Hi ... I have a 1994 1.8LSi cavalier (c18nz ?)... 125K miles Over past few days it has been idling a bit rough ... (though still starts first time and seems to run ok at higher speeds) I've now traced it to it only firing on 3 cylinders... (at least while idling)... the one nearest the distributer (4?) is not firing ... if I carefully pull off the spark plug lead with insulated pliers it makes no difference to engine running ... whereas doing the same to the other 3 does... I do get power to the plug...(though the distributor cap & rotor seem quite pitted) and I've changed the plug, and tried a spare HT lead to it ... but no improvement....
Probably a big clue to someone more knowledabgle than me is that the plug seems perfectly dry when I take it out to examine it... which seems to indicate to me no petrol getting in?
Thats about the limit of my knowledge ... seems like a garage job... Anyone any ideas of likely causes? And any ideas of how much it is going to cost to repair? (as the car is only worth a few hundred and we were thinking of getting something newer... is it worth repairing ...? how long could it be run in this state?).
thanks for your thoughts AJ