Engine will not idle, cuts out unless I hold revs for 15 minutes

[Postdog]

I have a Vectra, about ten years old, crappy by now but still a good runner. Anyway, though it starts and runs OK, when I first start it up (it starts OK, no matter how cold), I have to hold the revs for quite a while - if I don't, as soon as I take my foot of the accelerator it stalls. Not a problem when stationary but this can happen when I'm driving (ie, slowing to take a corner) and of course, I lose the power steering too. Just lately I have had to get into the habit of staying in one spot until I am reasonably sure it will idle OK - not a problem, just inconvenient. Anyone any ide what might be causing it, or better still, how to solve it without too much expense. It is an old car,and I am loathe to spend more than I need to to just to keep it going.

[m@d h@tter]

I had this problem with my old Cavalier. Once started I had to keep slight pressure on the accelerator pedal for ten minutes or so till the temp gauge showed some heat, before moving off, otherwise it would cut out the first time I had to slow down (traffic lights near home) - what a pain!

My problem turned out to be a worn out automatic choke, which once replaced, I had no problem with.

Hope this helps.

[Postdog]

Ta for the answers. A mechanic friend also said it was probably the choke going home, but as I said, it's an old motor and I really need to replace it sometime this year, so I think I'll just have to grin and bear it for now.

Incidentally, the power steering like most cars and is affected when there is no power - ie, if the engine cuts out, sp does the power for the steering.