Hey, we may surprise you yet...most importantly, where are you at? We may just have help near you that can read a code or help diagnose in person

Try to get the code(*)...that will help us all tremendously.

I am in Portland Maine...I'm looking at new cars for winter driving, but I'm test driving a few and they feel like go-carts that hunt and peck for gears.

Obviously I am NOWHERE near you..lol. Maybe there is someone close enough by that can help. I am sure the club here will help solve this problem. There have been many issues of stumbling with many soultions. Getting the codes will help.

Hrm, about a year too late. Last summer I spent a lot of time in York Beach maine. Unfortunately, I don't get up there anymore or I would have certainly stopped by to help out. I suggest getting a code reader on there first to determine what that can tell us.

A couple things come to mind, however let me cover this before I forget.

PCV valve is locaked at the belt end of the motor. There is an odd looking (I think squarish) cap. It comes off..some have used pliers/channel locks to get it off.

Check the resistance between the two terminal on the tops of each coil for inconsistencies between coil packs.

Check for vacuum leaks..you mention hearing it gulping air. (common vacuum leak is under the air box, the connector from the metal lines to the charcoal canister.

Sticking with Echo SSEi'* logic check the resistance of the Taylor wires. Many here have had bad luck with them.

Autozone unfortunately can't read the OBD 1.5, Advance should be able to...remind them it'* an oddball OBD year. (On that former GM employee at Autozone .. enough said)

Took the car to an Advance Auto Supply, and I got good info.

So, I shelled out the 168.00 to replace the sensor on the spot, a tiny little piece of equipment. The problem persisted. I got the guy to hook up the diagnostic tool again.

This is what I got.
Lo and behold, I have the same error code. The guy at Advance said that if I took it to a dealer and we got the same error code, then he'd refund/replace the old sensor, as the possibility exists that the replacement might have been faulty, I suppose.

Was the code cleared when he put the new one in and was the battery unplugged for about 1/2 hour as well?

You may want to try those. While the battery is unplugged, look over the wiring to the maf and make sure it is in good shape.

NO: And...we had the engine running during the same 'start' for both diagnostics. I guess I'd better go grab a 5/8ths....

Or 8mm

Hope this helps.

10mm worked !