Cylinder 2 misfire...

[666_speed]

I gimped the car back to town and had the codes scanned and came up with a misfire in the #2 cylinder. At first I didn't think it was an engine problem because in neutral I can rev it up without a problem and everything sounds fine with no miss or anything but in gear it sputters like crazy. A misfire could be caused by what all? A bad injector, bad plug, bad wire, burned valve, bad coil pack...is there anything else? With the engine running fine in neutral and the problem instantly starting, does anyone else think it might be the coil pack? My uncle suggested it might be the coil pack, but since it controls 2 cylinders wouldn't it show a misfire in multiple cylinders? I'm lost as what to do next, any help would be great. Thanks! BTW for anyone who doesn't know it's a 98 3.8l if that matters.

[FormulaLT1]

a bent pushrod or sunk lifter can also cause that but pretty much all the causes you stated are also very possible. Could also be some built up carbon deposits. I suggest you try some seafoam first, then try changing the plugs and the inspect the wires or switch that wire for another cylinder and see if the miss code changes to the other cylinder. Then pressure clean the fuel system via the rail. Then if you still have a issue its probably something a little serious.

[666_speed]

I highly doubt a bent pushrod but I could see a lifter as a reasonable thought. It's sounded like a lifter has been making some noise for the last 20k miles or so but it never got any worse so I didn't pay attention to it. Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!