98 Regal misfiring sometimes

Tiny
BP7117
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 BUICK REGAL
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
A week ago the check engine light in my 98 Buick Regal came on and the engine was sputtering. Cylinder 2 was misfiring and there was almost no coolant in the car. I added coolant and was driving to the mechanic when the engine stopped sputtering, then the CEL went off. I drove 300 miles since but this morning I have the same problem but the coolant is ok. I just bought it used from a dealer 2 months ago. The plug wires look new so I assume the plugs are too but I don't know for sure. It's very hard to get at the plug for cylinder 2 in this car. What is the likely problem?
Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 AT 5:31 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
P0302 specific cylinder misfire-you should check the sparkplug/compression and injector for that cylinder
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
BP7117
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I took it to Car-X and they said; fuel injector 2 is clogged, 1 is partially clogged, they both need to be replaced, and quoted a high price. I then checked the code and now it is P0300, multiple misfires. The CEL is still on but the engine sounds ok now. I added Sea Foam to the gas to see if that will help clean the injectors. I don't know if I believe them at Car-X, it may just be plugs for all I know. What should I do next? Just drive to see if the Sea Foam works? Change the plugs? How hard is it to change the injector myself? I've done alternators and rotors/calipers from reading how to do them but I'm no pro mechanic. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 AT 9:09 PM
Tiny
DAVE'S BIG BACKYARD!
  • MECHANIC
  • 262 POSTS
Sea foam and some good gas and hope it helps, maybe tune up?
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 AT 2:21 AM
Tiny
DAVE'S BIG BACKYARD!
  • MECHANIC
  • 262 POSTS
Sorry for double posting, but if there is a plug that is real hard to get to and you have a missfire code then I would start there first. There is good chance the plug has not been replaced in a long time.
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 AT 2:27 AM
Tiny
BP7117
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the advice. After adding the sea foam and driving a few miles, the CEL went off. If an injector is totally clogged and has to be replaced, the CEL wouldn't go off, right? I'll change the plugs and try to take out the injector, to have a look myself. It doesn't sound too hard. Is there anything I should watch out for when I take out the injector or any tips? I know I'll need new o rings. Because it stopped misfiring now I'm guessing it is an injector.

Or should I just leave it for now and see if it happens again?
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 AT 2:57 AM

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