OK its a 99 Galant 4cy DOHC. with 185000 miles it hesitates and tries to stall. the trans irraticly shifts due to loss of engine power. just like my 3.0 Montero did. coil packs are good and fuel is good, new plugs and wires 4000 miles ago. There is a slight pinging which leads me towards the timing but before I change the belt I would like some suggestions of other things to check. Diagnostics gave a generic code for engine misfire.
Thanks for any help
Dave

 

Did you check the timing w/ a light? How bout a compression test, you got a lot of miles on that motor.

 

i have the same problem with my 99 galant with 154000 i had help and was told to check the head gaskey for cracks in the coolant and oil ports ill have it timed after im done i had just replaced the timing belt about 30000 miles prior to this happening after i had a engine diagnostics test done at 130000 miles and the guytold me one cyl. was running than the rest and that the car wouldn't last past 14500 miles