Low RPM's/Rough idle/Engine Work?

[illinifrever]

Hi everyone, still trying to work through everything on this site, so if this is the wrong section, I apologize.

I've got a 96 Talon Tsi with a little over 190k on it. It was a California car for the first 176k of it's life. This year was it's first winter. The last few weeks i've dealt with really low RPM's (100-200) about every other start up. Recently, it's gotten close to dying. Once I start driving though, everything runs fine and the RPM's even out around 700-800 after the engines warmed up. I assume this is a product of having a high mileage car that isn't used to cold weather, but I thought i'd get some opinions.

My other question corresponds to the 190k on my engine. The car runs great, aside from when it's really cold out. I love it. the clutch was replaced about 15k ago. I tend to baby it and not let the RPM's get much above 3k. At the same time, that's a ton of mileage. I've been reading up on how much a new engine/turbo would cost and the cost of getting my current engine rebuilt.
Would anybody recommend/advise me to stay away from any of those options? I love my DSM and would prefer to keep it over buying something new at this point. At the same time, it's a 13 year old car. Should I make a preemptive move on the engine? Or should I just keep running it and hope/assume it keeps running ok? Basically, my question is weather or not it's worth it? Thanks in advance for any feedback to either question!

 

[turbomatic]

How long since the last tune up? Id do a compression check to get an idea of what shape the engine is in. Ive seen these cars go over 200k miles when they are well taken car of and un-modded.

 

[waterman412]

i had the same proble mwith my 98 and it did dye on me me. i started it up and it ran alittle.



i changed my oil, my belt and tuned it up that night and i havnt had the problem ever since

 

[misphit]

The last few weeks i've dealt with really low RPM's (100-200) about every other start up. Recently, it's gotten close to dying. Once I start driving though, everything runs fine and the RPM's even out around 700-800 after the engines warmed up.

This sounds like your fast idle air valve... or more accurately, the lack thereof. Some people block of their FIAV or re-route the coolant lines going to the throttle body because they've had problems with it (FIAV) or they think re-routing coolant lines is a 'mod'.
The sole purpose of your FIAV is to let extra air into the throttle body to assist your car during startup. Without this function, you'd have to feather the gas to keep it from stalling upon startup. Once it's warm it'll run okay. Search the forums for more info.

My other question corresponds to the 190k on my engine. The car runs great... how much a new engine/turbo would cost and the cost of getting my current engine rebuilt... Should I make a preemptive move on the engine? Or should I just keep running it and hope/assume it keeps running ok?

Why would you want to rebuild an engine that's running great? If you haven't had the car for long, I would look into doing your timing and replacing all your belts and worn pulleys. Throw a kevlar timing belt on there and don't look back. This is not 'rebuilding' it, just necessary maintenance to give you peace of mind.