Fuel Delivery Problem
 

BG Information:

The car is a 1996 Automatic Protege LX w/ 148k miles.

The Problem:

The car is running very sparaticlly. The revs jump up and down while idling and the car sputters but then levels off once you get going. The owner and I believe it to be a fuel delivery problem. The engine bay also smells of gasoline. We've ruled out the fuel pump, because a malfunctioning fpump would not clear out and being to work properly at certain rpm's, it would just stay messed up. It doesn't seem like a clogged injector either, cause it SEEMS that each cylinder is firing fine and they just poured some injector cleaner in(if that's even effective). He thinks it may be the fuel filter, but he is unable to locate it inside the engine bay, so he thinks it may be in-tank. He will be checking it tomorrow. Could it be a dirty throttle body? He said he's replaced the air filter. I'm kinda stumped. In addition to the rev dance, when you turn the headlights on/off or place more load on or off the alternator, the revs jump a little and it keeps itself from stalling. But reving the engine, thus spinning the alternator and reving it doesn't cure the problem. I dunno if the problem with the car is electrical, fuel or air really. I'm not Mr. Mechanic so I'm hoping someone can help.

The fuel filter is located on the firewall behind the engine down and towards the center from the master cylinder. If the problem is intermitent and only at idle a stuck EGR valve could be at fault. You can bring it to a shop that has a scan tool that will perform simulation tests the SEGRP can be turned up and if the vehicle has no change during testing the valve is stuck closed (also if vehicle responds but continues to run poor after opening the valve it is sticking open which is more common). I'm not sure which scan tools can do this beside the NGS and WDS tools at the dealer. Has the check engine light come on?

my car has the same symptoms, does anyone know if a snap on diagnostic tool will do some of those tests, I have one at my disposal at school

prob
 

could be a clogged pcv valve
my mech sprayed some carb cleaner up mine and cleaned it out and now my car doesnt miss a beat