Wtf???????????????

I woke up this morning at 4 AM to go to work. So I go outside and its snowing (Storm that hit us in MA) So I got to start the car cranks wont start. Do it again and boom it works. However the engine sounds like shit and the car was shakin like a bastard. I try driving and the thing was struggling to get to 40MPH. Did it the whole way for my 20 minute drive to Taunton, MA. Does anyone know what it could be. Sounded like the thing was running on 2 Cylinders / Clogged Exhaust. Any help is really needed.

I woke up this morning at 4 AM to go to work. So I go outside and its snowing (Storm that hit us in MA) So I got to start the car cranks wont start. Do it again and boom it works. However the engine sounds like shit and the car was shakin like a bastard. I try driving and the thing was struggling to get to 40MPH. Did it the whole way for my 20 minute drive to Taunton, MA. Does anyone know what it could be. Sounded like the thing was running on 2 Cylinders / Clogged Exhaust. Any help is really needed.
:feedback:

SOmething similar happened to me. If it doens't seem like it wants to shift and won't go faster than like 40 mph. WHat the problem was with mine was the catalytic converter or exhuast was plugged. Not sure if this is much help or not. But i had a similar problem.

Yeah dude, I would check the exhaust, sounds like a clogged cat to me.

I woke up this morning at 4 AM to go to work. So I go outside and its snowing (Storm that hit us in MA) So I got to start the car cranks wont start. Do it again and boom it works. However the engine sounds like shit and the car was shakin like a bastard. I try driving and the thing was struggling to get to 40MPH. Did it the whole way for my 20 minute drive to Taunton, MA. Does anyone know what it could be. Sounded like the thing was running on 2 Cylinders / Clogged Exhaust. Any help is really needed.
what was the temp outside ? could have been moisture that iced up and plugged your fuel filter?plugged cat is prob more likely but i thought i'd just throw that at ya too much info is usually better than too little

does it go away when its warmed up now?

sounds like fuel/spark related

if all of a sudden happened overnight then id defenty go with water in the lines or something..
cause I dont think a cat/muffler could clog that quick and the amount of power loss that quick

See if you can park it in a heated garage overnight. If it runs good again, I would say that it's something to do with spark or fuel.

I replaced the plugs just 5 mins ago checked the fuel filter its ok, checked the fuel injectors clean. I looked under the car and the exhaust is shaking like a fuck. It gives a strong smell. I think its the cat.

yep.. time for the high flow ehh lol...

It's def the cat

Well thats one mod off the list HAHHAHAHHA. HI-Flow Cat here i come LOL. Anyone know what company i should get and the price difference between an OEM and an Aftermarket? My mom is bitching "Im sick of you putting super duper things on your car when you dont need" To which i reply "but mom it makes my car run better/faster/cooler/awesome ahahahahah" mom replies "thats a bunch of bullshit" hahaha GOD I LOVE MY MOM HEHE :rofl:

Anyone know what company i should get and the price difference between an OEM and an Aftermarket?:

this thread might help you
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=484530

Does the 2.2 Ecotec have any O2 sensors. Thats the only thing i didnt freakin check.

I absolutely love my magnaflow that i got from gravana

Does the 2.2 Ecotec have any O2 sensors. Thats the only thing i didnt freakin check.

pretty sure theres on after the cat so there should be one b4 it

Yea theres one after the cat and on the header. Well heres an update i disconnected the cat back and its clean and clear. I have a 6hp air compressor so i but air through with no prob. Now the prob I have is that the bolts that connect the header and cat are rusted. Im in the middle of taking off the header due to the angle i cant get a good grip on the bolts. Now my question. If i take off my header do I have to replace the gasket/seal thing between the header and the block? My buddy told me if i take it off i have to replace it.

Also when i took of the O2 Sensor i stuck my finger in the cat and a piece came out. It looked like freakin charcoal. Any idea what it is?

I also cant find a direct fit hi flow cat. Is there only universal hi flow cats? Also if hi-flows are just universal would i just cut mine off and weld on the new one?

Also when i took of the O2 Sensor i stuck my finger in the cat and a piece came out. It looked like freakin charcoal. Any idea what it is?

if it looks like honey comb kinda stuff... like millions really tiny squares that thats the peice of the element inside the cat...
if I were you Id just gut the cat..
shake it around.. if u hear shit rattling around then its fubar'd

Id replace the exhaust gaskit anyways.. because you have it off. and they are only cheap... eventually they leak so its better to replace it now

How much is it?

Does the 2.2 Ecotec have any O2 sensors. Thats the only thing i didnt freakin check.If it's OBDII there is one pre- and post-converter. Pre OBDII there usually was only one. The post converter is used to monitor the efficiency of the cat. It doesn't enter into the performance or emission calculations in any way.

How much is it?

not sure .. cant be more then 50 bucks

I had that same problem whenever it rained or it was damp out... it was the coil packs... not an easy part to change, but it works a hell of a lot better now. but now when I was trying to go to work at 6am this morning in all the snow it wouldnt start... i couldnt figure out what was going on. i left it for a bit and came back, it started and then i noticed my plug wires are cracked and there are sparks comming out all over the place on them... so those will be getting replaced today. I just replaced all the brakes pads/shoes/rotors/drums yesterday. Worst car I ever had

I just had the same problem 3 days ago. The car sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders and finally found out it was running on 2. The problem was the coil-pack on to of the motor (hiding the spark plugs) That's what it sounds like to me. The coil-pack tells which spark plug to spark and sometimes theybreak inside even though they look good outside. Check it out and let us know!!!!

I just had the same problem 3 days ago. The car sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders and finally found out it was running on 2. The problem was the coil-pack on to of the motor (hiding the spark plugs) That's what it sounds like to me. The coil-pack tells which spark plug to spark and sometimes theybreak inside even though they look good outside. Check it out and let us know!!!!


Hey... I just replaced another coil pack today too! (that makes the 4th time) YAY FOR CAVS!

and they are a pain in the ass to change too.... what were they thinking putting them on the back of the motor?? impossible to reach from the top, difficult to reach from the bottom.... need to be pretty much all the way under the car just to reach it.

Well i replaced the cat but the coil packs need to be replaced. I pulled out the plugs yesterday and cylinder 2 & 3 plugs were all black and smelled of gas while 1 & 4 were fine. One problem though. I replaced my cat with a hi-flow 2.5" However i still have the stock 2" due to the fact that im still waiting for my 2 90degree Mandrel bent pipes. The thing was red hot. Any ides whats wrong?

I bet if your coil pack isn't firing properly, then unused fuel is getting through to the exhaust. Once the exhaust gets hot it would start to burn the unspent fuel. That chunk of coal is most likely built up carbon from this happening for a long time. The carbon will soak up more fuel the next time you drive and also be the source of ignition. Real visious cycle!

Well one good thing to say is that you didn't waste any money replacing the cat. It was most likely plugged up where you couldn't see. Just try not to run the car until you get the coil pack replaced or you might plug this cat too.

Well i brought it to my mechanic i need my car and dont have the time to do it quickly.

Well i brought it to my mechanic i need my car and dont have the time to do it quickly.

let us know the prognosis :p (the solution)