Figured I would relay this for others.

My 97, 2.2 had been running poor for about a year. The oil light would occasionally come on at idle after highway driving and the idle wasn't quite "rough" but not as smooth as it had always been. Last week as I was driving the last 1/2 mile to the house, I noticed that it seemed to stumble slightly on acceleration. I placed it in park to check the mail and the idle was low. I parked it and when turning off the A/C, it nearly died. Later that night I went to check it out and as soon as I started it the CEL came on. As I went to drive up the driveway, the CEL started flashing so I immediately parked it. The exhaust smelled like raw eggs (very rich).

Check the plugs and they looked fine except for a little oil on the #1. Checked the spark with a tester and all cylinders were getting plenty of power. Pulled the code and it showed a cylinder 1 misfire (P0301). Replaced the #1 plug and problem solved for $7! This was the first Delco platinum plug I've ever had fail and it was about 4 years old and maybe 50k miles.

I just knew I was going to find the dreaded P0300, random misfire, and the failure would be the coil pack, ignition module or a bad lead somewhere on the back side of the engine! I immediately gave the old Crapalier an oil change and new air filter. I might even give the hail induced dimples a wash and wax soon.

I guess she's not ready for grave quite yet!


2.2 97 Cavalier......the "Crapalier"