2000 Chevy Cavilier (rough idle)

[calphi27]

Just drove my gfs cav home after it died on her. It shudders while idling and dies. I had to keep it above 1k rpm in neutral so it would not die. It has about 50k miles on it. She just told me that it has never been in for anything besides oil. Yes i know, she and I already had a little chat about maintenance.

Fluids look fine, but that is all I could get to tonight. Tomorrow I will pull the codes and report back. Any advice would be appreciated.

ok so it is spelled cavalier

 

[Pin_Head]

Rough idling is often a vacuum leak. The codes may point you to a more specific source. Is the MIL on?

 

[Gumby]

Does it have the check engine light on?

If so, get us some codes. Could be a lot of things. Mass Air Flow meters are pretty common on those.

 

[calphi27]

Ok I finally got some codes. Here is my noob post from the cav forum:

"My 2000 cav started having engine problems. So instead of posting here first, I pulled 5 codes from it. I have 2 P0300, 2 P0442, and 1 P0130. It shudders, idles rough, and dies if I let it idle. If I keep the RPMs above 1k, it runs, but has barely any power. The fluids look ok at first check, and the engine bay looks normal.

I had to drive it home, about a mile, after it started doing this. I noticed a burnt smell when I got home too. This car is relatively new to me, and I hope it didn't do more harm by driving it home. Any ideas would be appreciated. I am trying to avoid taking it in to a mechanic.

The vehicle has about 50k miles on it too. Thanks in advance!"

The check engine lights are on and flash. I think only some of the cylinders are firing, so tomorrow I will check the plugs.

 

[calphi27]

UPDATE: I got the plugs and wires replaced. I turned the car on, and there was a noticeable improvement. I put it into reverse, and it shuddered, but not as bad as before. I put it in drive, pushed the gas, and it slowly crept forward. So the cav does not have any go at this point. Once the exhaust cools a little, I will replace that O2 sensor and the air filter. Would just an O2 sensor cause it to be gutless like it is?

I was kinda thinking it may be a clogged fuel filter (FF). I live in an apartment building, and have almost no tools, so I am trying to do what I can. Thanks again!

Oh yeah, it snowed here this morning, but thankfully the cav is under a carport!

 

[Gumby]

An O2 sensor will have no effect on a car in the first few minutes after cold start up.


A vacuum leak will give you all three codes you are seeing.

Bad fuel or a clogged fuel filter can cause the P0300 and the P0130.

A loose gas cap is a common reason for the P0442.

 

[calphi27]

Got the o2 sensor replaced and reset the PCM. I cleared the codes and drove it around. Still gutless, and it only trips the P0300 code now. My next step is to have it towed to her parents house and replace the fuel filter. I am leaving for Oklahoma tomorrow, so he will have to do it himself. Thanks for the info Gumby!