I have a 99 Eurovan with about 78,000 miles. I bought it used a year ago. I was driving up a hill and heard a thump in the engine, and immediatly lost power. Lack of power going up hills and at higher rpms. Engine codes were as follows: p0300 random/multiple cylinder misfire, p0301 cylinder 1 misfire, p0301 cylinder 5 misfire, p0301 cylinder 3 misfire.
I took it to the mechanic, and we thought it was the coil pack. Tried 3 different ones with no luck. Tried a new computer, no luck, Tried new wires, plugs, no luck. I was told then that it might be clogged fuel injectors. But 3 at one time on the same bank seemed odd. So I ran through 3 tanks of gas with fuel injector cleaners, no luck.

I took it to the dealer for a second opinion, they looked it over and couldn't figure out the problem in the first couple of hours, and wanted $300 more to do a compression test. They also said the timing was off a little, I don't remember it it was 2 or 7 degrees off. I'll have to check the paperwork. But said it seemed like something major and I should get rid of the van.

I took the van back to the first mechanic and had them do a compression test. The compression was actually a bit high, around 220 on cylinders 1,3, and 5. The mechanic blew air through the manifold with the plugs out (I'm not really sure) and concluded that there was air flow to the plugs. They think it might be carbon build up on the pistons or some ground wire short? They didn't think the timing chain would have slipped, because I wouldn't have that much compression. But I am curious what the original thump was?

So at this point, my mechanic is asking me if i have anyone else that can work on it...

I am at a loss. Before I take it to another mechanic and drop more money into it, I am hoping someone out there has some insight for me.

On another note, does anyone know a good Eurovan mechanic in the Baltimore Maryland area?