'97 P0303 (3rd misfire) but replaced plugs/wires

[caveman017]

I got the P0303 error on my 97 Camry 4cyc. Took it to AutoZone, they scanned and said it was the 3rd misfire. Got new plugs and wires, changed them out, no difference. Put old wires back on, same thing (to save the $65 on wires)

What now?

[92ES5sp]

Spark + Fuel + Compression. Check the other 2
Use only Denso or NGK plugs

[caveman017]

Originally Posted by 92ES5sp

Spark + Fuel + Compression. Check the other 2
Use only Denso or NGK plugs

how do i check compression?

[96CamrySport]

buy a compression tester that screws into the spark plug hole. take your spark plugs out. pull the fuse to your fuel pump (not absolutely necessary, but a good idea), put the tester on one cylinder, hold the gas pedal to the floor and crank for about 5 seconds. The tester will show peak cylinder pressure and all 4 cylinders should be the same. Truthfully, your problem is more likely to be fuel. Do you have a rhythmic low spot in the engine sound? a constant feeling of being tugged back while cruising or accelerating? these would indicate a dead miss. an intermittent or soft miss would be harder to diagnose.

[caveman017]

Originally Posted by 96CamrySport

buy a compression tester that screws into the spark plug hole. take your spark plugs out. pull the fuse to your fuel pump (not absolutely necessary, but a good idea), put the tester on one cylinder, hold the gas pedal to the floor and crank for about 5 seconds. The tester will show peak cylinder pressure and all 4 cylinders should be the same. Truthfully, your problem is more likely to be fuel. Do you have a rhythmic low spot in the engine sound? a constant feeling of being tugged back while cruising or accelerating? these would indicate a dead miss. an intermittent or soft miss would be harder to diagnose.

I've had the same tank of gas for a week or so and have about 30% left - Shell brand fuel.

When I put it in nutral, i can feel the car vibrate a bit, but if i put my foot on the break when in drive/reverse, the whole car shakes.

I also feel a loss in power when accellerating

Its like the sound is deeper then usual

I'm probably just going to take it in tomorrow as my dad's just getting pissed about it (as well am I - yr ago spend $450 on new struts+mounts, last fall spent $250 on new tires, now another 200+ on this.. its almost a thousand into a $3000 car)

[Eye8Pussies]

check for vacuum leaks- they can cause massive misfires- it'd usually be random, but it can also be isolated

[96CamrySport]

yep, you've got a nasty misfire. my prediction - either your injectors are clogged, esp #3, or you've got a burnt valve. just my bet. and remember - all cars cost money. be glad you don't have to come to the jag/rover dealership where I work - ouch.

[caveman017]

Something I forgot. It was fine on the way home and everything, no problems. I then go to leave for dinner and it happens as soon as I start my car

[caveman017]

Okay, i'm clueless. With JUST new plugs, I go to start the car this morning and drive to my mechanic... and its fine. Why would the problem persist last night, yet this morning go away? I drove around for about 10 miles and nothing

[ShadySport]

Originally Posted by caveman017

Okay, i'm clueless. With JUST new plugs, I go to start the car this morning and drive to my mechanic... and its fine. Why would the problem persist last night, yet this morning go away? I drove around for about 10 miles and nothing

possible bad ignition coil?

pull all the plugs and see which ones are wet.

[CrawlingEye]

I don't think the ignition coil would be causing the issues he's experiencing. If I'm understanding the code correctly, he's misfiring in cyl #3 (not all of them).