03' impala ls

[ebburtner]

I purchased an 03' Impala LS last August and a few months ago I had to take the car in to have the fuel pressure regulator replaced. Now I am having problems with when I start the car it chugs and doesn't idle smooth. Does anyone know what could be wrong? I would really appreciate some help. I hate dealing with the guys at the shop because they just blow me off and tell me there isn't anything showing up on the computer! I had to pretty much prove to them that the car wouldn't start before when they put the new fuel pressure regulator on it. Thanks for any help.

[Master Tech Dude]

I can't say for sure without being there to see the car myself but my shop sees a lot of problems with the EGR valves getting carbon particles trapped under the pintle which in turn creates a large vacuum leak at idle.

The only real way to confirm this is the problem is to remove the EGR valve being careful not to distroy the gasket and fully inspect the underside ports for the unseated pintle.

Compressed air or spray carburetor cleaner should easily remove the trapped carbon. Once the pintle is closed and fully seated, reinstall the EGR valve and run the engine to further assess the condition.

Let us know your results.

Dude

[ebburtner]

Thanks for your information! Should I take it to the dealer and have them work on it...It is still under warranty? Thanks again for the info!

Originally Posted by Master Tech Dude

I can't say for sure without being there to see the car myself but my shop sees a lot of problems with the EGR valves getting carbon particles trapped under the pintle which in turn creates a large vacuum leak at idle.

The only real way to confirm this is the problem is to remove the EGR valve being careful not to distroy the gasket and fully inspect the underside ports for the unseated pintle.

Compressed air or spray carburetor cleaner should easily remove the trapped carbon. Once the pintle is closed and fully seated, reinstall the EGR valve and run the engine to further assess the condition.

Let us know your results.

Dude

[Master Tech Dude]

If it is still covered under warranty, then by all means take it back to the dealer. They will be the ones to make the determination whether it is covered or not by the mileage, and year and month it was put into service. I am pretty sure it had a 36,000 mile or 36 month factory warranty.

Dude