bouncing idle with a shitty twist

[dreamchasin]

i got the usual bouncing idle most experience. it will start, idle at 600 drop to 100-200 then jump up to 800. this is not the issue that's pissing me off. the issue pissing me off is, a while back i went through a semi deep puddle (maybe 2 inches deep) and like the usual water flying to the side of the car and everywhere else. My car started doing that shitty idle on startup and then when i try to drive, it will start semi normal until 1200 RPMS and above. if i take it out of gear (5speed) and rev it, it revs up fine. but when i put it back into gear i basically have to pop the clutch at a high RPM just to keep going and keep it around 3500 RPMS (ETA) in order for it to drive. if im below 3500 and i try to drive the RPMS just drop like the motor shut off (but the motor is still running) and it goes silent. thats when i have to rev to a high RPM, dump the clutch and slam gears so it doesnt do the cutout again. it does this until it is at normal operating temperature. so i drive hard so it gets up there faster.

It did that for a while and then randomly stopped one day. the other day i went through a puddle in the same exact place and it is doing it again.

i describe things shitty. so if you dont understand it well just ask a question on what you dont understand. thanks.

[qbuilt]

So basically your saying you suspect water is getting in somewhere and causing this? Why dont you look around the engine bay a bit and see if you can see what is happening.
Sometimes what works is if the issue is not currently there, is to jack up the car and spray with a hose at precise areas you think the problem might be. If you can make the car stall or sputter all of a sudden, then you found the area you need to look at.

[ZombiE30]

intake leak, probably in the bottom of the accordion boot (or anywhere.....but that's where mine was). Duct tape FTW! until new parts arrive...

....and if you're going to spray stuff to find an intake leak, use something flammable (carb cleaner) instead of water. no use getting that shit in your engine when you can just listen for an RPM jump when you find it.

[free]

I dont know what year your car is - but I had similar issues in my 88. Was the C191 connector under the intake runners. Injector harness into plug. Pulled it apart, dried it out, etc. No problems since

[jeffw]

just an idea but stay away from puddles lol theres a leak somewhere just gotta find it

[ZombiE30]

was this ever solved?
where was the leak?