Hello!

My 2000 SLE has the series II 3.8L engine. I bought it w/31k miles 7 months ago. About 1200 miles ago it started to "stutter" only when I was slowly re-accelerating and the RPM'* were @ 1.5 (...yea...it took me a while to figure that out). When I gassed the RPM'* up over 2 - it would run fine. I started asking around - but the only advise I got was "can't figure anything out until the check engine light comes on". The mileage dropped a little (from 24 to 23mpg)- but that could have been due to using the AC (hot summer here!). Just checked it earlier this week (haven't had the AC on as much) and I was up to 25mpg

So fine.....it started running rougher and "missing" this past week (like all the time) and the dummy light finally came on. Computer said "2nd cyl misfire". I was advised that it could be three things

1) bad wire (there'* 43009 miles - logical to believe the wires are original.)
2) clogged fuel injector (put Lucas cleaner in about 3000 miles - but never fully serviced.)
3) intake gasket (lower or upper??) could be bad due to the Dexcool coolant eating it up.

So...I have my son (a Valvoline tech) who wants to check the wires and clean out the fuel injectors. I have a call into the local GM dealer to see if GM will cover this should it indeed be the intake gasket.

Oh yea. other changes I've made since I've owned it:
1) Oil - using that mobil synthetic oil
2) Gas - originally ran the cheap gas (87)...switched to the premium (93?) at about 35k miles...then downgraded to the mid-grade (89) at 41k miles. Why? Heard that the mid-range would produce just as good gas mileage as the premium...and that the premium could possibly clog the fuel injectors because it cleans "so well".


Any other ideas? suggests? good lawyers?
Sorry for not being too technical....being a chic, it'* the best I could come up with!

I vote for plugs or wires to change first. cheap and easy

You should change both the plugs and wires. I dont suspect the fuel injectors or intake gasket as other more serious conditions would occur.
If you've still got warranty the dealer will clear the code and inspect the wires for free.

Check wiring first, I dont think your injectors should be an issue already. Might have had something to do with regular gas, but if you kept up with the fuel system cleaner, it shouldve helped.

Thanks to all! Trying that today....

Sometimes you just have to go burn the carbon off

As stated above, check plugs, wires followed by coils, Ignition Control Module and then injectors.

It sounds like plugs and plug wires... Thats what my 92 Cad Deville needed when it missed.

Hey y'all...the plugs were totally roached...rusted even...that'* not good, right? I mean, if the plugs are rusted, isn't that a sign of coolant getting througn? When I bought it in Dec 2004, it only had 31k miles on it..so does the rust happen just from sitting or from "other" problems? Also...I looked at the upper intake manifold...the arrow for the year was after the "03" and before the "00"...Dec 18th was the date....so does that mean that the manifold was manufacureed in 03? If so...then my baby had problems before I got it....???

I forgot to add that she runs much smoother now w/new plugs....

You see I figured that would get it!