Dying on idle

[NaturalSelection]

So my 1989 Carb 4 speed Festiva has this problem of High Idle/Low Idle dying in low gear. Basically when I start the car it will go into a really high idle until I tap the gas just right. After that it will go to a really low idle that stalls out when I go to put it into first gear. It's like when I hit the gas a pocket of air hits the engine and it dies. To counter this I have to rev it really high and then put it into gear if I don't the car will die. Not sure what is going on here. A friend suggested that I have to rebuild the carburetor. Is this true? Any help is appreciated!

[bravekozak]

Personally, I would not waste one penny on a stock rebuild. Also, I wouldn't even waste one brain cell trying to figure out the stock spaghetti mess. I would switch to a performance carb (or two). Search for keywords "Weber conversion" or "Escort conversion". Good luck. Real carbs don't need computers.

[bravekozak]

One of my favorite pictures. Two of them are sold to other members on this forum. One set is on my Festiva. The remaining set is for sale.

[NaturalSelection]

How much?

[monkeykiller1996]

my 89 had the same problem just a vacuum leak the hose came off the canister if you dont switch carbs just look around to see if there are anylines that popped off

[WmWatt]

When you start the engine the automatic choke revs the engine to keep it from stalling out. After 10 sec the owner's manual says to tap the accellorator to release the choke which should bring the idle down. Or it will come down itself once the engien warms up a bit. Mine wont' come down in winter until the end of the street unless I have plugged in the block heater beforehand. I don't know why your engine is idling slowy when warm. A trick mechanics used to use is to turn the white plastic idle screw at the back of the carb until it idels normally (750 rpm according to Haynes). That would be a temporary fix in my opinion until you diagnose why it is idling too slowly. I'd start with a tuneup, check timing, inspect vacuum hoses, spray in some carb cleaner, wipe ignition wires and cap, etc. Hope that helps.