92 Cavalier 2.2L, what to check next?

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wtd

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This may be long so bear with me. About a year ago one of my spark plugs came loose and caused a miss. Plug did not come out of the head. I tightend the plug up but it still has what feels like a slight miss while driving. Here is what I've replaced or checked since then.

Replaced plugs twice, plug wires twice, both coils, ignition control module, battery, TPS sensor, IAC sensor, all four fuel injectors with reman ones, fuel pressure regulator, EGR valve, EGR valve solenoid, pcv valve, fuel filter, and air filter. Catalytic converter and muffler were replaced three years ago. Crank positioning sensor was replaced two years ago. I've checked all of the vacumn lines and replaced a few.

I checked the compression and the cylinder that the plug had come loose in had the lowest compression at about 150-155. two others were around 170-175 and one was around 190. I had a shop check the compression and he got around 170 for all except for the one was a little lower. compression was still in specs according to my factory service manual.

Fuel pressure was checked and supposedly it was normal according to the shop.

I had the dealer check out the car and they said that the EGR valve was not working correctly and is why I replaced the EGR valve and solenoid. They also said that my torque convertor was locking/unlocking at higher speeds and was the cause of the missing feeling that I was experiencing. I had a transmission shop check the car out and they didn't find anything out of the ordinary.

There are no codes stored in the computer and no CEL showing. When I start to rev the engine up while its in gear, you can feel it begin to have that missing feeling. The car also has a puffing sound out of the exhaust at idle but its done this the whole time I've had the car(3 1/2 year and 56,000 miles)

Needless to say, the car is not very fun to drive. Can anyone give me any direction on what to do next? Does this sound like a valve problem? The car has 132,000 miles on it and I've owned it since 76,000 miles. Any help would be appreciated.

Wayne
 
Check the EGTs and you'll be able to at least narrow down your search to the offending cylinder. Throwing parts at the problem, as you've no doubt discovered, is far from a cost effective technique.
 
Forgive me for being stupid but what are EGTs? I must not be thinking clearly tonight. Some of the parts replaced did need to be replaced but some of the parts were from throwing parts at it. I thought by taking it to a chevy dealer that they would be able to diagnose the problem but I guess I was too optimistic. Thanks for the reply.

Wayne
 
Exhaust gas temperatures. You can use an infrared thermometer to read the temps as the gases exit into the exhaust manifold. The "odd-man-out" will be the miscreant.
 
I just installed reman injectors and I checked the resistance before I installed them and they were all within specs. I also previously installed some used injectors from another engine I had that checked out fine. None of the injectors I have used have changed how the car runs so I don't think its that.

I'm wondering if the ECM is messing up. Its still original.

Wayne
 
What brand spark plugs did you use? NEVER use bosch platinum spark plugs in a cavalier 2.2L. I have used them in my 90 and 94 cavaliers i had years ago and i have had nothing but trouble with them causing a rough idle and misfires. I replaced them with good ole ac delco plugs and it ran perfect.
 
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