engine missing and i am stumped

[gverner]

I have a 2.2 4 cylindar 1987 caviliaer

Engine is missing: i have done the following:

Changed plugs and wires
checked for spark on all cylindars and is good
Did a compression test and got:

1 - 150psi
2 - 165psi
3 - 160psi
4 - 150 psi

I started the car to go to work one morning and it had a miss like the plugs were wet or as if a crack in a distributor (this engine does not have one but that is how it sounded)

I drove about 3 miles and it worked it its way out so I figured something was wet and it dried out. Same thing when I came home from work and again ... worked it's way out.

Then the next moring same thing but it never worked it's way out and is still running like there is a crack in the distributer.

Plugs are black and look like chimney dust is on them...

Any suggestions on the next step or item to check?

[JStumpalump150]

when i read the title i thought the engine was actualy missing, lol. i was wondering how you just lose an engine so i opened the thread and was disapointed when i found out what you ment. lol

[abaird]

Originally Posted by JStumpalump150

when i read the title i thought the engine was actualy missing, lol. i was wondering how you just lose an engine so i opened the thread and was disapointed when i found out what you ment. lol

Wow. I might suspect leaky fuel injectors that are causing a rich condition. If the car has sat for a few hours and a bunch of gas leaks into the intake runners that could definitely cause a misfire until the engine got warmed up and the misfiring spark plugs got clean enough to start firing again. I think the fuel rail is easy to get off on the 2.2s and look at the injectors for any signs of leakage.

After I typed that I just remembered that GM made a bunch of crappy injectors for a while that are really prone to stick. When the car is misfiring try tapping on injectors one at a time or even listen to see if they are firing. I use a stethescope to do this, don't know if you have one of those laying around though. I have heard of using a long 3/8" extension with one end on the injector body and the other to your ear(never tried it though) You will hear a steady clicking/knocking sound from the pintle opening and closing on a normal injector.