Can a code that says Engine Misfire cylinder 3 ever be real serious?? Im looking at a car that I can get at a good price. The current owner is moving and needs to sell. He also said this code came out of the blue/ With all the problems the 3.1 engine has had can this error code ever lead to any REAL SERIOUS AND EXPENSIVE SOLUTIONS?? OK I know it can at times but what is the likly hood that this issue can be corrected for less than a couple of hundred dollars?

I honestly dont want to deal with changing the head gaskets etc. Please Im really under the gun and need to make a quick decision.

I got lucky on my other daughters malibu basically the same thing except this car was overheating however I discovered that the head gasket was ok so I purchased the 03 malibu for $1100 and everything workedout fine.

Im hoping this can occurr one more time!

 

assume the worst and make your offer accordingly. Without any diagnostic testing; its all a guesswork.

Do a compression test to rule out anything mechanical. While the #3 plugs out inspect the plug and take a look into the cylinder for coolant etc.