I failed.
I so wanted to sign in and let everyone know how successful I was.

I was unable to do the timing chain, which is on my kitchen counter taunting me now, because I could not break one of the bolts free. Bolt in top gear would not budge no matter what trick we tried. As it became apparent that we were at the point of risking rounding the bolt, we stopped. I'm sure air tools would have made this a non-issue, but since I don't have them, we started buttoning her up with the old timing chain still on, the shiny new one mocking me.

All buttoned up, and no coolant leak of any kind. Bled the system, works like a charm. Even threw in a new thermostat, as I purchased one a while ago when I didn't know about the "bleeding issue" and thought it was the thermostat. So, I have a new one in for good measure,

Unfortunately, I now have an oil leak. Looks to be where oil pan meets bell housing. Currently, I'll be checking my oil like a hawk and topping off, as I do not have the time or energy to break it down again and get back in there. I'll eat some more pb&j's and pay for a mechanic.

That said, while I love Tony in Exton , he's an hour away. If anyone knows of a reliable mechanic a little closer to me in Bucks County, or to my work, in Trenton, NJ, please let me know.

There's a little part of me that's hoping the leak will "seal itself" with a little time.

Oh, the agony of defeat.

Thanks for all the help and time and direction and patience you all so generously provided! I owe you each a beer :-)

 

And the hits keep coming!

Just drove to Wawa to test drive it before resuming driving for the short work week. Very rough idle.Sluggish accelerating. SES light came on. Thought maybe it just needs to "learn" a bit. On way to Wawa, SES light flashed a few times when accelerating.

Came home and got online.

Any ideas? I'm really growing tired and frustrated.

And have to return my rental at 7:30am tomorrow.

Hoping someone can lead me in right direction.

On the good side, my coolant leak is gone!

 

Going to purchase code reader right now as a first step....

 

Bought code reader. Codes are 0300, 0301, 0306

I'm going to go ahead and change out spark plugs and wires and hope that fixes it.

If anyone else has any suggestions, please chime in. I MUST drive this truck to work tomorrow :-(

 

http://enginecodemaster.com

Drive it easy...
You may put raw fuel into your catalytic convertor.
If the Check Engine light starts to FLASH.
Stop.

Too bad you can't easily disconnect the injectors to the bad cylinders.
That would stop the raw fuel into the cylinder with no spark.

I had a saab 93 that had ignition problems. I did un hook one of the injectors on cylinder #4 and drove it 100 miles with no damage!