Its a 91 SI and im not too familiar with these cars. The car idles fine but when I accelerate its like one of the spark plugs is not giving off a full spark.

One at a time I changed the spark plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter and ran fuel injector cleaner.

The only note worthy thing was oil on the threads of one of the spark plugs, a black electrode and after changing the plugs it got better but still wasn't 100%.

Also after changing the plugs, when I got over 3500 rpm, the engine came to life for a brief moment.

The car sat for a week and I went to turn the car on and it would barely stay on. I changed the plugs and AGAIN the plug was covered in oil.

I'm thinking the spark plug grommets but I have doubts b/c after I change the plugs the car still sputters but (i'm thinking) shouldn't it run fine for at least a while before it fouls out?

I did a search and I think the spark plug grommets are bad causing oil to seep through the threads and not allowing the plug to get the full spark. Do you think I am on the right track or could it be something else?

 

check the ECU for any blinking codes

 

interesing that you should say that because the check engine light came on today but after I turned off the ignition, it hasn't returned. I've done this before with an obd tester from autozone but this car is older...how do I do that? Remember I'm inexperienced. Thanks.

 

pull the carpet on the pass side at the floor board and turn the ignition to on. Count the blinks. Long blink is 10 short blink is 1. your problem is probably an O2 sensor

 

look at the ecu. it will blink at you.... lol, really though. pull up the carpet, and when the cel is on, the clear plastic hole will blink red. and you might have distributor issues... like the bearings going bad. messes with timing, gets progressively worse. check the dizzy with a known good one off a buddys car

 

Just went ahead and changed the 02 sensor and that was it. Thanks for the help.