Last year my non-turbo 245 (150k miles) failed inspection, but the friendly mechanic did a "quick fix" to get it passed. Unfortunately, the data i received from the test won't be valid now for analysis. So ignore the test and if you could please tell me some of the preparations to make to do my best at the next test.
I had a rpm sensor code last spring, and so i cleaned the contacts for its wire and no codes have showed up since. I shall renew the rotor and distributor cap. The plug wires look pretty clean and durable. I'll check the gaps of the plugs. The air filter has only about 7k clean driving miles on it. I hand cleaned the small amount of "soot" on the intake throttle butterfly last year.
The car starts up fine but has a slight engine miss/shudder for about 30 seconds before it runs pretty smooth. I have never put any additive in the gas (besides a rare drygas). Should i try an injector cleaner?
One important thing i haven't mentioned is that when the battery has been disconnected, the car is slow to relearn its computer settings. Unfortunately, just after i replaced the catalytic converter 2 years ago (14k miles), the battery was disconnected on a frigid VT winter night to bring it inside to keep it warm, and the car would only sputter start for about 5 minutes of keeping my foot down on the gas and probably flooding the catalytic converter. It took the car about 3 weeks to be able to start normally again. I guess the cat. is shot and should be replaced?
Thanks for reading this far.