89 V6 running rough

[chris-k]

Hello.

I've got an 89 DX V6, 171K miles, that started to run rough this morning - it feels like it's missing a cylinder, power is down a bit, and I can hear a distinct "putt-putt-putt" to the exhayst note that wasn't there. Pulling away from a stop light it sounds like an old beat-up 77 Malibu. I'm also feeling extra heat coming up from the e-brake handle gasket.

I'm planning a tune-up this weekend - plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and cam cover gaskets (they're leaking, and have been for a long time). Air filer is relatively new, oil has just been changed, temp is OK - gauge is normal. Anything I should look at while I've got this thing apart? Fuel injectors? Plugged exhaust/cat converter?

Thanks for any advice.

-=Chris

[Nick]

check the compression