Dear Keen,

Hard starts are difficult to diagnose. A lot of components in these cars contribute to the hard starts and rough idle. I know because I've been through it (during the first year when I purchased the car and most recently).

You'll learn a lot from these forum and the best part is that it gives you a better perspective of what a tech is trying to do (repair) in your car.

One question though, is the car for keeps? I'm asking because the repairs can be frustrating sometimes not to mention expensive This, especially when you don't have the likes of the stevebfl, benzmac, m.b. doc, nearby who are great at diagnosing problems related to these cars. Parts can be thrown at the car without curing your basic issue.

Based on my experience (exclude those you've already tested), here is the the list of those that may be related to your problem:

1. Caps, rotors, wires, plugs, coil
2. Air slide valve, aka, Idle control valve, Idle air control valve, idle control unit
3. OVP (the fuse may be good but it can fail internally)
4. dirty injectors
5. dirty fuel distributors
6. failing fuel regulator
7. clogged fuel filter
8. failing fuel pump and pump relay
9. ECU, aka, Electornic control unit, electronic control module, control box (do a search)
10. temp sensor
11. cold start valve
12. top engine rebuilt

I'm not a mechanic and I don't know how to test parts. At this point I cannot tell you a particular solution. I think you'll just have to go at it one part at a time. You'll need to change some, if not all, anyway given the age of the car. But I suggest that you find a good and reliable tech as this will be cheaper for you in the long run.