i have an 02 sunfire with the ecotec 2.2 with the manual tranny and heres my problem
the car idles very rough. when i start it up it starts at its usual 1200 rpm but it will fluctuate between 1000 and 1300.
the exhaust is also very choppy. and has sort of a white smoke to it. there is no power loss when accelerating either. however i did notice that gas consumption is VERY high.
i had 1/2 tank of gas and after a short 3 mile drive it was down to a quarter tank. the car also stalls out when coming to a stop. if im driving and i need to come to a stop it will slowly die. the rpms will slowly drop until it dies unless you give it a little gas. so basically the car wont idle once i start driving. when the car dies the battery light comes on. and to start it back up i have to give it some gas too. the engine light recently came on and it gave a P0300 code. I have changed the plugs, cleaned the MAF sensor, and throttle body, but it still have the same problems. any help would be appreciated.
i also forgot to mention that about a minute after initial start up the cooling fan turns on. even when its a cold start.
injector clean time? when was fuel filter cleaned? and that code means a misfire, check ur plugs/springs and make sure ur getting good contact with the spark plugs and none of them are corroded..
2010 Lonestar Bash 2nd place J-Body Street Class
i havent cleaned the fuel filter but i did add some marvel mystery oil to the gas tank in order to clean the fuel system. i just changed the plugs and theyre making good contact. the car stalling out also just happens when the car is warmer but not right after a cold start.
ecm, i think thats what its call, the coil pack on top the engine that makes it fires, might be going bad.
2010 Lonestar Bash 2nd place J-Body Street Class
My old cav did something similar. I changed the ignition module, which is the little box that plugs into the coils that you're refering to, and it went away. Granted it was the old 2.2 OHV, but the signs you're describing sound almost identical.
"Is that your exhaust or is that the sound of someone deflating a cat?"
is there any way that i can test the module before i go out and buy one?
Are you getting any warning lights? Sounds a little like limp mode.
Sig'less since '02!
im getting a check engine light with a P0300 code.
Heres a list of things to check:
A code P0300 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
* Faulty spark plugs or wires
* Faulty coil (pack)
* Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
* Faulty fuel injector(s)
* Burned exhaust valve
* Faulty catalytic converter(s)
* Stuck/blocked EGR valve / passages
* Faulty camshaft position sensor
* Defective computer
would the faulty camshaft sensor cause the car to stall and start back up if i give it some gas?
i had a very similiar problem, cleaned out the IAC helped alot
Don't white smoke mean the head gasket could be leacking?
White smoke does mean the head gasket is bad, BUT, white smoke on initial startup is pretty normal on cold days. If it lingers and is THICK LIKE FOG then I would say bad head gasket, also if it smelled somewhat sweet. But I dont think thats the issue here at all
The PO300 is a Random misfire code, as was stated earlier, meaning its not on one cylinder at all. Those things that Rich pointed out that could be the problems would cause other lights, (most of them anyways) for themselves. Could be bad plugs or Boots (eco's dont have wires), coil pack (which is VERY common for these engines) and a bad burnt valve and bad injectors. I doubt its the valve or injectors tho. The rest will set other codes when they go bad such as the Oxy Sensors will set codes, If the Catalytic Converter was bad the Oxy Sensors will set lights, this car does not have a EGR system, and a faulty cam sensor will set its own code.
So with those out of the way (Rich that was not a attack on you at all, just way to much information and could confuse the OP). I will bet your running rough problem has to do with the Coils. On my old 02 with the Eco I had a similar problem but no light, swapped coils, and it went away. So I would start there. IIRC Autozone can check coils to see if there good or bad, but dont quote me on that.
Your stalling problem im willing to bet is your IAC valve on ur throttle body. Again, on my 02 it would start, run, but stall if you were not giving it gas and reving it up. So you could also try that. Goodluck man!
Compression test see if a cylinder is low. Put compressed air in the low cylinder and watch if the pressure drops. If it drops listen to see if it is coming out the tailpipe or the intake. If it does burnt valve/s. Had burnt exhaust valves in my '05 Calalier. $1000 fix, valve job, new guides and deck milled. Mine would idle very rough, misfire code P0301 cylinder 1 misfire everytime. Super bad gas mileage but ran good of idle no hesitation. My bet burnt valve.
