Hello.
I got this 96 Cavalier, 2.2L, for free. Was given to me with the assumption that it needed a throttle postion sensor. I messed with the car a little bit before I tried to drive it home. It was only showing a code for running rich @ bank1. So I replaced the upstream O2 sensor. Drove it home and it threw a knock sensor code, I replaced it, reset the codes. Now it is still running like crap, undrivable, and won't throw any codes.
I've tested the fuel injectors thoroughly, plug power, resistance, pulsing ground. I inspected the fuel pressure regulator as much as I could, pulled the vaccum line off, sniffed, smelled like gas, ran the car for a second with the vaccum line off, no fuel came out so the diaphram must still be good. I checked the plugs. #1 and #2 looked decent, #2 was still a little wet, I hadn't ran the car in 2 days. #3 and #4 looked dry as crap, and ashy (white). Someone was running Bosch Plat's which I've heard weren't the greatest in these cars. Also, while I was testing pulsing ground I still had the plugs out, and while my wife was cranking the motor I noticed #1 cylinder was shooting out a lot of fuel, #4 not so much, but it didn't seem like #2 and #3 were sending any.
The popping out of the intake kind of makes me lean towards a timing issue, but haven't checked into it yet. The plug condition and popping could also indicate a lean condition. I'm just drawing a blank right now, I'm pretty handy with cars, but this one has me stumped.
The symptoms are:
No Power
Heavy fuel smell
Popping out intake
Bogs down on heavy throttle
Here is a short vid of me trying to show some of the symptoms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr__ZF852TA
Popping through the intake could be a bad timing issue. In the 3rd Gen forum there is a free downloadable manual you can DL and it will tell you almost every aspect of the car. I would bet that ur FPR is bad. When u pull off the line and smelled gas in the vaccuum tube, that tells you ur FPR is bad. It may not leak fuel by itelf, but one vaccuum is applied, some leaks out into the tube. I would say replaced it for good measure. I would pull the Bosch plugs out, and do a complete tune up on it. Simple AC Delco plugs, wires, Fuel Filter, and Air filter. Then go from there. If you got the car for free, putting a little money into it isnt a bad idea. Start fresh with the best you can. Also, The ashey white on the SP tip means its firing right. But replace them and get a set of Delcos in there. I know this has shown up a few times with these cars having a pulse like urs does. Try these, and go from there. Goodluck, I hope this helps somewhat.
Thanks for the help. Fiddled with the crank position sensor today to find it loose, and the retaining bracket missing, went to remove it and it separated from the casing it goes in, so new one is in order. Next step:
Plugs
CPS
Fuel FIlter
FPR
It sounds to me like a CPS - your symptoms are EXACTLY what a bad CPS sensor will cause.
Though everything else should probably be done - especially since the car was free, you have no idea what the car has been through, or what maintenance (or lack there of) has been done.
Good luck!
Well, some news.
I was checking things over, electrical connections and the like, when I noticed the crank sensor was movable. The plastic piece of the sensor was actually movable without much force, and the retaining clip was gone. I tried to pull the sensor out and the plastic and metal sleeve separated, permanently breaking the connection inside. So now I have to replace it regardless.
Well don't I feel stupid, I already posted that. I'm tired.
You know, I never thought about the CPS. Good call man. Keep us posted and let us know how it goes.
Crank sensor didn't fix it. Still troubleshooting. After running it and pulling the plugs the tops of the pistons are still wet, too much fuel?
