Yes i know, but I don't think I read the posts b4 I took it threw. But i did all that now and i'm doing it right for this free time. So its not a big deal ok! I'm taking the advice now. I changed the filter, fixed the leak, and i'm going to do a compression check tomorrow and then take it in to a shop.

Cool. Tell us what happens.

 

cough cough alcohol cough

 

If all else fails anyway

Matt, your on the right track. And im sorry for the way I reacted in the past. You need to make sure at the very minimum you've done a complete tune-up. If the plugs are old, replace them. Cap and rotor included. Here in California, they'll fail you if your timing is out of spec, so im not sure if the timing trick will work. Count yourself lucky you get free re-tests. Here, if you fail, you have to pay MORE the next time. And if you fail and the car is too much of a gross polluter, then they mark it in the computer and the DMV charges ALOT more for you to re-register the car.. no matter how clean it runs after its tested.

 

Keep on it.

 

-Brian

Appology accepted. Ya I checked the plugs today there in nice shape, there NGK's and they are not fouled up or anything. I might need to get a timing light tomorrow. And we do have a compression gauge.

When you do the copmression test, remember that a turbo engine will have lower numbers then a non-turbo. The key thing is that all of the cylinders have similar numbers.

hee hee I know, i'm not that dumb. I know alot about engines, just not good at working on em! yet...

I bet that air filter was the main culprit, it's worse than mine lol! I'm thinking about just taking a blow gun to mine for now.

Matt, when you get that timing light (you could borrow mine next weekend when I get back from Portland), check all four cylinders for consistent spark by putting the clamp on all four ignition wires one at a time. This is an easy way to check for a mis-firing cylinder.