Possible vacuum leak?

[livelyjay]

I've got some drivability issues with my EXA, so maybe you guys can help me out.

Vehicle:1987 Nissan Pulsar SE, CA16DE, 135000 miles, with CA18DE 5 speed transmission

Problems:
1) Start the car in the morning
- Starts fine
- Sometimes it Idles rough and bounces between 500 and 800 rpms
2) Pull out of my driveway
- Sometimes the car wants to die just pulling out of the driveway
- Car has like zero power at low RPMs
- Car acts like it wants to die at low RPMs
- Shifting from 1st into 2nd, no power unless high RPMs
3) Drive for a bit on the hwy and car warms up
- Higher RPMs the car feels fine, not sluggish, has some pep
- Get off hwy and the idle is rough and car wants to die

I tested the vacuum at it reads -17 on the gauge, and wavers a little bit. I hooked it up to my 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege and it reads -22 solid at idle and -19 solid when AC is on. Any thoughts?

[ghostlogic]

HAve you tried the aerosol starting fluid trick?

[livelyjay]

No, I haven't tried that yet. I figured carb cleaner would work, but maybe I am wrong. I did some additional reading on vacuum readings and I think my mechanical timing might be off. This article was pretty helpful: http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm My gauge is reading about the same as scenario 3, but only at 17" instead of 15" as shown. I think my mechanical timing might be off by a tooth. I have to get the car in the air to replace the gear position switch, so I might as well check the timing too. I thought it was spot on when I put the belt on last year, but maybe not. Doesn't hurt to check it.

[exacyzm]

Yes you possibly have a vac leak. Check your timing though. Those kind of symptoms can be caused by dirty injectors too.