geopi@hou2e.UUCP (G.COTSONAS) (01/03/86)
Car: 1981 Omni 1.7 liter, 39,000 miles Problems: Engine misses severely, very severely; gets up to highway speed, but only with much coaxing. Especially pronounced under any load or acceleration. Friend, who is automotive guru, worked on ignition system. I now have good plugs, wires, rotor, cap. Claim is that ignition is performing well now, though we haven't had access to a diagnostic analyzer; one plug did seem to indicate lean condition. Condition of spark control computer is anybody's guess... Car runs as poorly as before, or worse. Friend (aforementioned guru) suspects carb now. A complication is in that my exhaust system came apart at the catalytic converter, and it is now patched, but not welded up yet. Questions: Is a carb overhaul in order? Could the problem be with spark advance, or computer control? Could backpressure problems related to the exhaust affect performance so severely? I realize that this information is skimpy, and diagnosis over the net uncertain, but would appreciate any wisdom about the Omni which you could share. I have had it six months, with all too little reliability.