Hypochondriac

As I search these forums for the cures for my cars minor problems I frequently come across a post that describes something that sounds a bit too familiar. It is like trying to self diagnose your own medical problems via the internet, after a few hours of looking up symptoms and causes you could easily convince yourself you are going to die in the very near future.

So today while looking for a solution to my fuel pump issue I ran across a thread discussing overheated cats and running on one bank of cylinders. So first I am impressed that the engine will actually run on one bank of cylinders. Then I think about all the heat that comes off the exhaust system on my car and how recently it doesn't seem to sound like it is running correctly and I start to wonder "Is my car running on one bank?"

Once I sort out the fuel pump issue, how do I make sure it is running on both banks and how do I check to make sure my cat is not clogged?

 

Everything was working Friday. Drove to work and back with no issues.

 

The way down on power thing is a bit hard for me to judge. (My name might give you a clue about the kind of car I am more accustomed to driving) I would say it was some what down on power and it sounds funny, kind of put-putting like an old VW Bug.

 

How would I recognize a bad spark plug extender? I just replaced all the spark plugs and the extenders looked fine to me. On the other hand the spark plug wires look a bit iffy.

 

My extenders are black so it may be a bit harder to see but certainly worth a look.