Misfire under load

I just noticed while driving my 97 Grand Am SE (2.4L, Manual) that it is now starting to misfire when the car is under load. And usually at lower RPM. It is also possible that it could be starved for fuel, but right now I would say it feels more like a misfire. Are there a few things that I could check to rule out a couple of possibilities? spark plugs or coils? Fuel filter? I just want to run through the basics that could be the cause before taking it in somewhere. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

with it being a 97, and with such low miles... My first guess would be something fuel related.. You might of gotten some bad gas, that may have gotten past the filter and/or into the injectors (it is possible).

Try buying some fuel treatment additives such as lucas fuel treatment / injector cleaner... they come in different size bottles... Um, I normally put 2-3 small bottles on 1/4th tank of 93oct gas to just see if I can free up any build-up/gunk that might have built up.

When is the last time the fuel filter had been changed?

with it being a 97, and with such low miles... My first guess would be something fuel related.. You might of gotten some bad gas, that may have gotten past the filter and/or into the injectors (it is possible).

Try buying some fuel treatment additives such as lucas fuel treatment / injector cleaner... they come in different size bottles... Um, I normally put 2-3 small bottles on 1/4th tank of 93oct gas to just see if I can free up any build-up/gunk that might have built up.

When is the last time the fuel filter had been changed?


I have a spare fuel filter I am going to throw at it in case you are correct. I replaced it already about 20K miles ago, but then ran some questionable fuel through it so that is a definite possibility. I will try that out and if that doesn't help should I start looking for a spark related issue?