Clicking sound - lurching, no power

[diggisaur]

I have a problem with a 98 cavalier 116k miles.

The car seems very rough when idle. Almost as if its choking for gas. I am gonna replace the fuel filter and had already down plugs. It also is even more rough in neutral.

When accelerating sometimes it isnt their as if it isnt get enough gasolene. Then it might lurch forward or shudder into a higher speed.

Its an AT and shifting sounds good during acceleration, other than the other problems.

Sometimes when I accelerate I hear clicking but cant seem to place it.

The car drives fine after its accelerated and im driving and NO problems when it is deacclerating or braking.

My thought have been a clogged fuel filter or fuel pump or injectors.

Thanks for help.....

[venus]

sounds like the injectors. I had a 98 do that at about the same mileage and have almost the same symptoms. Mine gave me some clues though for about 6 months before, it would run rough for about 10 minutes till it warmed up, then run fine. The check engine light would come on then turn off by the next day.

MIne had the same symptoms, almost like it needed a tune up, it would almost die on idling and litterly jerk so hard when it changed gears. Sounds alot like yours.

[canadian_guy280]

I had my '97 do the exact thing. I just got a new set of plug leads and replaced them. It turned out my spark was arcing, double check for black spots on your plug leads. It could be possible that you arn't running on all cilinders.

[jayson716]

injectors would cause this also.. try a cleaner or if that dont work u might need new injectors.

[singersp]

Hopefully, I just got mine fixed. I asked pretty much this same question a couple of weeks ago. I got no reply. I had Autozone check the diagnostics & it came up with "replace the EGR valve". I did, but it didn't resolve the problem. Injectors weren't the problem on mine, they were working fine, but you should hasve them checked or cleaned. Make sure you have good plugs & replace the plug boots as well. Add some injector cleaner to your gas. I used seafoam. I also replaced the fuel filter & the oxygen sensor. All these helped but it didn't fix the problem. It would still sometimes jerk & stammer on accelerating from a stop to start in 1st gear unless I reved the engine & then let out the clutch. This never happened when the engine was cold, but more so when it was warmed up.But I believe I found the main culprit today. I was checking for a possible vacuum leak & I found one! The 7/32" vacuum line from the MAP sensor was almost in half right at the bottom of the fitting where it makes a 90 degree bend & was also weather checked & cracked. It was a cheep fix! the line is only about 5" long. It's worth checking out. Vacuum leaks will cause all kinds of engine problems. I just finished fixing it as well as my "No lo beam" problem so I didn't give it a thourough test drive yet. I will tomorrow & let you know how it pans out.
Steve

[singersp]

I put 90 mi. on my car today after replacing the MAP sensor vacuum line. The problem is gone! no more lurching or staggering.