please help -- car not running well suddenly
January 3rd, 2008, 5:18 PM
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please help -- car not running well suddenly
i have a 2003 Chevrolet impala sedan. 3.4L V6, automatic, FWD. about two weeks ago, i bought gas at a cheap gas station. ever since, my car has been running like absolute crap [
]. if i step lightly on the accelerator, the car bogs down. then, i will put the accelerator to the floor and the car will leap into action but at the top of the rpm range, it will bog down and not shift until i let up a little on the accelerator. basically at the bottom and top of the rev range, there is little or no power but in the middle, the car runs "OK". by OK, i mean it has definitely run better. this is through every gear and yes i do have all four gears. i am kind of learning how to drive "around"the problem by gunning it to leave from a stop and then gradually letting up on the gas as the revs get higher. any input on what my problem may be and how to fix it. this is so frustrating. i can honestly say that before that tank of gas, the car was running like a clock and since then, not at all. incidentally, i have gotten a new tank of gas from a good place and it's still not running well, although it's only been about 20 miles. btw, the car has 109,000 miles on the clock. PLEASE HELP!!!
]. if i step lightly on the accelerator, the car bogs down. then, i will put the accelerator to the floor and the car will leap into action but at the top of the rpm range, it will bog down and not shift until i let up a little on the accelerator. basically at the bottom and top of the rev range, there is little or no power but in the middle, the car runs "OK". by OK, i mean it has definitely run better. this is through every gear and yes i do have all four gears. i am kind of learning how to drive "around"the problem by gunning it to leave from a stop and then gradually letting up on the gas as the revs get higher. any input on what my problem may be and how to fix it. this is so frustrating. i can honestly say that before that tank of gas, the car was running like a clock and since then, not at all. incidentally, i have gotten a new tank of gas from a good place and it's still not running well, although it's only been about 20 miles. btw, the car has 109,000 miles on the clock. PLEASE HELP!!!
January 7th, 2008, 10:59 AM
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RE: please help -- car not running well suddenly
so here's the latest. i took it to a mechanic today because the check engine light finally came on. the computer returned code 4040B which he says means the EGR valve is shot. can anyone tell me if this sounds right? it's a $360.47 repair and i'd like to skip that if it doesn't sound right.
January 7th, 2008, 9:22 PM
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RE: please help -- car not running well suddenly
If thats the code its returning then thats whats wrong with it. Thats what the on board computer says is wrong with it, its not lying to you or giving you a worthless opinion.
The EGR valve replacement is a simple procedure. Get a subscription to www.alldatadiy.com (24.95) and check the procedure. They also have on line diagrams and troubleshooting information.
You can also buy the scanner off the internet for less than 60.00 and check to see if you get the same results as the mechanic.
You can also get a Chiltons manual (19.95) at the auto parts store for your vehicle that will show you where the EGR valve is located, describe the procedure for removal and replacement and give you a picture of what it looks like so you can recognize it from all the other garbage thats under the hood. You can probably get a new EGR valve for WAY less than $360.00.
The price of $360.00 is probably the going rate for your area but your probably paying $100.00 for the part and $200.00 labor. the part itself is probably around $60.00. Call an auto parts store and they will tell you. The price he quoted you is the standard labor rate for his particular shop. They get it out of a book so they know what to charge. The book tells them how many hours it takes to do the job by a professional, competent, real mechanic.
Replacing the EGR valve is a cake walk. All you have to do is take off two bolts and unplug the bad EGR valve from the wiring harness. Plug in the new harness and bolt it on, problem solved in 30 minutes.
The EGR valve replacement is a simple procedure. Get a subscription to www.alldatadiy.com (24.95) and check the procedure. They also have on line diagrams and troubleshooting information.
You can also buy the scanner off the internet for less than 60.00 and check to see if you get the same results as the mechanic.
You can also get a Chiltons manual (19.95) at the auto parts store for your vehicle that will show you where the EGR valve is located, describe the procedure for removal and replacement and give you a picture of what it looks like so you can recognize it from all the other garbage thats under the hood. You can probably get a new EGR valve for WAY less than $360.00.
