[JR_NYC]

Maybe someone out there can help me out.

So after driving my car for about 45 minutes this morning I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts. I came out after about 15 minutes and tried starting my car but had a very hard time getting it started. It would turn over without hesitation, idle roughly at about 400 rpm for 1-2 seconds and then die. The engine temp was just below the 1st line/operating temp. I tried starting it about 10 times, waiting a few minutes between attempts. Finally, on my last attempt it idled for about 5 seconds and then I gave it gas and held it at 2000 rpm or so for about a minute. When I took off the gas, the car went back to its "normal" idle which is about 700. I was then able to drive the car all the way home without incident, praying it wouldn't die while in line at the toll booth.

Other relevant information:

- Until about a month ago, the car started effortlessly and when cold would idle at about 1200+ until it warmed up. Once warm, the car idled smoothly (not lumpy) at about 900.
- One day, I stopped to get gas. When I restarted the car after filling up the car began idling at about 500 and was lumpy. There was something noticably different, like something suddenly went out. I turned up the idle screw to raise the idle to ~700.
- Ever since that time, the car has idled low and lumpy (not hunting though, just a bit rough) and when it's cold it idles at about 700-800 max. But even so, it has never died when cold.
- Otherwise the car runs perfectly.

Any ideas?

I guess I'd better order that Bentley manual. And a AAA membership.