car acting odd

i have a 98 sunfire with the 2.2L and it is acting up. it will be fine and then all of a sudden it feels like it doesnt want to go and all kinds of black smoke comes out... i am hoping someone has had this problem before and can offer some advice on what it might be... thank you

black smoke is coming out of what, under the hood, the exhaust? be more specific so we can help diagnose the problem. And what do you mean it does not want to go? Does it stop all together, or hesistate, or not go full throttle?

black smoke from the tailpipe, engine very shakey at idle, if i am at a dead stop i have to floor the gas pedal to go like 15 mph, also the ets light on the dash will not turn off

It might be alot of things, if it is blueish smoke, it might be your piston rings. Get your engine checked out.

thanks for your help.... is there anyone else that can have an opinion on what might cause this problem

I seen on the last post you remarked that the ETS ligt comes on, this could mean a lot or nothing at all, first thing i suggest is Make sure the gas cap is in fact tight as the ETS light will come on if not ;) also change spark plugs just because they need replaced often anyway and theyre 5 or 6 bucks for the set(and could cause black smoke due to weak fire/unburnt fuel) next thing you may want to try is resetting computer by unhooking NEGATIVE battery cable for 15 to 30 minutes, then if light still comes on i would suggest letting a garage run a diagnostics test as it could be a map sensor, a fuel pressure regulator, a mass air flow sensor ETC.. hope this helps a little.


Drive fast or be last........

2 words .......02 sensor

You are correct...but being that he hasn't posted since Febuary I'm assuming he has since figured this out. Welcome to AF, but please don't bring old threads back to life.