baalpeteor

Ok here's the scenario...

I brought a 93 altima gxe off a gurl. it has 180k or s omiles on it. When we test drove it , it checked out ok. she thought it had a bad wheel cylinder and alternator/alt belt but those were brand new, along with new tires. The engine was clanky wet sounding.

After getting my personal mechanic to take a look, it seems to have been the timing chain "protector" (that metal over the chain that just i guess covers it from.. i dunno... super secret water for those who dont use a valve cover?) was broken, and was just sitting on top. After removal it was quieter. The noise now is from a bad pulley I believe... but anyway onto the real problem!!

It has been idling rough. At stops on brake the car rpm needle wouldn't stay at 700 like it should. it would shake some.. then fall to 500 or lower.. and come back up. Many times it kills. Usually it didn't kill in traffic as I would keep one foot on the brake and one on acceleration to keep it up to 700/1k rpms. People have told me to change the MAF and oxygen sensor. I changed the oxygen. It sounded like it was doing better for a week. After a week, it killed while driving on brake and wouldn't start. It doesn't sound like its starting now. It has like this spindle kinda sound now, which isn't the normal starting sound. The engine isn't turning over or nothing. The car IS getting fuel (we checked the new fuel filter i put on a few weeks ago, and fuel was coming out of the hose) and the spark plugs are getting fire. There is a new oxygen sensor. I didn't change the MAF yet as I didn't think I have to now. There's a tornado in the air intake (although that is irrelevant).

Another note: when i changed the oxygen sensor it ran better once the a/c stayed on seems (maybe its all in my head). It always started with no problem, usually instant. The battery cables are secure. The engine looks ok under the valve cover. Fuses checked out ok.