Why does my car sputter when coming to a stop sometimes?

1994 GEO METRO
47,000 MILES
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JEREMIAHEDWARD
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Hello, So, I have a 1994 Geo metro XFI with 47,000 original miles. It's beautiful. It is a 1.0L 3 cylinder engine.

It does have a bit of a rough idle when coming to a stop. It has a manual transmission. Say I'm coming up to a red light and have to stop a little faster than usual (or sometimes stopping normally) I downshift 4 to 3 to 2 and then into neutral.. when I get to second gear and put it into neutral, the car sputters a bit like it wants to stall, but it doesn't.. it recovers.

New on the car: new spark plugs, distributor cap, wires, air filter, oil change and filter, and hoses.. there doesn't appear to be a vacuum leak anywhere. I'm really at a loss here! Many thanks!
Jan 31, 2012 at 7:36 PM
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FIXITMR
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
what happens if you dont downshift but just go neutral or push in clutch and use brakes to slow down?
Jan 31, 2012 at 7:45 PM
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JEREMIAHEDWARD
  • MEMBER
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Hello,

Shifting directly into neutral doesn't seem to have an effect. It still sputters. Also, I noticed that when i turn on the vents (i don't have ac) it happens... sort of sputters and bogs down a bit.
Feb 3, 2012 at 3:12 PM
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FIXITMR
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 9,990 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
sounds like possible vacuum leak. air vents being vac powered. Check the fuel pressure, EGR and PCV valves and the idle air control valve and throttle position sensor-
Feb 8, 2012 at 7:08 PM
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