Never changed a fuel filter before....good suggestion though.

I'm going to Autozone today. I'm gonna change the oil/oil filter (just cause I want to KNOW the last time it was done), going to check the current spark plugs and likely buy new ones (I have the gap and gapping tool) and then pickup some Seafoam or other "pour into the gas tank" fuel system cleaner, reset the ECU and see how she does.

I'll be running high 9's by fall.

 

Well, decent start.

New Penzoil 5w30 with a Fram oil filter, the stuff that was in it was QUITE black. The spark plugs were Autolite Double Platinums that look like they'd been in there quite some time. I dumped a half bottle of Seafoam (Autozone does carry it) into the gas tank, switched to these Bosch Platinum/Iridium plugs....somehow it's both and it says they will outperform any OEM Iridium plugs, and at $10 a pop, they better. Reset the ECU and fired it up.

No CEL, seems to idle better than before already. I had the windows down and ran by the dumpster on the way out to test drive and when I got back in the car, I had to hit the gas to make sure it had not died it was so quiet and smooth. Took it for a 10 minute drive. No hesitations, plenty of stop and go, ran it up to about 60mph and it sounded fine. I think in terms of the power, I have to remember I'm dealing with a 125hp automatic, it's not gonna be "peppy".

Then I got an 03 Cobra to run from a rolling 10mph, he only had me by a bumper at 120mph. Theze spark plugs rox! (disclaimer: I made that part up, street racing is bad, m'kay?)

Overall, seems a good improvement, we'll see if it impacts the MPG since I just filled up the other day. Thanks for all the input so far.

 

Toss in my vote for the seafoam, too. I see you already put some in the tank. Use the rest of it to run through your intake (very carefully.) Your car will smoke like crazy while you're doing it (neighbors might call fire dept) but it'll feel much better after you're done.

 

# With engine warm, slowly pour 1/3 to 1/2 pint through carburetor or throttle body throat. (If vehicle is port injected slowly pour SEA FOAM through direct manifold vacuum line that will feed all cylinders, possible sources are P.C.V. valve or brake booster line.) This will pull SEA FOAM down on top of the pistons and to the back of the intake valves to dissolve carbon. Turn ignition off. Restart engine after 5 minutes. If severe carbon build up is apparent, use more Sea Foam as previously directed. Make sure exhaust is well ventilated when using Sea Foam in these various ways as fumes will be extreme for a short time.
# Pour 1/3 to 1/2 pint into oil crank case to clean rings, lifters, dirty parts and remove moisture.
# Pour 1/3 to 1 full pint into fuel tank to clean injectors, carburetor jets, fuel lines and remove moisture.
# Immediate Results: Smoother idle, increased R.P.M.'s better throttle response and improved performance. See label on can for detailed results for use in each area.

 

Ok, so dumb this down for me.

Does the first "#" mean "warm the car up, with it running, move the air filter and dump a little slowly in there. Cut the car off, wait 5, start it back up. It's gonna smoke like crazy for a bit"?

And the second "#" means "where you just added 4 quarts of 5w30.....yeah, dump a little in there too"?

 

Put it in through a vacuum line slowly.