5 cyl. lumpy idle

[Jim Griffin <JGriff@pobox.com>]

The Car: QSW - 5 cylinder engine

The Problem: After sitting for a bit (i.e. enough to cool down), the car
starts okay, but the idle is real lumpy... to the point where it wants
to die out. If I give it some gas, it hesitates a bit, almost coughing
out, then it catches and revs fine. Once it seems to warm up a bit, it
idles okay. Once I drive it, it runs fine, and idles okay at stop lights
etc. If I restart it warm, it is okay.

FWIW, I cleaned the engine compartment yesterday, with Simple Green and
a garden hose. I didn't blast the engine compartment, but... did
something get wet or rusty or whatever that might have caused this? If I
recall correctly, after washing it, it started, idled, and ran fine. It
wasn't until this morning that it began doing the above. (FWIW, if I
recall correctly, when I took it for a drive after washing it, I heard a
high-pitched whine... kinda' like a turbo.. or a buzzing. I don't think
I hear that noise now.)

Or... is it a matter of coincidence, and my ISV is finally shot? How do
I tell? Would a bad ISV only show signs at startup, or all the time
(i.e. at stop lights with a warm engine)? If it's the ISV, approximately
how much for one?

Anything else that could cause these symptons, at 101k miles?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I'm still unsubbed, so please CC: me if you post a response to the
list.

--
                     Jim Griffin
                 ICQ # 1315286
               JGriff@pobox.com
           http://pobox.com/~jgriff
     http://wwp.mirabilis.com/1315286
'92 Audi 100S - '87 VW Quantum Syncro
 "Perception is often stronger than reality!"
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