[stevel45]

Today driving home from work I noticed the RPM go up and down by a
Couple of hundred and the check engine light blinked a couple of times.
I put in new spark plugs last week. Should I have the trouble coldes checked?
Or can anyone put there finger on this.
Thanks all
Steve

[bhayne]

I would say the plugs are the source of your problem.

Sometimes, those hard-to-reach ones are not put back properly.

1) I would pull an easy one and check on its condition to ensure the proper plugs have been installed. If it looks good then...
2) if you replaced the cap and rotor, check for cracks or arcs and shorts inside the distributer. If looks OK then...
3) Check lead wires all the at both ends (plug and distributer). I would actually pull them off, one at a time, inspect the lead condition (including the conductor insulation, the cap at each end and the metal tip for shorts and connection. Remove and check them all, then...
4) loosen and retighten each plug. You wouldn't believe how many times professional mechanics accidentally tighten a plug up to the gasket. As you should know, the gasket is designed to be compressed. Without a torque wrench, the way I do it is I get an easy accessible plug and install it first and see how much I have to turn the plug to have it seat properly. I also hold the plug wrench above the socket (not on the handle) so that I cannot torque the plug too much and strip the threads. BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU HAVE AN ALUMINUM HEAD!! Then...
5) replace the plug leads. Again do the easiest one first. You should notice, as you apply pressure to the caps, how the leads' caps snug on the plug. If this does not happen, remove lead, inspect and try again.

If you feel uncomfortable, get a good mechanic!

Good luck!

[stevel45]

Thanks bhayne