I just bought my 97 2.2 manual a while ago and it just doesn't seem to have the power that it should. It kind of catches and slips in little bursts but it seems to mainly do that when the RPM's are lower. I recently gave it a tune up and that helped some. Also when the car is idling, it will idle smoothly, then all the sudden the car will kind of lurch a little and shake the dashboard.

If you could help me with any of these problems I'd really appreciate it.

 

Well when you are sitting still and the dash shakes and whatnot then stops... it's likely from the fan kicking on. As for the catches and slips.. does it happen to you a lot around 2500 when accelerating in 2nd? Usually when you are not heavy on the throttle? Reason i ask is because mine does the same thing and it's kind of irritating. It's not a missfire or anything, the car just feels like it stops making power for a split second. Replaced cap, rotor, plugs, t belt, water pump, accessory belts etc. Tempted to seafoam but I hear just as much bad as good from it.

 

It seems like it happens in more than just second gear. It has very little and spotty bottom end and once it gets up into the higher rpms it definitely feels better but still not perfect.

 

Yeah same thing here... not sure what it is. Maybe someone else knows.

 

everytime you do a tune up make sure you unplug the battery so the computer can adjust to the "new setup"

and seafoam is great, but i preffer to clean my engine internally with water, it REALLY cleans cylinders, pistons, intake and exhaust valves sparkplugs and the entire exhaust system.