The idle problem I was having got so bad that when I tried to start the brick yesterday it just stalled. I could rev the engine, but once I let off the gas it would shudder and quit. I did a deeper analysis under the hood. I pulled the new flame trap off, checked and tightened it on, checked the air filter, checked the hoses and everything seemed ok. There was one hose that seemed loose though. It was attached to this white and black plastic cylinder:

I’ve been researching and haven’t been able to figure out what this thing does. I pulled and reattached the hose, wrapped it in duct tape and fired up the engine. No stall. I drove all day today and had no idle problems at all. It seems the problem had to do with air intake/vacuum leaks, but I can’t tell if it’s because of this part, or somewhere else along the line. Whatever. Runs strong now.

Over the years since I bought the Brick I’ve become more and more sensitive to the odd noise from the hood or strange feel from the gas pedal. I don’t always act on these things, but at least I’m becoming more aware of the quirks and problems before they get much bigger.

Right now I’ve got some weird idle issues. A couple times its idled high, a couple times it’s idled low enough that it threatened to stall. I know I have an oil leak somewhere in the front of the block, but it’s not draining too much oil. Maybe 1/2 a quart a month. I’m wondering though if that oil is draining into the timing belt. The belts squeal when it’s cold.

Or do I have an air intake/ vacuum problem? The trouble shooting guides point to the air mass meter, air filter, throttle body, etc. As I have a clean throttle body and a new air filter I wonder if there’s a leak somewhere in the line, or if I need a new AMM. Whatever it is, it’s another, new issue after just finishing the tranny problems. What a PITA.

UPDATE: After digging around under the hood, everything is back to normal.