Ok guys I'm stuck.

I replaced my coil packs twice in the past two months, along with new plugs, and coil pack cover. I was on my way home after getting an oil change and about a block from my house, I get a real bad misfire and had to limp the car home. I took the coils out, got them replaced, checked the plugs, and everything looked fine. I got my ICM checked out at Advanced and they said it was fine. Now I don't know what to do.

I try to start the car, and it sounds like it has a spark, tries to turn over but i don't get to start. As it tries to turn over, it pops as if it has a backfire. My cousin says it might be the timing chain. I've been doing some searching and reading on here but I'm still unsure on what I want to do. I'm getting tired of dumping money into it every month and right now, I can't afford to take it to a shop, even towing it there alone. My plan is to replace the timing chain/tension/etc. but I wanted you guy's opinion before I start. I have a Chiltons and read some threads on here so I have an idea what I'm in for.

So for the guys who had similar experiences, is it the timing chain? or an ignition problem. Also, what are the symptoms of a bad fuel pump/filter.

Also, what tools are needed to replace the timing chain.

coil packs ? 2.4s dont have coil packs.. are you gettin and engine light?

I guess coil packs wasn't the right word. But they are the two ignition coils. Underneath the IDI cover, inside the coil housing.

But no, I don't have a check engine light. I turn the key, it starts to turn over, "pops", then quits. The gauge lights flash a couple times as it's trying to turn over, but no CEL.

the 2.4 idi covers are a little tricky to get back on... make sure your sparkplug boots are actually making contact with each on of the sparkplugs.. also make sure you have the springs in the boots.. small things like that can make it a big difference. i had that happen to me when i painted my IDI cover.

Tell me about it. I spend about 20 min each time jiggling the cover around. Before I bolt it down, I check the #1 and #4 plugs and they line up correctly. It almost seems like a hit or miss type of deal with the cover.

dont forget the spark plug boot springs .. or what ever theyre called.

Let me throw this out to you. Would it be bad if someone were to put a little di-electric grease on the spark plug boot springs? That's what I did, and maybe there isn't a good connection anymore? I don't know. I wont be able to mess with it again until Thursday.

Oh,and also, what is a good method on putting the IDI cover back on?. At first, I put the boots onto the plugs first, and tried aligning it that way. I found out that it's a littler easier if I put the far right boot onto the plug, and put the other boots on IDI cover.

yea i dont use grease haha... there may lie your answer.. i forget how i do it. i think i place the boots on the plugs and work them on from the passenger side..

Well. I'll take them off thursday and clean out the spring and boots. I'll let you know what happens after that.