I'm runnin on 3 cylinders

[racin-type]

like the subject said. I'm pretty sure i'm running on 3 cylinders or one of the cylinders is very bad.

Took out the spark plugs and the cylinder closest to the firewall was black, leading me to believe theres no spark or a weak one there. so first thing i did was get brand new spark plug wires since i have never change the originals since the car was brought a year ago. that help a lil but engine/car still shaking. idle is not bad at around 500-600rpm, normal was 700 +-50rpm. changed spark plugs. nothing.

if fuel injector at that cylinder was stuck open would this cause this type of problem? the car is not back firing. but acceleration is affected and i can hear the engine not running smoothly like it would if all 4 cylinders were firing. also my distributor cap is only held on to the distributor with only one bolt instead of two, however this has never affected the engine. and recently my positive battery terminal has developed some white growth(forgot what its called).

any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks

[NISTECH]

sounds like an injector problem either a leaking oring or a stcuk open injector as you said. If it werent firing the plug would be clean and soaking wet with fuel when you pulled it out. Black indicates its burning but very rich[black could represent oil too but your description doesnt sound like an oil leak]

[racin-type]

is there a way to check that injector? instead of just goin out and buying. and if it was bad should i change all at the same time or just that one?

and thank you very much nistech

[NISTECH]

to test for onjector leaks you hook up a fuel gauge between your fuel filter and the injector rail. cycle the ignition to the run position let the pressure build up. When it stops watch it. It should not drop more then 10 psi in about 10 mins. if when the pump stops running the pressure drops very quickly you have an injector leaking. You do this test with the car NOT running just with the key in the on position.