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We bought a 1985 Corolla Seca automatic about 10 years ago. It was the last of the leaded-engine models. It has had a persistent fault: without warning it will begin to idle roughly and stall, then restart without a problem. It can happen as many as six times on a trip, and it doesn't matter whether it's hot or cold. We have replaced the distributor, the carburettor and even the engine when it began to use oil. Can you help?

I would have unloaded that car a long time ago rather than put up with the frustration, and the danger, of driving a car that stalls. As for the problem, you have clearly replaced most things that could contribute to the problem. My guess is that it is a fuel-supply problem or a fuel- mixture problem. I would have the fuel pump checked, check also for fuel blockages in filters, including the filter on the fuel pickup in the tank, and check the carburettor to make sure it is adjusted correctly, particularly the float level. Finally, check for air or vacuum leaks that might make the engine run lean.

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