'98 won't go past 4000 rmp

[javatrooper]

I just picked up a "98 Malibu, 2.4 L. When you step on the gas it will rev up to 4000 rpm, then you hear a little pop or miss and the rpm will drop to about 3700, go back to 4000, pop, 3800, etc. I just replaced the coil bracket adapter because it has cracks in it. I figured it was shorting out at 4000. But, no change in performance except that (maybe) it dropped to around 3500 before resuming reving back to 4000 before I replaced the coil bracket. I'm not sure though.

I tried to check the coil resistance between the two outputs but my ohm meter seems unreliable for accurate high resistance readings. Manual states resistance should be at lease 10,000 ohms, but my meter read about 7000 ohms but I'm not sure it's correct. There were no traces of carbon or burn marks on the two coils.

I'm waiting for a remote starter switch to arrive to do a compression test. But it doesn't seems like that would be a problem. Any suggestions?

[richtazz]

If you're doing this in neutral, then it's normal. The PCM's rev-limiter kicks in at 4,000 Rpm in park or neutral.

[maxwedge]

I have to ask this, why would you try and " buzz" the engine over 4k in neutral?

[Speedy_1234]

OK Like Maxwedge said why would you try to do that and what richtazz said it about the netural it come from the dealer that to protect the engine from blowing up (in other words break the engine) anyways If you try it why the car is going about 20 mph drop it from drive to netural and press on the gas all the way down you will see that it will go past the 4,000 and it will hit the limit( please notice I do not ask for you to try this possible cause broken engine timming belt broken, piston values bended valves broken. etc not the first time but if you continue it will happen

[javatrooper]

Thanks for the heads up on the rev limiter. My friend was just explaining that to me this morning too. Just so you know, I was having a miss at lower rpm's when I got the car. It started up fine but after it warmed up it had a rough idle, like it had a miss or something. It may be gone now but it is to late to take for a test drive at the moment. Will do so first thing in the morning. Got to say though, never had a car with a rev limiter, so when testing the car after replacing the coil bracket adapter, I naturally found it quite strange that it was cutting out at 4000 rpms. I will really be stoked if I've actually fixed the car already. If my rough idle is still there, I'll be calling on you guys again. Many thanks...
Aloha

[Speedy_1234]

Ok If and when it does it again check also for vacum leaks, change spark plugs and wiring,fuel filter, air filter, oil, and check antifresze.

[javatrooper]

Follow up. Still have a very rough idle, decided to do a compression test: 165, 65, 70, 170 psi. Hoping it's just a blown head gasket. No sign of water on dipstick nor oil in the water, but hard to tell with the rust colored water/antifreeze. Who knows what was put in there before I got it.