The price of $360.00 is probably the going rate for your area but your probably paying $100.00 for the part and $200.00 labor. the part itself is probably around $60.00. Call an auto parts store and they will tell you. The price he quoted you is the standard labor rate for his particular shop. They get it out of a book so they know what to charge. The book tells them how many hours it takes to do the job by a professional, competent, real mechanic.
Replacing the EGR valve is a cake walk. All you have to do is take off two bolts and unplug the bad EGR valve from the wiring harness. Plug in the new harness and bolt it on, problem solved in 30 minutes.
January 8th, 2008, 9:29 AM
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RE: please help -- car not running well suddenly
Here is what GM says about Oil and Fuel additives. This is a technical bulletin pilled from www.alldatadiy.com
Engine/Fuel System - Oil/Fuel Additive Recommendations
Bulletin No.: 05-00-89-072 Date: October 24, 2005 INFORMATION Subject:
Fuel and Oil Additives - Facts and Myths/Maximizing Fuel Economy Models:
2006 and Prior All GM Cars and Trucks
2003-2006 HUMMER H2
2006 HUMMER H3
2005-2006 Saab 9-7X Attention: Please direct this bulletin to the Service Manager, the Service Consultants, and the Sales Staff. A copy of this bulletin is encouraged to be given to your customer as it is written with the consumer in mind. You may also post this bulletin in your customer lounge or waiting area. A Statement About Fuel Economy As gasoline prices have increased, the consumer has shifted priorities to become increasingly concerned with fuel consumption. GM is presently proud to offer 20 cars in the U.S. with EPA highway estimates of at least 30 mpg. The information below contains reasonable and prudent advice for your dealership and the consumer to get the most from every gallon of gas. The information below is presented in two easy to understand sections: - What Not To Do: Engine and Fuel Additives, Alternate Fuels, and "Miracle" Products - What to Do: Maximizing Fuel Economy/Minimizing Costs WHAT NOT TO DO: Engine and Fuel Additives, Alternate Fuels, and "Miracle" Products Various unproven products to improve vehicle fuel economy have been reported ranging from magnets that align molecules to chemical combustion improvers. Most products claiming to provide benefits are based on unsubstantiated claims. Those that do present "scientific" results generally either have too little supporting data to be conclusive, have not conducted experiments in a controlled fashion, or cannot be substantiated by anyone else but the producers manufacturer. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission summarizes results for products tested by the federal government at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/gasave.htm. A review of the list shows that the majority did not work, and for those that showed some effect, the benefit was too small to be cost effective. Harmful Ideas That May Damage Your Vehicle and Increase Emissions One more recent poor idea to improve fuel economy that should not be attempted is to blend either kerosene or diesel fuel into gasoline. Why? Both kerosene and diesel fuel are distillate fuels meant for use in compression ignition engines, not spark ignition engines. They have very low octane and since they are heavier (higher density) than gasoline, they will cause heavy engine deposits and degradation of engine oil. Note: Never put Kerosene or Diesel Fuel in your Gasoline Engine vehicle. This may result in inconsistent performance and permanent damage to your vehicle that is not covered by your New Vehicle Warranty. Chemicals that are normally used as solvents also should not be used. These include acetone, ketones, and methanol. These solvents can be incompatible with your vehicles rubber or sealing components, and may dissolve the vehicle's paint finish. In the case of methanol, corrosion of metal parts in the fuel system also may occur. Note: Never use acetone, ketones, or methanol additives in your vehicle. Some of these solvents may damage or corrode your fuel system. They are also very damaging to the painted surfaces of the vehicle if spilled. WHAT TO DO: Maximizing Fuel Economy/Minimizing Costs The best fuel economy possible is the direct result of proper maintenance and good driving habits. Listed below are GM's recommendations to achieve the best mileage possible. The first group are things to consider for your vehicle, while the second are tips relating to your driving habits. Vehicle Considerations: ^ Tire Pressure - One of the major contributors to poor fuel economy are under inflated tires. Tires low on pressure create drag that the vehicle's powertrain must overcome, wasting dollars in fuel. Always keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure as shown on the vehicle placard. This not only serves to increase gas mileage but cuts down on tire wear, further decreasing your costs per mile. ^ Air Filter - A vehicle that has a dirty air filter can't efficiently draw air into the engine. This