#4 Piston Misfire

[cbw]

I very seldom have to get on this forum because I have been so lucky with my Alero. Had a lock issue way back and you guys nailed it. When I went to the dealer and told him what I thought was the problem he looked at me like, "OK little lady, what ever you say." Of course I was right because you guys helped me sound smart. Thanks.

I think I have a big problem now. Last night when I parked my 2000 v4 Alero in the driveway she had been driving fine. When I started her this morning she was extremely sluggish, had the most awful sound and was acting like it wanted to stall. Started driving up the street and she had very little power. My husband hooked up his diagnostic gizmo and the code came back as "#4 piston misfire". I'm sorry but I'm not sure how many miles, a lot because my job requires me to travel.

My reason for this post is; can anyone give me any advice or heads up about this issue before I take her to the mechanic. My husband is very mechanical savy (he is why she was running so well, oil changes regularly, rotating tires, replaceing the brakes, etc.) but this one has him stumped.

Thanks for any info you can supply.

[leviathan1888]

Hey guess what...
This happened to me lol!
I had a misfire in #2 piston. It happened RANDOMLY and I have a 99 2.4L.

New motor...Its most likely going to be a shot engine. I have been told 2.4L engines shoot out randomly a lot. Yet again this is what I did and for my car, so do not take my word for your car.

[[ion] C2]

Originally Posted by cbw

my 2000 v4 Alero

LOLLLLLLLLL

[[ion] C2]

Originally Posted by leviathan1888

New motor...Its most likely going to be a shot engine. I have been told 2.4L engines shoot out randomly a lot.

Unbelieveable.

It's misfiring, oh shit the motor is shot/blown, go buy a new engine.

REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS and see what happens. It's just a misfire, big whoop. Anything could cause it. How old are the plugs? Just replace them and see if that solves all your problems. Be sure to take a look at them and tell us what color they are and/or post up pictures.

[Redog]

How old are the plugs and wires?

Probably don't have to ask that one since your hubby is good with this kinda of stuff. My wife and I have 3 cars and I have to keep them all running, so I know how hard is can be sometimes.

GM claims that the plugs can go 100K before being changed. A lot of us doubt that one. We did just have another girl on here have a problem with a 3400 Alero similar to yours and it turned out the be the coil pack.

Fuel filter could be clogged too, but I'd look at the ign system first

[[ion] C2]

Originally Posted by Redog

wires?

no wires lol

[Redog]

Never worked on a 2.4 twin cam

That's better if I'm right. single coil packs, cheaper to fix

[cbw]

Thank you. That's what my husband said he thought would be the first thing he would do. Elimination.

[-Alero-]

Originally Posted by Redog

Never worked on a 2.4 twin cam

That's better if I'm right. single coil packs, cheaper to fix

you worked on a 2.5 twin cam though

[Redog]

^^ I have ?

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by Redog

Never worked on a 2.4 twin cam

That's better if I'm right. single coil packs, cheaper to fix

The IDI (Integrated Direct Ignition) consists of the IDI cover, control module, coil housing, two (waste-spark) ignition coils (with contact springs) and 4 spark plug boots (with contact springs).

[pawzbear]

yah your plugs have probably eaten up your coil packs. Get in the shop asap, ask for new spark plugs and for them to check the coil pack. 99% likely the coils are shot as well.

It can be driven, but probably will stall out easy, and of course run like a dog.
It will get worse pretty quickly.

[01silveralero]

Originally Posted by pawzbear

yah your plugs have probably eaten up your coil packs. Get in the shop asap, ask for new spark plugs and for them to check the coil pack. 99% likely the coils are shot as well.

It can be driven, but probably will stall out easy, and of course run like a dog.
It will get worse pretty quickly.

omg pawz ur thread skimmer....its the 4 cyl not v6 so it has NO COIL PACKS

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by 01silveralero

omg pawz ur thread skimmer....its the 4 cyl not v6 so it has NO COIL PACKS

Uhh, have you worked on the Twin-Cam... It has 2.

[Redog]

^^^^ HA HA HA

OWN3D!!!

[Cliff8928]

Redog, you enjoyed that way too much...

[super white alero1]

Mifire

[[ion] C2]

good info, but the actual solution for that person was a rocker arm problem and the I4s don't have rockers lol

[super white alero1]

Sorry here's my own troubleshooting method.

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

good info, but the actual solution for that person was a rocker arm problem and the I4s don't have rockers lol

Well, the Twin Cam doesn't. The ecotec has a type of rocker though.