Engine running rough

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Jun 28, 2004
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A few days ago I noticed a vibratin in my 95 Galant (136,000 miles) at highway speeds. At first I thought it was a tire problem, but those were replaced a couple of months ago (Goodyear Regatta 2, no abnormal wear patterns that I can see). So were the wheel bearings (all of them). Then I noticed the exact same vibration at idle, which seems to get slightly worse when shifted into gear. The higher RPMs seem to simply amplify it. The engine also seems to hesitate a bit at low rpms (when taking off, or accelerating from low speeds, especially with A/C on). Overall, seems like the engine is more sensitive to loads now. About a month ago I had to replace the distributor (old ICM went out), which includes the coil and the ICM (OE unit from the dealer, along with OE cap and rotor). Also replaced the spark plugs (NGKs), wires (EXact, or whatever the cheapest AdvanceAuto house brand is called), fuel, and air filters. As far as I know, the timing is set correctly (5 BTDC per AllData manual). Basically, the car has a brand-new ignition system on it, new filters, transmission has been flushed about 6000 miles ago (along with a new filter), what else does this car want?
The only guess I have, is maybe the plug wires are making a difference, since this symptom didn't show up untill the ordeal with the distributor (before that the car was running fine with the same setup, only the plug wires were from CarQuest). Other nightmarish thoughs I have is a faulty head gasket (although I don't see any evidence of coolant in the oil, or oil in the coolant), or a valve issue (if I put my hand up against the tail pipe, I can feel a distinct "puffing" instead of a steady stream of hot exhaust air), but a compression check this weekend should shed some light on this subject. Or maybe I'll be lucky enough for this to simply be an issue with excessive carbon build-up, and something as simple as Seafoam treatment will fix it (however, for the past year that I had this car I ran 87 - octane QuickTrip fuel in it - it's a SOHC, and it just finished a tank with Redline SI in it)
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
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This vibration is beginnig to get on my nerves
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, I have to spend
at least an hour a day in this car 4 days a week.
 
Sounds like a vacuum leak.Inspect vacuum hoses and vacuum connections.Sometimes there is a vacuum reserve problem.

The fuel injecters gaskets can also become problematic causing vacuum problems.

IAC could be dirty as well as throttle/intake system.
 
If this only started after the distributor problem, I would certainly look at the ignition system first. I've heard of many a problem with cheap spark plug wires. That could be a start.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Matt_S:
If this only started after the distributor problem, I would certainly look at the ignition system first. I've heard of many a problem with cheap spark plug wires. That could be a start.

On top of things, AdvanceAuto wires are a bit longer
(this wasn't the case with CarQuest wires), and as a
result create a slight loop right by the distributor. Two wires in this loop are resting right on top of the upper radiator hose (nothing I can do about that
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)
 
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