well...... it appears it was air AND ignition. bad throttle body gasket meant I wasn't getting adequete air. it so happens my spark plugs were completely shot too. the fuel wasn't burning in my combustion chamber, so when I went to start it it the car would flood out a little. it all makes sense now. $100 later that I didn't have...
you were getting too much air if that gasket was leaking. possibility of an overly lean mixture burning the plugs out.
Did you ever post what make, year, engine it is?Kam