98 Chevy Cavalier Misfire (gasket, spark plug, valve, engine) - Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC -Car forums - City-Data Forum

Fern Rock · 07-22-2014, 10:10 AM

98 Chevy Cavalier was running sluggishly, then the engine light came on.

The code read misfire in #1 cylinder. Changed out all the plugs and boots (no wires in this model).

Still running rough and light is still on.

I noticed the plug was very oily and there was a lot of oil in the area. Could the oil be "drowning out" the spark plug???

Oil pump gone bad?

Chris V · 07-22-2014, 10:16 AM

Sounds like your valve cover gasket, spark plug gasket is leaking.

Replace it with a new set.. Easy job.

Nlambert · 07-22-2014, 10:43 AM

Oil pump shouldn't be the culprit. If the plug is oily as the poster above mentioned, you have a leak that is fouling out the plug. Swap the gaskets and try it again. Went through the same thing on our old Lincoln LS.

CCc girl · 07-22-2014, 12:26 PM

There was a recall for the PCM on these, it's located in a really crappy spot under the fender skirt on the passenger side fender. Look to that after you fix the oil leak.

eddie1278 · 07-22-2014, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fern Rock

98 Chevy Cavalier was running sluggishly, then the engine light came on.

The code read misfire in #1 cylinder. Changed out all the plugs and boots (no wires in this model).

Still running rough and light is still on.

I noticed the plug was very oily and there was a lot of oil in the area. Could the oil be "drowning out" the spark plug???

Oil pump gone bad?

Sounds like you have the 2.4 DOHC motor (very strong motors by the way). The plastic tower that houses the ignition coils develops cracks check that. Also take the ignition coils out of the plastic housing and check for corrosion. There are springs inside the ignition coil housing too that can have issues.

I have a bunch of old ignition parts from my 97 grand am with the 2.4. Sunfires, cavaliers, grand ams and a few other cars used these motors.

Where the orange arrows are pointing is the ignition coils. Slide them out and you will find springs in the housing. Take them out and check for corrosion down in the holes where the springs contact.

Fern Rock · 07-23-2014, 10:53 AM

Thanks.