restriction forces the engine to expend energy to "breathe" wasting fuel in the process. Change recommendations are found in your vehicle Owner's Manual. ^ Proper Viscosity "Starburst" Rated Oil - Always use the proper viscosity oil in your engine. Oil that has a higher than required viscosity will create more drag on the internal components of the engine, causing more work for it, especially when cold. Each Owner's Manual contains information on the proper type of oil for your vehicle. Look for the "starburst" symbol on the front of the bottle, and the SM rating on the API circle on the back label. If you are in doubt, stop by your dealer for an oil change, and any other services required. Most current GM vehicles are equipped with oil life monitors to further assist on the "when" to change your oil. (Aveo/Wave/Optra/Epica currently do not have oil life monitors). Note: GM Vehicles DO NOT require additional engine oil additives. Some additives may cause harmful effects to the internal seals and additionally void the terms of your vehicles New Car Warranty. ^ Top Tier Fuels - Some fuel manufacturers provide gasoline advertised as TOP TIER DETERGENT GASOLINE (Chevron, Conoco, Phillips 66, Shell, Entec Stations, MFA, 76, Somerset Oil, QuikTrip, and Kwik Trip in the U.S. and Chevron in Canada. These fuels are preferable when and where available. They help to keep your fuel injectors and intake valves free of deposits. Clean engines provide optimal fuel economy, performance and reduced emissions. When Top Tier fuels are not available, consider a bottle of GM Fuel System treatment PLUS, P/N# 88861011 (in Canada, # 88861012), at oil change time which will remove intake system and injector deposits. GM does not recommend any other fuel system cleaner. Important: DO NOT confuse Top Tier Fuels with Higher Octane (Plus/Premium Grade Fuel) commonly sold at most all gas stations. Plus and Premium fuels are required in some high performance GM vehicles. However, they do not necessarily represent higher detergency present in TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Important: For additional information regarding Top Tier fuels and availability, please refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 04-06-04-047E for U.S. or 05-06-04-022 for Canada. Note: E85 FUELS: Only vehicles designated for use with E85 should use E85 blended fuel. E85 compatibility is designated for vehicles that are certified to run on up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. All other gasoline engines are designed to run on fuel that contains no more than 10% ethanol. Use of fuel containing greater than 10% ethanol in non-E85 designated vehicles can cause driveability issues, service engine soon indicators as well as increased fuel system corrosion. See Corporate Bulletin Number 05-06-04-035 for additional information. ^ Use the Recommended Grade (Octane) Fuel Purchasing higher than required octane fuel is a waste of money. Using higher octane fuels in a vehicle that only required regular unleaded fuel will neither increase performance nor improve gas mileage. In all cases refer to your owners manual and ONLY use the octane rated fuel recommended for your vehicle. Important: In high performance GM vehicles that DO require Premium (91 octane or higher) fuel, you MUST use fuels of at least this octane. Use of lower octane fuel may result in reduced performance, knocking, and/or permanent engine damage not covered under the terms of the New Vehicle Warranty. ^ Check Engine/Service Engine Soon Light - Is the Check Engine/SES light on? When this light is on, the vehicles On-Board
Engine/Fuel System - Oil/Fuel Additive Recommendations
Bulletin No.: 05-00-89-072 Date: October 24, 2005 INFORMATION Subject:
Fuel and Oil Additives - Facts and Myths/Maximizing Fuel Economy Models:
2006 and Prior All GM Cars and Trucks
2003-2006 HUMMER H2
2006 HUMMER H3
2005-2006 Saab 9-7X Attention: Please direct this bulletin to the Service Manager, the Service Consultants, and the Sales Staff. A copy of this bulletin is encouraged to be given to your customer as it is written with the consumer in mind. You may also post this bulletin in your customer lounge or waiting area. A Statement About Fuel Economy As gasoline prices have increased, the consumer has shifted priorities to become increasingly concerned with fuel consumption. GM is presently proud to offer 20 cars in the U.S. with EPA highway estimates of at least 30 mpg. The information below contains reasonable and prudent advice for your dealership and the consumer to get the most from every gallon of gas. The information below is presented in two easy to understand sections: - What Not To Do: Engine and Fuel Additives, Alternate Fuels, and "Miracle" Products - What to Do: Maximizing Fuel Economy/Minimizing Costs WHAT NOT TO DO: Engine and Fuel Additives, Alternate Fuels, and "Miracle" Products Various unproven products to improve vehicle fuel economy have been reported ranging from magnets that align molecules to chemical combustion improvers. Most products claiming to provide benefits are based on unsubstantiated claims. Those that do present "scientific" results generally either have too little supporting data to be conclusive, have not conducted experiments in a controlled fashion, or cannot be substantiated by anyone else but the producers manufacturer. