Hey guys. My 01 SE has 130k on it and lately I have been noticing that I feel a hesitation when I am accellerating slowly like driving up a hill. Sometimes when I'm sitting still I feel it ideling rough. The other day I was driving on a steep hill on the highway and when I punched it the service engine soon light started blinking then it went off when I cleared the hill. Today I was driving and the light started blinking again and it was running like crap again. I also noticed a hot rotten egg smell in the passenger compartment. Does this sound like I am due for a tune up? I'm worried the smell is a clogged converter. What do you guys think? If I do need a tune up, what all does it consist of? Is there a tech info write up on how to do it? Thanks in advance

the rotten egg smell is usually the converter, the engine light flashing and the cars reaction as you described sounds like mine when my #4 injector went out. if the light is still on could you get us the codes that it is showing to better determine the issue? thanks

I would check the plugs and wires, the flashing CEL is a warning of multiple misfires that can damage the cat.

Change your plugs and wires and possibly the coils. You have a weak spark, that'* why you lack power and it'* running rough. The blinking SES light is a misfire, caused by bad spark. The rotten egg smell is unburnt gas getting in to the cat, this is caused by bad spark. Change out what I suggested and you should be fine. Also clean the MAF.

what brand plugs wires and coils do you guys suggest? around how much will it cost?

I use autolite copper. No need to spend big money on plugs. For wires, just OEM replacements are fine.

Me and Tom have had great luck with Lifetime warranty plug wires from Bosch, and then you can run pretty much any plug, but an iridium plug would last the longest.

are the back 3 plugs a pain to change like on other fwd v motors? what about the coil? what brand should I get?

They can be a pain, not as much room back there as earlier models. But still better then on a Wbody car. Stock coils are fine. Again, no gain with after market coils. In fact, some arn't even as good as stock.

I've heard that Bosch plugs don't run anywhere near as well on GM'* as other brands do. I've actually been told by several mechanics to stay away from them. A buddy of mine tried them, and 2 days later took them back to replace them with a different brand.