1997
2.2L
3 Speed auto
273,000 miles
Hello, everyone!
I searched this forum for a bit and I'm leaning toward the thing that fires the coils (forget whats its called) or a fuel filter for this issue. It will run fine for a few minutes then it'll start spitting out some nasty black bits of (un- burned fuel I think) out of the tail pipe. The best part is that it goes away after a minute. It shudders a bit but if i mash the gas at any speed it quits. I replaced the spark plugs, also checked the high side o2 sensor. I'm getting a below a 44mv (not sure how to right it) consistently from the O2 sensor, checked with my All data it said something about fuel pressure and what not (haven't checked that yet) still leaning on the module that fires the coils.
Might as well answer the obvious questions too. It doesn't burn oil, the compression is decent for the mileage and I Changed the fuel filter 3 oil changes ago. Fresh spark plugs as well.
What are your thoughts? Sorry for my ignorance in advance.
-McMurrin
the 2.2 will give a general misfire code, if your ets light is on too and everything else is checking good. then its your timing chain guides. they deteriorate after about 130k. this allows the chain to jump a few links. the other clue its this is it will have happened suddenly like when starting the car. just did mine at 147k. did the oil pan gasket too was worth the extra hour...
my tip use a torch on the crank sprocket to remove it.
44 mv is very low.... it should be toggling between 200-900 mv ..... also there is an upstream and downstream o2 not a high side and low side..... a bad 02 will cause it to run very rich and blow black smoke
Erik Packard
Ignition Module or Ignitor is what some stores call the module the coils sit on behind the motor (great design GM!!!!). It is a pain to change. I have a good friend who did mine for me, but it was a very difficult piece to change as to where it is and how to get to it from under the car.
Could have a cracked vaccum line also causing the missfire condition. The hose on mine to the PCV was cracked and I replaced it and it helped some, but I may now also have a stuck or gunked up Idle Control Valve. Ordered one for it, but will try cleaning my old one. I have no more codes in mine, but we did plugs, wires, injector (#2 was clogged up), coils, coil module/ignitor, upper intake gasket and thorough cleaning and new vaccum line to the PCV.
Damon Erpelding wrote:Ignition Module or Ignitor is what some stores call the module the coils sit on behind the motor (great design GM!!!!). It is a pain to change. I have a good friend who did mine for me, but it was a very difficult piece to change as to where it is and how to get to it from under the car.
Could have a cracked vaccum line also causing the missfire condition. The hose on mine to the PCV was cracked and I replaced it and it helped some, but I may now also have a stuck or gunked up Idle Control Valve. Ordered one for it, but will try cleaning my old one. I have no more codes in mine, but we did plugs, wires, injector (#2 was clogged up), coils, coil module/ignitor, upper intake gasket and thorough cleaning and new vaccum line to the PCV.
Its easy to change the ignition control module pull the 4 5.5 mm bolts and the 7mm wire screw and replace.... also the cavalier 4 cylinders dont have and upper intake gasket they have just an intake gasket there is no upper and lower gaskets on a 4 cylinder
Erik Packard
