problems when car reaches running temp for 20 mins

[Ballstar32]

This is in regards to an 02 with the ecotec engine. Car has 100k miles and just changed the plugs. The car keeps bucking as soon after the car gets warm. Then, today the car shut off and wouldnt turn over until it cooled off. I had the car towed home and plan on working on it in the morning. My first guess is the fuel pump but wanted to know if the oxygen sensor(s) could cause this. The SES light came on just the last time it stalled. It just appear like the car gets the proper fuel then it cuts or doesnt get enough and it was back and forth causing a not very steady acceleration. Any help would be appreciated.

[GTP Dad]

Check the fuel pump relay in the power control center under the hood. It may be going bad. Also if you can get it to run to get it to an Autozone have the computer scanned for codes, this will tell you a lot. Finally, you may be developing a problem with the crank position sensor. When they go bad they can cause abrupt stalling and will not restart until they cool down.

One other thing to check is to make sure that the security light did not come on when this happened. The security system can also cause a problem like this and will usually reset after 20 minutes although it will not throw a CEL.

By the way O2 sensors can cause a car to run rough and a clogged cat can cause a loss of power. I don't think that is your problem however!

[Ballstar32]

Im going to try to take it to autozone in the morning when there is no traffic. I changed the fuel filter today but of course that did notta, but I figured I would try. The relay appears ok but how would I know if its on its way out the door. Im going to take off the cat and see what kind of build up it has.... I also suspected the o2 sensors because the muffler was ripped off when my mother backed out of somebodys driveway and I suspect it could have nudged somestuff around on the exhaust. But the rough ride didnt appear after that happened though.

[Ballstar32]

code was system is too lean..... so its something in the fuel system im assuming..... any ideas other than fuel pump.... i got the filter on and ac delcos in and now the dang thing wont start.... no leakage at the filter either.

[Ballstar32]

Where is the fuel pump located on the 2.2L? I'm guessing the top of the tank. Is there an easy way without dropping the tank? Also what is the size of the fuel line? Also would the hall sensor throw a lean code and could there be a problem with a puralator filter? Should I throw my old ac delcos on and see if the car will start. I just don't understand how I can change the plugs and fuel filter and the car will crank but wont stay on. This car is confusing.

[GMMerlin]

Originally Posted by Ballstar32

Where is the fuel pump located on the 2.2L? I'm guessing the top of the tank. Is there an easy way without dropping the tank? Also what is the size of the fuel line? Also would the hall sensor throw a lean code and could there be a problem with a puralator filter? Should I throw my old ac delcos on and see if the car will start. I just don't understand how I can change the plugs and fuel filter and the car will crank but wont stay on. This car is confusing.

Slow down sport..all these questions and no info could give a man a headache

Lets start at the beginning..what was the code? Was the car doing this before you replaced the plugs or after?
You said a lean code, so it could be low fuel pressure or could be a misfire that turned on the light.

If your car won't start, you need to check for spark and fuel.

[Ballstar32]

Not sure of the exact code I just had discount tell me the code and they threw away the slip. Whatever the code is for the system is too lean. The car was doing the bucking before and after I changed the plugs. Today I changed the fuel filter and it starts up and bogs down and turns off(this is also after multiple attempts to crank after getting the air out of the line). I check the all around the fuel filter to see if it was leaking and I was losing pressure and nothing. Right now i got the car on jack stands and starting to pull out the tank. I figure 100k miles it probably needs a new pump and it has a lifetime warranty so whatever it can be changed. Its hard to explain what the car is doing but I'll try. Before today I was able to drive the car for approx 20 mins with no problems and then with partial throttle it would start bucking at 45 mph and progressively get worse. Say I stepped on the gas a bit it would jump from 3k rpm to 2.5k rpm and make some severe jumping. I checked the relay and it appears fine and discount didnt have the part in stock because i was going to change it anyway. I have no idea what a hall sensor is or where I can find it but I dont think that is the problem. I also ran fuel injector cleaner but what are the chances of all 4 injectors getting clogged at once in the span of 2k miles at the most. Sorry, about all the questions I'm just trying to get this fixed because I live through this car .

[GMMerlin]

1 of 2 things could be going on and I'm leaning towards fuel as the culprit.
Do you have a way to test fuel pressure?

[xeroinfinity]

if the filter/screen on the fuel pump has holes in it, debrea can contaminate the fuel system. Cleaners for fuel systems can also loosen stuff up in the fuel lines and plug all 4 injectors.Its not likly they all are pluged, but I've seen stranger things in my day.

I think they should put another fuel filter closer to the engine. I keep geting misfires on cylinder 3(makes it run rough w/poor excelleration). Its just weird how only #3 throws the code. All my injectors/filters are new and still get them often. Been thinking its the wife getting bad fuel from unknown sources.

[Ballstar32]

Well I have been using this car because my celica was totaled in a pretty bad accident where I was sitting at a red and got hit head on. My parents have run this car out of fuel multiple times many times where I show up with a gas can for them. They get fuel for the cheapest amount even if it is a run down nasty mom and pop store. I have nothing to test the fuel pressure but I just got the pump and have the tank sitting in the garage.... maybe took me 45 mins to get off. I'll keep you guys updated with what happens when i get it on... should be about 30 mins or so til I'm done.

[Ballstar32]

pump is on and the car is a champ again. thanks for the help anyway guys but it was what I had suspected.