Need help diagnosing girlfriend's Buick

[Blue04RedLine]

Just like the title states, I need your input on what's goin on with this car. It's a 98 Buick Century that her father bought used for her. Don't know the last time it had a tune up, but the car was bought at around 80K miles and is now close to 100K. The oil was just changed, but now I think it might need a tune up (new plugs and wires, etc.). Her CEL's been on for the past week and we had time today to get it checked (24 hour Autozone, never seen one before but damn are they handy). Code was P0302, engine misfire detected in cylinder number 2. My question, what could cause this? It's 3:40 in the morning, and we only had the code checked 2 hours ago so not a time I can get it into a mechanic.

Question 2 is shorter, but not simpler by any means. When driving the car and coming to a stop, the break pedal has the most inconsistant feel I've ever experienced. Sometimes it feels like it normally does, sometimes a little tighter (shorter travel) and sometimes it's much looser (longer travel, lot longer, like standing in my seat longer). The scariest thing is when it changes sitting at a stop light. We were at one red light, and I was on the break, then for no apparent reason, the pedal started going further down. I didn't have enough pressure for the new travel distance (more than an inch farther down) and the car started to roll forward as if I weren't on the break at all . It scares me to let her drive it like this, but we won't have the money to have anything serious fixed for at least another week or so. So can you guys help me out? Sorry for the long post, but these are things that need a lot of description .

[CuriousGeorge]

missfire is either plug wires, plugs or coils (assuming its a l36 v6 or l32 v6)hope its the plugs/wires (btw, its a bitch to change them. easies way is to go from under the car for the rear, and uptop with plenty of universal joints) normally if the coil goes its 2 cyl that show misfires. if that doesn't cure the misfire problem, have the DIS unit checked. if you have to replace it its about 300 bucks i think.

now the brake pedal thing. its either air in the lines or the mastercyl is dead or dying. its not really safe to drive with that dying. you may end up with no brakes at all. also check the brake lines make sure they aren't bulging.

[redline13]

^^^^^^that sounds about right for the CEL, as for the brakes, Check the fluid, lines, pads, petal, etc. . . Although I'm not a mechanic I do have a nak for figuring out wierd shit like this. I do it at work all the time. It sounds to me like you are not getting enough pressure from the pump. Personally, I would take it somewhere and get it checked. Hope the girlfriend is staying with you tonight. Driving it doesn't sound safe.

And where were you Monday night punk?

[John]

Originally Posted by redline13

^^^^^^that sounds about right for the CEL, as for the brakes, Check the fluid, lines, pads, petal, etc. . . ALTHOUGH IM NOT A MECHANIC I do have a nak for figuring out wierd shit like this. I do it at work all the time. It sounds to me like you are not getting enough pressure from the pump. Personally, I would take it somewhere and get it checked. Hope the girlfriend is staying with you tonight. Driving it doesn't sound safe.

And where were you Monday night punk?

But he did stay at a holiday inn express last night

[TheWastedYears]

Generally, if you can pump the pedal back up it's a master cylinder issue. That's not always the case, but it's a good start.

[redline13]

Originally Posted by John

But he did stay at a holiday inn express last night

Bwwwaaaahahahahahaha, I love those commercials

[Redn8r3]

just have your girl stay with you till its fixed, hehehe

[redline13]

^^^^^^he knows whats up

[Redn8r3]

i love car problems, when they're my girls!!!

[Blue04RedLine]

Well, she's stayin with me anyways. Problem that scares me is, she works in two different places, one by her place (in Avalon of off 50 for the locals) and then is helping fill shifts at my work, but she goes out at a different time than me to Old Town (in kissimmee). I would normally take her with me, but she doesn't get off the first job till 2 hours after I'm at my job, so I can't bring her, thus why I'm scared of her driving it, especially on the highway. We gotta get it in, but it's her only means of transportation, and I don't know when we're gonna have a day off .