P0302 misfire on cylinder 2. need help resolving the causes

It seems that there should be a very easy explanation to fix this problem, for it would not show a code if it were not something every day normal. It also seems after going through the process of replaceing part after part that eventualy something would reset this code. Short of removing the radiator cap, and driving a brand new car under it! Does anyone actually know what causes a single cylinder to misfire and what do you do to get it to pass inspection?

what are you driving and what have you done.....

Royal Gem are you being serious?

What is the make, model and year of this vehicle?

Just a SWAG, could be a clogged injector or a loose connection on the injector.

Since you are on the replacing parts mood, change the injectors before you replace the radiator cap

Just kidding...

1997 Geo Metro 1.0, have replaced distributor, coil, cam sensor-pickup coil, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuelpump, compression tested, vacuum tested,

I'd suspect that you have an engine problem, likely a valve that's not showing up on the compression test but would on a cylinder leakage test or a running compression test. Assuming of course the circuits to all your new parts are good

There are four things you need for an engine (as well as individual cylinders) to run: Fuel, compression, spark, and air. Assuming that you have performed all of the typical diag. procedures, We'll say that you have spark, air, and (assuming that the leak-down test was performed correctly) compression. So more than likely you have a fuel deficient cyl. 3. Install a noid light on cyl. 3 injector connector to verify injector pulse. If not, proceed from there by checking continuity back to the ECM along with verifying pulse signal at the ECM itself; Ect.... If you do have injector pulse at the injector connector, swap the number three injector with one from another cyl. If the misfires follows to another cyl. with the suspected injector, you now have conformation of a faulty injector. Let me know how it goes. Good luck.

just wanted to put a reply in here for people to see what i found out ...
It turns out I live in PA..Bought my Truck in Pa..to find out it was manufacter'd in California ..So it has Cali emissions ..meaning the Root of all the bucking & kicking
turned out to be The Y pipe has 5 catalytics inside plus the main catalytic converter
my mechanic ( A different ) garage found it. He took the converter off ran it with out it to find the Y pipe had major clocking ,, So it cost $1300 for the pipe to be bought & shipped from Cali since you cannot get them from Pa.. needless to my check engine light
is now OFF...that was my misfire #2 so everyone check your YPIPES....and the front of your engine to see if sticker states California emissions or federal ....this was a costly misfire almost $ 4500 total to find this .....thanks Ami
maybe this will help you also check your YPIPE ..

So now you need to find out what caused the Y pipe & catylist to burn !
Your probably not out of the woods yet although with all the parts you replaced lets hope you got the dodgy culprit!!!

Aeroman