p0306

i have been chasing this misfire for awhile now on my 2001 chevy 6 cyl 4.3, its the 6th cyl first inline from the cat and i craweled under it the other night and the exit side of the cat was glowing red like a piece of charcoal... im assuming this isnt normal and hoping simply replacing it will solve my problem???

Have you checked the forums for sommon things on that engine? have you attemptted any repairs yet?

i have done the usual plugs, wires, cap and rotor... its just a tiny miss but i was specifically told to check to see if the cat was glowing and it was but i had just never heard of that before...

and yes i have check the forums but there just seems to be so many possibilities i was just hoping i might have found the problem

A converter failure is a possibility but I'm willing to bet it's more of a symptom than a cause: http://www.obd-codes.com/p0306 & search.php?keywords=p0306

Did you use quality (read: GM) parts or did you buy aftermarket stuff? If you read a few posts around here "we" always recommend good quality OEM replacement parts. When I say "we", I mean "Jeff Compton"

fuel injector I'd guess assuming the correct plugs and ignition parts were used and no mechanical problems within the engine

i had the cat looked at and its good for moment, fuel must be getting in there and burning, injectors are something i have never really dealt with but it seems like its the next step, thanks

2001 Chevy 6 cyl 4.3, ? check and see if your 8th vin # is a W
this means you have the spider type injection system which are known to have leaking fuel regulators, which are sat in the inlet manifold above Cylinder # 5 + 6.
To check this you will have to do a fuel pressure leak down test.
if it fails you will have to remove the upper inlet manifold to get at the fuel metering body and visually check the fuel regulator which is mounted on the rear side, if its leaking replace this part, which you can get as a kit.
Make sure you get the throttle body and inlet manifold gasket .