Hi All,
Reasonably new Sunfire owner here, previously owned '97 sunfire coupe, 4 doors, think its a 2.8L engine with an automatic...and she's got some problems I can't easily explain. Any help would be appreciated.
Problem started about 2 weeks ago following a big rainstorm, car was running fine before, not so fine after.
Here's what's happening, for maybe the first 10 minutes of driving or till the car gets good and hot it idles roughly, at about 750 rpm or less, when stopped it lopes and the rev count can dive or stall, take off is slow and sticky and very much under powered. Once the car has gotten hot it doesn't usually happen again, though the last few days the car doesn't sound right, it has a chuff to the exhaust sounds, and a ticking in the engine compartment I haven't locked down. Occassionally, on very hot days the problem doesn't occur at all, and occassionally even though it wasn't doing it for hours sometimes late at night if the car has been parked it does it. On a standard I'd probably just have gotten into the habit of reving the engine while clutched out, but on an automatic its a more annoying, and probably faster to cause problems.
On the assumption its a gas related issue I've done a few basic things, oil change, air filter change, injector cleaner, upper chamber conditioner and cleaner, higher octane gas, and I was looking into a new fuel filter when I ran into my second problem. Jiffy Lube and Precision Tune won't do a filter change, and I haven't tools here to do it, because the fuel lines are rusted and the mechanics where afraid they'd damage the lines, and if they do they say they can't fix them. I'm slowly getting the impression there's not much in the way of after market parts for Sunfires. The local Pontiac repair shop is quoting $1061 to do the work on the assumption both lines are damaged replacing the filter. Its a costly repair in order to change a $25 part. They say that I could be looking at replacing a fuel line, the fuel pump, the filter and any seals and hangers as needed. Is there a cheaper way to fix this? I've heard of cheaters, a fule filter with similar sized lines that can be clamped to the existing fuel lines, but I'm not sure were to get one.
Does any of this sound familiar? Is it a common Sunfire issue? And is there a common known solution?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
TQ
I can't speak about the fuel lines, but they probably could need replacing. Fuel pump is IN the tank. If no visible sign of rust, could be they're boning you. My first filter job was VERY difficult ('Thanks' GM!), factory filter nasty to get off -- not-so-quick disconnects. Later filters came off easier. As for perfomance problem, what's the condition/age of both O2 sensors? Get the engine hot to ease removal. My economy shot up from 25 to 30 mpg on average after replacing mine. Downstream sensor is gonna be on the pricey side, fyi. How many miles on yer ride?
I would think that as the car was ok before the rainstorm and electrics and rainwater don't agree you should be checking the ignition first.
What type of ignition do you have in a '97?
Seems like when the car is hot/warm there is no problem
"On hot days it does not happen at all"
"Sometimes late at night it does not happen"
I would check to see that you do not have an ignition component shorting out until it is warm.
Alont
those lines wont need replacing. They are trying to scare you. If they were to go they would want to change the sending unit. you can get to the quick disconnect by using a plastic disconnect tool cut at an angle. Done it tonnes of times when the black plastic disconnect was broken off.
U can buy NEW quick disconnects at auto zone and advance auto in the help section right by the tools and the packages say for GM models cars etc.They are dirt cheap.
