I had stuttering issues when engine was idle at stops. The code idle air control valve came up, so I replaced the part, and the engine light went out and the problem went away.

However, a week later the engine light came back on and the stutter is back. I had the code run and it comes up Misfire on cylinder #2. A mechanic briefly said that this is a common problem with the 3.1V6, but would not divulge any further helpful information, as he wanted me to spend thousands of dollars at his shop to diagnose and fix.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

Notes: I have the typical malibu "piston slap" noise that goes away when the car warms up. I replace the wires and plugs annually. The coolant intake gasket was replaced 4 years ago. I replaced the coil-pack on #2 hoping that would solve it, but it didn't. 2001 malibu with 170 K and no leaks that I can see.

Can anyone please provide detailed information on this "common" misfire problem? I have another crappy back-up car, so I can do the work myself.<o></o>
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i had the same problem.
i believe it was a code 00310 multiple cylinder misfires
i thought it was a fuel problem BUT
i figured out, fuel had slipped into the vacuum line that lead to my fuel pressure regulator [which is not supposed to happen]
check your vacuum lines
and check the line that leads to the fuel pressure regulator.
if you pull it off and fuel comes out
you'll need to replace the regulator and the lines.
its not much work and pretty affordable.
i hope everything works out for you :]