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Lets start with the mechanic's recommendation, figuring he's probably not too far from the truth- since your symptoms at least mostly can be explained by this.
Idle motors do cause trouble, BUT they don't fail that often- and it can't be all that bad if the car is running at all.
Here's what to do: remove the idle motor, thoroughly clean in with carb cleaner, and thoroughly lube it with WD40 or similar product (3-36, any light oil really will be fine). The idle motor is located under the intake, behind the distributor. It's a silver cylinder about 1 1/2 inch diameter X 4 inch long. It's got 2 black 1-inch rubber hoses going to it plus a small electrical connector. You squeeze the metal clip on the connector to pull it free. The hoses have normal hose clamps. The unit can be submerged in carb cleaner though it shouldn't be washed with water. It would be good if you can blow it out with compressed air but that's not essential.
While we're at it, and to make the job complete, get a new throttle body gasket and perform this same service on the throttle plate and housing. This is surely all gunked up too. The gasket is like 85 cents. Same instructions as above- you'll need a 13mm combination wrench (1/2 inch in a pinch) to get the three nuts off, plus a similar electrical connector and the throttle link rod (unsnap the clip at the very top of the rod with your fingernail, then pull the rod off the ball on the back of the throttle cable pulley.) Removing this first will make it easier to get at the idle motor. Check the big plastic air hose for cracks and leaks as well- none allowed!
IF any of this isn't clear, print it out- it should be obvious what I'm talking about when you see the parts on the engine.
Good luck!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE: 625K total
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