Experts Needed: Ignition Question

[draboyd]

To all my fellow V6 cohorts:

I have a 1997 camaro with about 178,000 miles. Has been a great car with absolutly no major problems. As I have read, many have been having the same problem with igniton as I have - specifically with plugs and wires.

Well is is my problem:

I have put new AC Delco plugs and Accel wires (universal 8mm) in recent months. However, I have been having problems with a cylinder 5 (P0305) misfire (recently). So the other night I put a new plug and made a new wire for it - did not fix the misfire.

However, I went to change the coil and only had the tools to remove one of the bolts. I took it for a test drive and the problem was fixed. However, once I put the bolt back in the misfire reoccured. I then removed the bolt and the car is running top-notch again. That was last night and the bolt is still removed - car is running great....

I know quite a bit about cars, but this one has me stumpped. Does this seem like a grounding problem that is shorting out the coil, or is the coil bad? Should I just change the coil? I hope to hear from some of you regarding this problem, as you have always been so helpful in the past.

Thanks,
Drew

[youngsc]

Welcome, My first guess would be grounding. Take the coil off and inspect it closely where the bolt mounts to it. If it looks damaged then replace it. BTW I'm no expert but that sounds logical.

[SpeedingFirebird]

You might also be sparking to the bolt.

[Vanquish]

The coil is shorting, because it's on it's way to death. Replace the coil and your problem will be fixed.