First valve check coming up, nervous

Depends. Every oil interval debate ends the same, just do it more often than the manual says. Mostly highway or backroads?

Not my lane but If it started after your last wrench session, look there first. My two cents.

Ha, classic. In my experience, New plugs are cheap, rule them out early.

for what it is worth, A torque wrench pays for itself the first time you do not strip a bolt. Spent years fighting this, simple maintenance beats fancy parts every time.

Good question. Long time lurker here, Check the battery and grounds before you chase anything fancy.

Following this one. Real talk, Sounds normal to me, but post a short clip and we can tell you for sure. shiny side up.