If you haven't tried starting the car and pulling the valve cover cap off, please do.

BTW, a regular puller with m6 x 1.00 x 75mm+ will fit the balancer and pull it properly once the bolt is off.

Start it and then pull it? I didn't read that correctly. I loosened it, then started it and it seemed to run worse. Needless to say, the Crank sensor had no effect. Could it be out of timing?

Check your EGR valve and then do a compression test. Your starting to run out of possibilitys.

Yeah. And I've missed too much work. We're going to trailer it into a local garage tomorrow after work. I've passed the point of self-solving because I'm chasing my tail and asking questions like "Do PCM ignition controls get out of timing?"

Of course nothing but good things to say about the forum. I've learned A LOT from the "Trouble shooting and Test Procedures" section in the little time I've been here.

Thank you guys for your help and input. I'll let you know if these local boys can solve the mystery.

Uh...you already found the problem.

You should have no change when you open the pcv to allow venting. By doing so you introduce a small vacuum leak, but you shouldn't have any pressure or any extreme pulling of vacuum.

Please check the pcv valve.

If you think the pcm forgot where TDC is and the timing is off because of that, you would want to perform a case learn (crankshaft variation learn), not a crank sensor replacement.

These would be the steps I'd take to further diagnose the issue. And I have seen a case learn change the way a car idles, runs etc. Usually it doesn't appear to make a difference, but there'* the exceptions.

Mass Air Flow sensor. I checked the input voltage and pulled it out to visually inspect the 2 wires, but did nothing beyond that. $270 shop bill.

Good lord, a $20 multimeter could have done that for you. Nearly every test is in the tech info area. Think of all the money that would be saved.