2001 with 14,000 miles. Issues started at about 12 thousand miles, rough idle, 1 or two stalls at idle, and the CEL. I got the codes and read misfire on cylinders 3, 4 and another for Random Misfire. I swapped the coils around - same codes. I replaced the plugs with new ones and still got the same codes. (oh, also did the MAP whack for the heck of it) Now, the CEL blinks every time I stop and idle and sometimes while driving.

First, my question is whether or not improperly adjusted valves could be the culprit? There is a noticeable ticking coming from 3 and 4 area at idle. Sounds like valve tick but I wonder if faulty injectors could make a similar noise.

Second, Yogi suggested a compression test to determine if the valves are seating properly before I mess with the injectors. Is this something I should do before I adjust the valves as well?

Sucks because the car seems to run perfect at any speed above idle.

Thanks for any advise...

 

What codes are you getting when the CEL is blinking? My understanding is that a blinking CEL is indicative of a much more critical failure, and the car shouldn't even be driven.

Compression tests are so easy, there isn't any reason why you shouldn't do it, and a valve adjustment is always a good idea.

 

303, 304 and I think 305...I havent read them for a couple months now...just been driving it. I will probably take it in to have it looked at. Sucks cause it's my daily driver.

 

You won't get a P0305, it's for misfire on #5 cyl. Your car is misfiring bad enough to damage the cataytic convertor, that's why the CEL is flashing. You need to take the car to a qualified mechanic, or start troubleshooting yourself.

 

I might be mistaken but if you've been driving your car with the CEL blinking for months, you may be in for some surprises when you finally get it diagnosed.