[JoBeAQuartz]

2.0l GL with a cyl 2 misfire. When driving regularly, the car does just fine. However, if I start in first gear and accelerate as much as I can, the car will occasionally just lose power as if the throttle is closed. This normally only turns into a problem when I reach 5th gear, because even with the pedal all the way to the floor, the car will refuse to accelerate unless I drop to 4th gear, and if I stay in neutral for too long the engine will actually die, so I have to downshift pretty fast without rev-matching. What could this be? I'm kind of upset, with how much work I put into the car, because I really like it, but it just doesn't drive as well as my zetec escort.

recently done work:
head gasket: done myself
timing belt: done by professional
tune-up: done myself

 

[.7065]

So did you get the head machined when you did the head gasket? Also sounds kinda like a fuel pressure issue but you have a misfire so I would start with checking the coil pack, plugs and wires for problems

 

[Rockerchick]

Have you scanned for codes? When did the problem start? Before or after the work was done?

 

[JDub8]

Did you try a leak down test?

 

[JoBeAQuartz]

So did you get the head machined when you did the head gasket?

I couldn't, which I know is a big no-no, but it didn't start doing this until after I redid my head bolts, which actually made the misfire better. I also broke a vacuum line while doing that which I fixed. I replaced the spark plugs, wires, and the coil pack.

 

[JoBeAQuartz]

Have you scanned for codes?

Yes,the only code is P0302

Did you try a leak down test?

I have not, I'm still kind of new to mechanical work.

 

[JoBeAQuartz]

Also, I'm not even 100% sure it's a loss of compression. I don't have a compression tester.