Ovr8ted

An update with some new problems.

I took apart the car again and re-checked clearances. Cyl 2 intake valves still felt loose so I tightened them up.

Seems like the jitter/bog at 3k RPM has stopped, although it does feel slightly less powerful in that range, but that could be attributed to my butt-dyno.

After driving for a while I had 2 CEL's pop up, P0172 System Too Rich and P0170 Fuel Trim. They don't stay and will clear themselves after a little bit, but the car definitely runs rough while the code is on the dash.

Guess I'll be diving back in a 3rd time. Will probably check compression and plugs this time. Maybe I'm just not cut out to do this kind of work so I'll be considering going to a local shop for some help.

Chuck S

Spec for intake is 0.008" - 0.010" so only if 0.011" fits is the clearance too loose. 0.010" is still GO -- 0.011" NO-GO.

-- Chuck

Slowcrash_101

That sounds like a fuel pump issue.

Ovr8ted

Final update for anyone who may come across this in the future.

It was the o2 sensors. Replaced both at the same time so I don't know which one exactly was the culprit. The pre-cat sensor was pretty fouled. The one on the CAT I threw in a spacer. I don't know how it was running without issues with loose valves, must have been extremely rich.

Car runs perfect now, no codes, no stuttering, no backfiring, no surging. ~1000 hard miles driven since replacing them

engifineer

The O2 after the Cat was not it. It's only purpose in life is to tell the ECU if the Cat is working. The primary sensor though does drive fuel trim.

GuthNW

@Ovr8ted - Thanks for taking the time to update the thread with your findings. Glad you got things worked out.