Won't hold idle without pressing gas

[jeffw]

My car won't idle correctly unless I keep my foot on the gas. IT just dies. Any ideas? Happens warm or cold.

[oliver.r]

vacummmmm

[jeffw]

damn it that's what I was thinking

[StereoInstaller1]

Basically, he means you suck.

[oliver.r]

check your boot first

[jeffw]

Suck It luke lol

[jlevie]

Intake leaks. Gross leaks can be found by visual inspection or car cleaner, but the real diagnostic is to have a smoke test run.

[soko]

Could be three things idle control valve , vacuum as stated above or a warn cam

Try taking the plug off of the idle control valve it's an aluminium looking cyclones the size of a miniature coke can on the back of the engine towards the dash board start the car and see if it idles don't drive it like this I tried it and it felt horrible and lumpy to drive but idled perfectly.

Vacuum I sprayed the engine bay with a can of easy start with the car running if the revs increase then it's a vacuum problem.

The signs or a warn cam( which I'm not to clued up on) would be the car not revving about 4700 revs

I forgot one last thing it could be is the mass air control meter on your air intake when testing this you'll need to get the kid off and start the car then as soon as you touch the gas pedal the circular gauge in the mass air flow unit should turn if there is a delay you can adjust the wire to suit your gas pedal. If you try this be sure to seal that lid back on as best as possible any air leaks will make the car worse.

Best of luck

[jeffw]

I actually just replaced the ICV I am thinking its a vacuum leak. I will start with the boot then the lines

[jalopi]

warn cam

Da fuq is a warn cam... you used it twice, so I'm gonna assume you didn't misspell 'worn' cam. I would imagine if a lobe or two was gone the car would run like ass, non stop though.

Try making your own smoke machine... if you've got any leaks, they'll show up with this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=461116