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission summarizes results for products tested by the federal government at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/gasave.htm. A review of the list shows that the majority did not work, and for those that showed some effect, the benefit was too small to be cost effective. Harmful Ideas That May Damage Your Vehicle and Increase Emissions One more recent poor idea to improve fuel economy that should not be attempted is to blend either kerosene or diesel fuel into gasoline. Why? Both kerosene and diesel fuel are distillate fuels meant for use in compression ignition engines, not spark ignition engines. They have very low octane and since they are heavier (higher density) than gasoline, they will cause heavy engine deposits and degradation of engine oil. Note: Never put Kerosene or Diesel Fuel in your Gasoline Engine vehicle. This may result in inconsistent performance and permanent damage to your vehicle that is not covered by your New Vehicle Warranty. Chemicals that are normally used as solvents also should not be used. These include acetone, ketones, and methanol. These solvents can be incompatible with your vehicles rubber or sealing components, and may dissolve the vehicle's paint finish. In the case of methanol, corrosion of metal parts in the fuel system also may occur. Note: Never use acetone, ketones, or methanol additives in your vehicle. Some of these solvents may damage or corrode your fuel system. They are also very damaging to the painted surfaces of the vehicle if spilled. WHAT TO DO: Maximizing Fuel Economy/Minimizing Costs The best fuel economy possible is the direct result of proper maintenance and good driving habits. Listed below are GM's recommendations to achieve the best mileage possible. The first group are things to consider for your vehicle, while the second are tips relating to your driving habits. Vehicle Considerations: ^ Tire Pressure - One of the major contributors to poor fuel economy are under inflated tires. Tires low on pressure create drag that the vehicle's powertrain must overcome, wasting dollars in fuel. Always keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure as shown on the vehicle placard. This not only serves to increase gas mileage but cuts down on tire wear, further decreasing your costs per mile. ^ Air Filter - A vehicle that has a dirty air filter can't efficiently draw air into the engine. This restriction forces the engine to expend energy to "breathe" wasting fuel in the process. Change recommendations are found in your vehicle Owner's Manual. ^ Proper Viscosity "Starburst" Rated Oil - Always use the proper viscosity oil in your engine. Oil that has a higher than required viscosity will create more drag on the internal components of the engine, causing more work for it, especially when cold. Each Owner's Manual contains information on the proper type of oil for your vehicle. Look for the "starburst" symbol on the front of the bottle, and the SM rating on the API circle on the back label. If you are in doubt, stop by your dealer for an oil change, and any other services required. Most current GM vehicles are equipped with oil life monitors to further assist on the "when" to change your oil. (Aveo/Wave/Optra/Epica currently do not have oil life monitors). Note: GM Vehicles DO NOT require additional engine oil additives. Some additives may cause harmful effects to the internal seals and additionally void the terms of your vehicles New Car Warranty. ^ Top Tier Fuels - Some fuel manufacturers provide gasoline advertised as TOP TIER DETERGENT GASOLINE (Chevron, Conoco, Phillips 66, Shell, Entec Stations, MFA, 76, Somerset Oil, QuikTrip, and Kwik Trip in the U.S. and Chevron in Canada. These fuels are preferable when and where available. They help to keep your fuel injectors and intake valves free of deposits. Clean engines provide optimal fuel economy, performance and reduced emissions. When Top Tier fuels are not available, consider a bottle of GM Fuel System treatment PLUS, P/N# 88861011 (in Canada, # 88861012), at oil change time which will remove intake system and injector deposits. GM does not recommend any other fuel system cleaner. Important: DO NOT confuse Top Tier Fuels with Higher Octane (Plus/Premium Grade Fuel) commonly sold at most all gas stations. Plus and Premium fuels are required in some high performance GM vehicles. However, they do not necessarily represent higher detergency present in TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Important: For additional information regarding Top Tier fuels and availability, please refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 04-06-04-047E for U.S. or 05-06-04-022 for Canada. Note: E85 FUELS: Only vehicles designated for use with E85 