Engine almost dies when I put it in gear.

[jcmtbfreak]

I put it in gear and it doesn't seem like it revs enough before the tranny engages and then it almost kills it, but it hangs on. Barely! Any ideas? The idle occasional has issues as well. I posted about the idle issues awhile back, didn't do anything (namely cause I was told to check the fuel pressure regulator...but I have no idea what it looks like) then this engagement problem cropped up. Seems to do ok if I drive it a little ways, then change, doesn't always struggle, but upon the intial couple of transmission engagements (like backing from a parking space, then going forward), it has issues. I've listened for vacuum leaks, but havent gotten a vacuum pressure gauge. That, and honestly, I'm still learning about all this stuff and wouldn't know what all are vacuum lines and what aren't. Any other ideas as to what could be going on? Maybe my IAC? I took it off last year and tried to clean it...didn't seem to do anything. What about the fuel pressure regulator? I changed the fuel filter late sept, so it's in good shape.

 

[poweranger84]

the fuel pressure regulator is on the driver side above the valve cover by the firewall.
its silver with a rubber cap, has a fuel line goin one side, and a vacuum line out the other.