What Happened:
I was driving to school this morning and my car was running as good as it always has, no new squeaks or rattles or knocks. About halfway up one of the hills that my car has to downshift on in order to get up, my car suddenly begins running differently, loses some power, and starts to vibrate. I checked my oil pressure and water temperature (both were in their usual places) and limped up to the top of the hill where I could pull over. Once i got stopped it seemed to me that I now had a dead miss. When I give it gas it stumbles some and doesn't gain RPM's as quick as usual and the sound of the exhaust is different (like a miss). I drove the car back home with it running like crap and all the engine vitals stayed where they usually do. Also, my Mom tailed me home and said that my exhaust smelled strongly of gas.

Possible Clue:
About two months ago my car began running 5-10 degrees hotter (195-200) than it ever had before (190).

Our Diagnosis:
Me and my Dad talked it over and to us it doesn't make any sense to suddenly lose a spark plug and/or wire. The set that's on the car is fairly new but we will still explore that route. Since the exhaust smells like gas we think that would rule out a bad injector. He seemed to think that a blown head-gasket is a possibility. Any other idea's?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

You should pull the spark plugs and see if they show signs of fuel,oil,water,heat fouling. It is possible for one of the plug wires to have become unseated from the connector. Look at the cap and rotor as well, internal fouling on the terminal point is also possible. Then double check vacuum lines for cracks and, or breaks. These type problems can seriously affect fuel pressure regulating.

 

We will be checking everything spark related. I wouldn't have thought of a vacuum issue though. Thanks