should use E85 blended fuel. E85 compatibility is designated for vehicles that are certified to run on up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. All other gasoline engines are designed to run on fuel that contains no more than 10% ethanol. Use of fuel containing greater than 10% ethanol in non-E85 designated vehicles can cause driveability issues, service engine soon indicators as well as increased fuel system corrosion. See Corporate Bulletin Number 05-06-04-035 for additional information. ^ Use the Recommended Grade (Octane) Fuel Purchasing higher than required octane fuel is a waste of money. Using higher octane fuels in a vehicle that only required regular unleaded fuel will neither increase performance nor improve gas mileage. In all cases refer to your owners manual and ONLY use the octane rated fuel recommended for your vehicle. Important: In high performance GM vehicles that DO require Premium (91 octane or higher) fuel, you MUST use fuels of at least this octane. Use of lower octane fuel may result in reduced performance, knocking, and/or permanent engine damage not covered under the terms of the New Vehicle Warranty. ^ Check Engine/Service Engine Soon Light - Is the Check Engine/SES light on? When this light is on, the vehicles On-Board
January 8th, 2008, 2:38 PM
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RE: please help -- car not running well suddenly
ok so they egr was replaced last night. i had a very light improvement in performance. by light, i mean the car hasn't been hesitating or choking as much. however, i still cannot drive it normally. i have to go very lightly on the throttle to drive normally otherwise, the motor bogs itself. if i put it to the floor, the engine will rev like normal then not shift when it hits the top. if i let off lightly at this point, the car shift normally. the mechanic did a fuel filter and fuel pump pressure test this morning and they were both perfect. a transmission "specialist" is road testing it this afternoon. i dunno why since it shifts normal. i wish i knew what was wrong. it's a real bummer having problems with this car. i really love it and just wish it would go back to the way it was before the bad gas.[
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January 9th, 2008, 3:16 PM
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RE: please help -- car not running well suddenly
to update, yesterday, they checked out the whole engine and transmission. the mechanic told me that aside from this problem, my car is actually in perfect shape, especially for the miles. he asked me to drop the car off again this morning. he wanted to check the catalytic converter. well, he dropped the exhaust around noon and had the cat off by one and sure enough, the cat is clogged. he told me it will be between $700 and $800 to repair but should be cheaper if i got to a meineke. will let everyone know if this solves the problem. in the meantime, thanks again for everyone's help!!!
January 9th, 2008, 5:02 PM
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RE: please help -- car not running well suddenly
sheesh you know im sorry... i completely forgot about that. my friends alero had the same problem. he said that he was driving on the highway normally and when he went to pass someone he hit the gas and didnt feel any sort of difrerence in speed. he turned of his music and listened as his car was "bogging" and he had to drive 15 miles an hour for 10 miles to get home. we tried everything. we put in new boots, plugs, this and that. when i finally said it just sounded like my r/c car when i put my finger in the exhaust port when i wanted to turn it off. i told him to run the car and im going to see how much exhaust flow there is. sure enough there was hardly a breeze coming out of his tail pipe. he took the cat off and bam. the inside combs had melted or rusted and blocked the exhaust. also when he ran the car and gave it gas, you could smell exhaust from the front of the car and there wasnt any leaks. it was coming from an idle tube by the throttle body. exhaust was backing up in the engine and coming out of the front it was that bad. he took off the exhaust and ran it straight from the exhaust manifold until the parts came in. needless to say i was right in the beginning and it was funny to see an alero drive down and be as loud as a stock car. we had blue flames coming from the manifolds... im happy i dont own that car but yes. im sorry i didnt piece it together sooner.
January 10th, 2008, 12:32 PM
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RE: please help -- car not running well suddenly
cams, thanks for the info. i'm gonna check the flow from the exhaust when i leave work today. i'm gonna feel so silly when i go out there and feel nothing from the back. all the extra stuff we looked at, i should have thought about my r/c car from the get go as well. that's the first thing i always used to check when i had loss of performance and i just completely neglected it this time. thanks again cams. hopefully i can help u out some day!