So what would you suggest doing. I will need to take it to a shop to have all the things you spoke of checked out. Do I ask them simply to check the things that you mentioned?
I am concerned because this vehicle is my everyday driver and at least the O2 censors seemed to be an inexpensive fix (single dad working on a limited budget)
It sounds that mechanics can be lazy at times if they fail to diagnose the problem in more detail. Knowing this, I will not be taking it to the same shop.
Coolant in the combustion chambers, would you be able to visually see that when you checked or changed the oil? I had them preform an oil change while it was being checked out and they didn’t mention seeing anything.
How would I determine oil consumption? Simply continue to check to see if it going through more oil than it should?
As far as chronic performance problems, my first thought when I felt the hesitation was a bad valve. I had an old rabbit years ago that I felt a similar thing when I was driving and it turned out needing a valve job. Would not the computer they use to diagnose the check engine light have stated that if it was a valve issue?
I appreciate the information so far, but any additional help you can offer, obviously will be greatly appreciated.
I almost forgot, what is the MAF?