feature. Maybe just to make it easer to change filtres?
If so they could have picked a better location instead.

[burrahobbit]

The filter had twisted around on the line, also, and was disconnected from that spring clip you mentioned. Seems everything I'm learning about this little jellybean is trial-by-fire! But, at least I'm learning.

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[Jblair]

I relocated my fuel filter and added longer fuel hose to lesson the harsh bends un the line. My filter is zip tied to the evap canister under the coil with a swooping fuel line as opposed the the original hard bend. That will helpyou get a straight shot of fuel, just fyi. Fuel problem i had is what made me a festiva.con member