Just like everyone elses problems

So I've been reading everyone else's posts and it seems like I can add my car to the LONG list of crappy Alero's. I bought my 2002 in Feb and just recently I have had the SES light, ABS light and Trac Off light come on. Now today it's started to chug. Kinda. It usually happens after you start it. Sometimes it will run for a few mins and then it will get all choppy and chug and then slowly die. Other times I will start it and I will be lucky if it runs for a whole minute. My boyfriend was standing behind the car when I would start it and he noticed that it would smoke black. Would condensation have to do with anything? Cause I've noticed alot of water coming out sometimes, to the point where my exhast would really chug to get past the water build up. I've tried adding that water remover stuff, but it begins to add up in money seeing as you have to add it every tank. Any helpful ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

If you're getting too much water in your exhaust, I would try changing to better quality gasoline. This may not solve your problem exactly, but I know gas at place like 7Eleven and such have more water in it than say at places like Shell, Texaco, and Conoco.

Jeremy

At 94.9 cents/L its hard to change to a better gasoline... Generally I fill up at Domo or Petro Canada.

Ok so now to add to my story. This morning I went to start my car, it started, then I changed from A/C to heat and my car just died. Now it turns over but never catches... I REALLY HATE ALEROS!!!!

Quick question: what year is your car? I know you said you purchased it in 2002, but was it brand new? Also, what engine do you have?

Jeremy

It would be nice to know the mileage on the car too. Has the fuel filter even been replaced? If not you can start there.

No bought the car in feb of this year and its a 2002 as for the milage its at roughly 82,000 kms... I don't know if the fuel filter has ever been changed. I haven't changed it since I bought it. It's a 2.2 Ecotec... Standard... 4 Door...

I have to say that I am very surprised that you are having issues with the 2.2 Ecotec. It's probably one of the best small block engines that GM has ever made.

Jeremy

Well it's currently in the shop right now. I should hear back from the mechanic in the morning. I sure do hope its nothing major! Thanks for letting me know your opinion on the engine though, because I haven't seen anything on here about the Ecotec. It boosts my spirits a little with the hope that it isn't anything major.

Ok so I got my car back, and it was the fuel pump. But as for my ABS lights and such, they said I need a whole new hub???

^^ there right
costs about $300 usd for a shop to do it. About $100 if you can do it yourself.

Water coming out of your exhaust pipe doesn't mean you have water in your gas. Water is what's left over after the combustion process that takes place in your engine and after the catalytic converter does its job. The converter changes unburned hydrocarbons (fuel) and carbon monoxide into water vapour and less harmful carbon dioxide. The reason you see more of it when you first start your car is that the heat that was built up in the system from the previous day's driving allowed moisture to condense and gather in the exhaust system and when you first start your car the condensed moisture is blown out.

Ok so I got my car back, and it was the fuel pump. But as for my ABS lights and such, they said I need a whole new hub???



It had to be replaced because the fuel filter was never changed.. I know because thats what happened to my pump... Change it everyother time you get your oil changed.... Learn from this the hard way......

bnaylor3400- You think it could be an egr? If she/he saw black smoke, that could be it or cracked head, worse case cenero. i would try 90oct or better.