they fixed it but then the car threw another ses light so I took it there this morning. They previously changed the belt and tensioner and all under warranty but now the guy said that with the multiple random cylinder misfire it must be the coil packs- then i started to think- coils are right on the top of the engine, why not check those first before you tear the engine down for a tensioner- They also put on 40 miles and left my car with no gas at all- light on and all. I cleared the odometer and took note of the mileage so I hope they aren't joyriding I think I am just too leary of shops/mechanics/dealers esp. cause I used to be one

 

the only way a loose belt would throw a light is if it actually jumped timing i would think, but im no expert

I once had a random misfire code due to a bad cat too, sensors thought a cylinder wasnt burning fuel

 

A bad cat won't trip a misfire code. But continuous misfire would cause a cat to go bad.

 

Is the idler pulley only on the IXs or is it on the VIIIs as well?

Eva01

 

good call, this was a while ago during flooding and it drank some water, i had to change the plugs not long after.