So as the title says, 97 Sunfire SE 2.2 3sp auto with a bad misfire, hard start and stalls at stop lights. 2 months ago I have replaced the spark plugs and fuel filter, about 3 months ago we had the timing chain replaced and about 3 months before that the car got a full out tune up with plugs, wires, fuel and air filters, trans fluid and filter ect....

For the last month or so its had a real rough idle at stop lights, sometimes dies if you catch a long light. Putting it in neutral at the light seems to take the load off at let it at least idle like @!#$ to keep running.

Just looking for any insight, anyone had similar problems or a direction to start in, thanks in advance!

should also note that it overheated twice and the last time it did the coolant tank was found empty, took about 1/2 gal to top it off

Ouite possibly a headgasket.



Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member

grr thats what i was afraid of, an internal head gasket leak causing it to run like crap and overheat occasionally....anyone wanna help lol

Yes it does sound like you have a head gasket going bad.. but it is also having symptoms of having a leaking fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off that goes from the air plenum to the fuel pressure regulator (at the pressure regulator) and see if you have fuel bubbling out of the vacuum connection. Most likely it will be shooting up like a fountain! a lot of these go bad and that does cause hard starting, poor performance and poor fuel economy.

check this with the engine running or not?

update on this, removed the alarm system all together and replaced the questionable battery ground wire.

car still stalls out and has a bad misfire in the low rpm range, and now i get christmas lights all over the dash. you can hear relays or the pcm or something under the pass side dash clicking as the abs makes an equally annoying sound on the drivers side. security light, theft system light, abs light, brake light, and check engine lights all on, the radio doesnt work just keeps coming on and off while im gettin what seems like an occasional seat belt reminder???

im lost here but at least its running...please any suggestions appreciated

should also note that the tach and temp gauges work but they spike randomly up and down since this