Wow. Sorry to hear all that bad luck happened all at once. It definitely could have been much worse, for sure. Now, my evil plan to have you drive through the shyster mechanic's building, feigning...

We need to know what the IAC count is on a warmed up engine in Park and then in Drive. Should be 18-23 idling in Park, and about 24-30 in Drive, no climate controls turned on.

Then we can go on...

I usually look at the other end of the plug to determine its worthiness. If there is erosion, (within 1k miles) then it was never new.

If it is a metal pulley, you can drive out the old bearing to replace it. You will have to read the number off the bearing itself, and type it directly into google for results. I can't remember the...

Guys, I found a picture someone took of Bentwings. Here's what he looked like on christmas...

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He was muttering something about burning a bag of coal on a doorstep, I think.

I was referring to the EGR valve, which classifies as a subcritical component, and should not be a high priority unless the gasket has a vacuum leak around it. Everything else on your list needs...

Don't replace without testing it, that is how you got in this mess to begin with.

Looks like it was never replaced. 2-cycle-john strikes again.

What a scurvy shyster bastard. Not to mention the teflon seal in the timing cover was not replaced. I think this guy insults the...

Time to make 2-cycle-john's shop public knowledge, so we can drop off small bags on fire on his doorstep. It's standard proceedure, you know. Sounds like he didn't replace a thing.

Looks like 2-cycle-john is out of a job. Failed miserably in his work. Didn't even find a single vacuum leak, and you guys found them all. He is so fired. No worthy of his own scan tool which...

Sounds like the other guy.....let's just call him 2-cycle-john.....was in over his head. I wonder if carburetors frighten him. I just hope the vacuum and vent hoses to the distributor are still in...

There are other problems it finds, and will confirm a cylinder leakage test. My tool bill is unrealistic, though. Tons of one-time wonders at my disposal, but it gets me there. If it were a trans...

I forgot one more test: the RUNNING compression test. It is a bit of a pain to run (hot engine), but can reveal some things that can be missed on a cylinder leakage test. Lifters that are pumping...

The o2 sensor threads are 18mm x 1.50mm pitch. Find a bolt, drill a hole in it, npt tap, install brass nipple....done. Tool for life.

Measurements to take:
1) cylinder leakage test (not a compression test)
2) vacuum reading at idle (does it fluctuate too?)
3)...

I think they are doing the old fashioned "read the spark plugs" method. This is my guess. Whomsoever wields the answer, wields the power of one can of pop.

When the catalysts were replaced, was either one broken up or missing a honeycomb element? If so, a piece might be left inside the muffler to clog up one side, and lower engine vacuum. Cut off the...

There was a tool invented for the automotive oscilloscope that was basically an optical mouse encoder wheel attached to the end of a probe. The probe wheel was pressed against the belt to spin it. ...

Hmmm. "Pops in the convertor". Sounds like he thinks there is a misfire on that side. Only a gulp of air can make it pop like that, either from a misfire or an exhaust leak. I wonder if he...

The O2 sensor wires (harness side) both should present .45V on them when unplugged. Left/driver's side = Purple/White, Right/passenger side = Purple. Make sure measured readings match scan...

I was only questioning whether or not an external vacuum gauge agreed with the MAP sensor readings or not. The formula (MAP reading + Vacuum reading = Barometric pressure) should prove there were no...

Reviewing post #12......."There is low manifold vacuum. It measures in metric by the scanner and I recall about 10-11 inches by conversion. Also vacuum gage."

I am wondering if this was a MAP...

Hook up a vacuum gauge when you are done to see if it returned to normal (18-20" of Hg).

Had a 94 firebird come in with the opposite symptom yours had. It kept adjusting lean in closed loop on...

For now, it's just me and one other guy at the shop, and we are trying to keep up with demand. Basically, it's full-on resurrection season in the fall season, and ......it's fall. My boss is the...

Yep, we charge 1 hr for diagnosis, and we make sure we are correct, or no charge for the erroneous part installed. Don't know how other shops get away with it and stay in business. If we have to...