Ok all you armchair mechanics: How do I solve this problem?

Question

Autozone put the code reader on my 2002 Chevy S-10,four cylinder. ( I have the E85 flex fuel motor). My engine light is on. The code 303 came up saying I have a misfire in cylinder #3 and the 4 most probable causes are: a) Ignition system(I had the plugs and wires changed but nothing else such as the coil.
b)vacuum leak
c) fuel injection fault
d) Too high (or low) fuel pressure
So what is the easiest (and least expensive)way of checking each of these out? I honestly do not know how to test any of these possible problems. Thanks for any help you can give me!

Answer 1

i don't know but my mom had almost the same problem and she changed her gas cap and the check engine light went off

Answer 2

if its manual trans the engine control module is bad and after the dealer installs the new one it will get a code to relearn crank shaft then the new emc will fail then they will replace it with a good one after they waste your time there was a recall on the 4 cylinder manual trans but if its not that then see if you can change coils around to see if missfire changes cylinders if it has 2 dual coils. if not you can jumper the module to the wires of the coils to switch and see if that and i dont remember if that has 2 plugs per cylinder then you need to do a compression test if it a intake valve a vaccume gauge attached to a manifold vaccume port the needle will bounce and wont be smooththe chevys have toomany problems to list but sometime the fuel pressure regulators leak fuel into the intake jsut un plug the hose then start the engine and see if fuel comes out besure no open flames are around and your not smoking and have somthing to put out fire if fuel catches fire the intake gaskets sometimes crack inside the engine if there is a large vaccume when you remove the oil cap it may be leaking there should only be a slight vaccume fromthe breather and pcv you can block both if your not shure and see if it has vaccume

Answer 3

there is no easy way to test an injector or fuel pressure without pressure gauges and proper tools. If you have no idea how to test them (by posting this you obviously dont) then take it to a certified shop to prevent damage and/or fire. You can always test fuel pressure by pressing in the test port and seeing how far the fuel shoots out. If it just dribbles out then you have low pressure. If it shoots out a couple feet then you have good pressure.
ASE master certified tech

Answer 4

first do NOT take it to an ase certified tech.they would only diagnois the problem correctly and fix it in a timely manner,where is the FUN in that .when you can waste valuable time on the net reading smart-alec replies like this or waste CHEAP GAS driving around to parts stores for a FREE code scan that tells you NOTHING .remember things are worth what you pay for them ,like free diags and free advice-good luck and thanks for the two pts

Answer 5

use a propane torch to check for a vacuum leak. do not light it just open the valve and move it around near your lines, if there is a vacuum leak the engine will rev up

Answer 6

does your truck have a distributor and rotor? have you tried using a quality injector cleaner in your gas? have you had the fuel filter changed? have you checked the battery connections for corrosion? the on-board computer wigs out if the voltage drops due to dirty battery terminals

Answer 7

as i sit back in my rocker, i seem to notice another disgruntled chevy owner, there are millions of them