Replaced balancer, crank sensor and cam sensor. Carefully Thought everything was good till CL came on, again and I could feel the misfire. Idles great, starts greats and if you ease into it, runs great. Try to really get on it and it stumbles and CL light comes on. Its going into the dealer tomorrow for a code scan since they are charging the same as any other shop and they may have more insight if it comes up as a crank/cam sensor problem again. So, I was thinkin. What is the relationship between the cam and crank sensor? With a 193k on the engine, I suspect (and surmise) the timing chain maybe worn out causing whatever relationship between the cam and crank sensor to go sour and cause the misfire and CL light.

No vaccum leaks, good wires, Delco plugs, new coils, ICM fairly new, ditto with EGR. Manifold been replaced and there is no loss of coolant. Fuel system up to snuff to.

I am stareing at a 2500 mile roadtrip on the 5th and I either have to have faith in this rig or, god help me, drive the Protege. I have no problem diving into a timing chain job if needed.

'95 Olds 88, NA, Vin-K

Our timing chains are quite strong, therefore I'd be surprised if it were causing you trouble. I was flogging mine at 186K w/o issue.

When you say no vacuum leak, did you remove and check the tube from the EGR to the LIM for cracks? It'* not one that you can get a reaction from spraying. It needs to be pulled. It'* a quite common area for a vacuum leak large enough to cause a P0171 code.

I'd check to ensure the plug wires aren't touching the wiring for the O2 and check the plugs/wires. If it'* a misfire, please find out the cylinder. Once we know which cylinder, then it'* a matter of a couple possible bad parts.

Still have the heat sheilds on the plugs? If so, take them off. i have seen this one to many times! (4 cars) 2 of mine, Galens, and AL'*... It ran great easy on it. but 3/4 to the floor it miss fired.

I long since moved the plug wires away from the O2 wire. Stock heat shields are still on the rear plug wires. I tried the water spray trick and wasn't able to reproduce the misfire, at least with no load on it. The EGR tube has not been checked, yet. While not a killer job, I would like to avoid the timeing chain replacement, at least till later. I am hopeful the dealer will be able to isolate the issues and help me get it running right. Service advisor says he has two tech that are real good at the "old" Oldsmobiles and should be able to get it right this time. That $129 Accutron CP9145 is sure looking good at this point.

Chevy dealer managed to duplicate the problem in the shop. Crappy ICM, intermittent and heat related. The good news is it has a lifetime warranty (ain't gonna cover the $100+ diagnostic fee). I am losing my faith in Borg Warner parts. This thing is less than two years old!!! But, maybe when I lost one of the coils it might have killed the ICM? Gonna replace it tonight. Have a 300 mile road trip saturday that should be a good test. 2500 mile road trip is next weekend. Hopefully everything goes well on the short hop and I won't have to take the Protege on the long trip!!