struggles st start and to keep idle but no cel. any ideas? 2.4 motor out of a 98 sunfire. TIA

i was researching how does a leaky injector sound. its like its flooded and smells sweet on startup

sweet smell is usually coolant. check for coolant in the oil.

some more info would be good.

sweet as in rich of fuel. random misfire at idle and sometimes upon decel. new plugs in the last year.

did the problem just happen one day when you tried to start the car or start when you were driving down the road? Will it idle on it's own or do you have to hold the throttle open?

could be any number of things, map, injectors, coils or something internal. If you have access to a compression tester I would start by ruling out internal probs like a sticking valve.

no cel.... no it runs decent after hesitant start. if i start it and turn it off... then back on it fires fine. which was leaning me toward leaking injector after shutdown

If the injector is leaking bad enough you will hear a hiss. A stethoscope would help, but if you can't get one take a screw driver and put the end on an injector and your ear up to the handle. Failing that the only way to really know for sure is pull the injectors and bench test them.

Ive had the same problem as you. I ended up finding a FPR, Rail, and 4 new injectors for a steal online and works like a charm, did not come with a new oring but got one at the parts store.