Just started happening, car was perfect before last Friday. so perfect that I jinxed myself by marveling at how excellent it was a few weeks ago, 137k all my driving. 
Here are the symptoms:
Runs fine until warm
When warm, REALLY rough, seemingly un-drivable
CEL flashed a bunch of times
Doesn't seem to be overheating, but did overheat once about 20,000 miles ago when the water pump gave out.
Took it to autozone. No codes stored according to them.
Took it to a mechanic, claims #3 and #6 cyl misfires, says I need a head gasket and to have the head machined, etc. that I blew the head gasket. $3,300 including 20+hrs labor and getting the head machined. Claims he did a leak down test and #3 and #6 are really low on compression, but provided no documentation. Charged $70 for diag,which I understand to be really low if he did a leak down test.
Plugs are the AC-Delco, replaced maybe 10,000 miles ago (by me)
Coolant looks as expected, clear, reddish pink, no milk or floaters
Oil looks as expected, clean as a whistle, no froth/milk
Took off resonator and it doesn't look like the plugs had been pulled since I pulled them. None of the nuts had the dust knocked off of them that you would expect after being exposed to a socket. Wondering whether the mechanic is reliable or not. His shop was empty on a friday afternoon, and he's a new player in town.
I've pulled the TB. Yes, it's dirty. Cleaning it today.
I've pulled the CPAS. Only the furthest screen had any oil on it, oil was clean. The plastic part of the CPAS was caked with black stuff, looked like dirt and oil. Ordering the Dorman one from Amazon maybe?
I don't have a code scanner,,,willing to buy one if someone will recommend a good one that is cheap. I have a bunch of laptops so it doesn't have to be bluetooth.
Any other ideas on what I might check? I can't imagine the problem being a blown head gasket given the state of the oil and the antifreeze.
Really scared to drive it, so a 2nd opinion at the dealer will be a tow-in job.
Here are the symptoms:
Runs fine until warm
When warm, REALLY rough, seemingly un-drivable
CEL flashed a bunch of times
Doesn't seem to be overheating, but did overheat once about 20,000 miles ago when the water pump gave out.
Took it to autozone. No codes stored according to them.
Took it to a mechanic, claims #3 and #6 cyl misfires, says I need a head gasket and to have the head machined, etc. that I blew the head gasket. $3,300 including 20+hrs labor and getting the head machined. Claims he did a leak down test and #3 and #6 are really low on compression, but provided no documentation. Charged $70 for diag,which I understand to be really low if he did a leak down test.
Plugs are the AC-Delco, replaced maybe 10,000 miles ago (by me)
Coolant looks as expected, clear, reddish pink, no milk or floaters
Oil looks as expected, clean as a whistle, no froth/milk
Took off resonator and it doesn't look like the plugs had been pulled since I pulled them. None of the nuts had the dust knocked off of them that you would expect after being exposed to a socket. Wondering whether the mechanic is reliable or not. His shop was empty on a friday afternoon, and he's a new player in town.
I've pulled the TB. Yes, it's dirty. Cleaning it today.
I've pulled the CPAS. Only the furthest screen had any oil on it, oil was clean. The plastic part of the CPAS was caked with black stuff, looked like dirt and oil. Ordering the Dorman one from Amazon maybe?
I don't have a code scanner,,,willing to buy one if someone will recommend a good one that is cheap. I have a bunch of laptops so it doesn't have to be bluetooth.
Any other ideas on what I might check? I can't imagine the problem being a blown head gasket given the state of the oil and the antifreeze.
Really scared to drive it, so a 2nd opinion at the dealer will be a tow-in job.
