Hey all, I've got a problem I hope you could help me out with.

Frequently, when I start up my car, my engine will not hold idle. Instead, the engine just stalls out. I have to manually hold down the throttle to keep the revs high enough to keep the engine running. I will do this for a minute or so, then the engine will hold the idle without my help. Usually, this phenomenon happens in the mornings. Seems like cold starts give this car problems.

Also, I sometimes get blue smoke from the tailpipe on starts.

Mine is a '96 Celica GT with a manual tranny.

Thanks,
Ed

clean idle air control valve

get new spark plugs....if not that you need to get better spark plug wires...it can even be that you need a new distributor....check them all....i would first check the spark plugs then the distributor, if not that do what LEWFx says...

I installed NGK Iridiums and wires about a year ago. Can't be gone that quickly? Oh well. I'll look around.

What in god's name is an idle air control valve?

ISC

It's the small yellow "box" under your TB.
IT has 2 coolant lines and a vacuum line running to it.
When the engine needs to raise the idle it opens this valve.
If it's stuck or clogged the idle won't raise.

Check it first.

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definately! mine did the same, LewFX said the same thing, I followed his advice, cleaned it (it was filthy!) and my car has started the first time, every time, ever since!

Anything in particular I need to clean this? WD40?

something like carb cleaner will work just fine.

I just used some Q-tips. but yeah, some carb/throttle body cleaner would be good.

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http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=41347&hl=

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remove your throttle body. and look on the bottom. there are three nipple things (where three hoses were attached) and there should be four screws holding the bottom section on. remove those four screws carefully! they tend to get ruined. clean everything up, put it back together, put the throttle body and intake back on, and start it up (on the first try)!