Car running awful...

[Fireball]

Alright,

So the car has been running a bit weird for a while... you'd get a sort of metronome feel in the acceleration (the power is there, then it's not.... then it's there.... then it's not).

Well I haven't been able to find/correct any source of this problem.... today it evolved to a new level... The car is practically gutless and if you give it any real power it may go, it may fall flat on its face... Either way it has trouble..

In neutral it seems to rev just fine, doesn't miss or have trouble... under load is when it gets really bad... before you wouldn't even notice it unless on the highway or something trying to accelerate uphill....

I haven't got a clue what this is.....could it possibly be a bad CAT??? The car has been doing this for a long time and would freely rev up to wherever you want it to without issue. The car also seems louder under acceleration as well... I have no codes... 2001 Malibu 3100...

I'd appreciate any advice, pointers, tips etc... I know the horrible path going to a shop without codes and only symptoms can lead to...

You may have to listen more than you have to hear in these vids...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66331041@N05/7680830360/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66331041@N05/7680827182/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66331041@N05/7680825714/in/photostream

Much appreciated,

Mike

[pocket-rocket]

I'm at work so I can't listen to the videos ( break is almost over) but my initial thought is your fuel filet is on the verge of being plugged, or your fuel pump is about to kick the bucket.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Fireball]

I'm at work so I can't listen to the videos ( break is almost over) but my initial thought is your fuel filet is on the verge of being plugged, or your fuel pump is about to kick the bucket.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

That would really suck.... that thought has certainly crossed my mind though..

[robertisaar]

i'd look into some of the ignition components.... they can fail intermittently and cause these kinds of problems. coils, wires, plugs.

[pocket-rocket]

Most ignition components I've seen either fail altogether or at high rpm, but not intermittently. Not saying it's not a possibility, but I if he doesn't know the last time the fuel filter was changed I would start there. I mentioned fuel because the intermittentness of it sounds lights the fuel pressure dropping and coming back. Just my opinion.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Fireball]

Most ignition components I've seen either fail altogether or at high rpm, but not intermittently. Not saying it's not a possibility, but I if he doesn't know the last time the fuel filter was changed I would start there. I mentioned fuel because the intermittentness of it sounds lights the fuel pressure dropping and coming back. Just my opinion.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Filter was done about a year ago

[3400-95-Modified]

videos sound like an ignition miss to me... or possibly a clogged cat.

[Fireball]

Also note,

This morning upon cold start up it ran relatively fine.... by the time I was at operating temp it was running like turd again...

[3400-95-Modified]

start testing ignition components then or have it scanned and see if there are miss fires registering or the Coolant temp sensor reading funky...

ICM's and CPS's will start to go funky with heat so that's why I say to test or swap out parts to test them.

[Fireball]

start testing ignition components then or have it scanned and see if there are miss fires registering or the Coolant temp sensor reading funky...

ICM's and CPS's will start to go funky with heat so that's why I say to test or swap out parts to test them.

So far my scan gauge doesn't register much as far as misfires... coolant temp steady 205... I may see if I can go to the junker and get some ignition parts to swap out and test... in the meantime I have a bit of an update..


Well... drove home tonight.. of course I worked late so everything is closed..
I did notice at idle my exhaust barely rattles (used to rattle like hell) anymore... also... the motor is louder than the exhaust (magnaflow) but both are pretty damn quiet at idle from in the car.

I got out and listened to the exhaust after I parked....very quiet.... before it would be burbling at the very least.... I didn't feel much air coming out of it but I'm not sure how much normally comes out at idle anyway...

Tomorrow I'm going to try take it to a shop... see what they say/do.. even a temp fix to drive it around until I can buy the CAT I want (if that is actually the issue) would be great....

[ga2001532]

Drill a hole before that cat

[pocket-rocket]

So far my scan gauge doesn't register much as far as misfires... coolant temp steady 205... I may see if I can go to the junker and get some ignition parts to swap out and test... in the meantime I have a bit of an update..


Well... drove home tonight.. of course I worked late so everything is closed..
I did notice at idle my exhaust barely rattles (used to rattle like hell) anymore... also... the motor is louder than the exhaust (magnaflow) but both are pretty damn quiet at idle from in the car.

I got out and listened to the exhaust after I parked....very quiet.... before it would be burbling at the very least.... I didn't feel much air coming out of it but I'm not sure how much normally comes out at idle anyway...

Tomorrow I'm going to try take it to a shop... see what they say/do.. even a temp fix to drive it around until I can buy the CAT I want (if that is actually the issue) would be great....

Sounds like your cat was/is plugged.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[3400-95-Modified]

agreed

[Fireball]

Map sensor wires shorting out... unbelievable...
At least it was a cheap/easy fix..

[3400-95-Modified]

find a stable map reading when scanning it?