spark plugs

[caseye98]

First time here. I have a 2003 Malibu and everything was fine with my car until about 2 months ago. The car starts rough half of the time, runs rough and there is some sort of noise underneath my can that kid of sounds like there is a hole in the muffler, a tiny one. It also does not have the pep it used to have and I know cars wear out but this fast?

I bought it in 7/2003 with 6 miles on it and now it runs horribly. I bought a new battery and had the alternator checked. It is all good. Someone said it could be the transmission or the spark plugs. Are spark plugs hard to change?

[maxwedge]

Any check engine lites, runs rough you mean it misfires, or hesitates, ? How many miles, any recent work done?

[caseye98]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Any check engine lites, runs rough you mean it misfires, or hesitates, ? How many miles, any recent work done?

No check engine lights at all. Nothing on the dashboard comes on to indicate "check something". I have approx. 58, 000 miles on it. Only had oil changes, air filter changes, basic stuff. I had problems with it for like the first year I bought it but they fixed everything and it was nothing major. Car wouldn't start and they fixed it like 4 times. Don't recall exact reasons it was happening but don't think it has anything to do with previous problems.

Runs rough: doesn't want to take off as quick so yeah kinda hesitates. Just doens't want to go when I press on the gas. No misfires. Sometimes I go to start it and it takes 2 tries. I don't think that is the starter though. It's like it's not getting fuel when this happens. Although, a few times, when I shift from park to drive, the car sseems to shift too. Not "big time" and not all the time.

[wymi]

Clogged Catalytic converter maybe?

[maxwedge]

I'd replace the fuel filter and see what happens.

[caseye98]

well, we listened to the car tonight with the hood up. there is a minor clicking noise in the engine. a clicking that is not normal that is and you can hear the loss of power in the engine after it's been on a few seconds. the person listening to it said it could be a piston. any thoughts about that?

[gapboi210]

Well I am not sure about a clicking causing a loss of power. GM engines are notorious for clicking and tapping sounds. The most common is caused by piston slap. This normally would not cause a loss of power. I currently have a lifter noise which GM swaers is normal for these engines. I would start with a major tune up. Plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, maybe see about getting your throttle body cleaned too. See what this does. The book says no tune up needed untill 100,000 miles. Well, my ass 100,000 miles. Maybe under perfect ideal conditions. I pulled my plugs well before that and it was definitly time.

[caseye98]

well, i was going to do the 60,000 mile maintenence with all that done, the dealership where i bought the car wants $525 to do it. I called FIrestone, and a man there told me because it is an 03' all I need at 60,000 miles is oil change, air filter change and tires rotated. However, I drive my car alot. Probably 2800 miles per month and not ideal conditions. So, I am thinking that most of the "maintence" my brother in law can do. It is so freakin' expensive to get minor things done and it drives me crazy.

Thanks for all of the information.

[Speedy_1234]

Spark plugs are hard and easy to change the back ones are hard but not the front ones (if you want to change the sparkplugs do it when the motor is old) ok front easy the back you have to take the ign. coils off and there you need a angle plus a extesion also a lot of patinces cause it hard but not too hard

[BeatnikTermite]

Originally Posted by Speedy_1234

...the back you have to take the ign. coils off ...

You do not need to take the coils off. Just a good u-joint and a few extensions...and patience just like he said.

[Speedy_1234]

Nan but if you take off where the igncoils sit and the coils you won't need too many extisions only one I don't it a couple of time in my car

[gapboi210]

I never needed a u-joint. Just a short extension and a long extension. The worse thing was my back killed me from leaning over the motor. No I am not old and arthritic either LOL I am 21. Also all the damn little harnesses and clips were pissing me off. One of them made me gash my hand on the heat shield.

[bcopeland]

I did mine Sunday (while I listened to "Dum" Capers and the Texas go for the record). I used a spark plug socket with a rubber boot on the inside and it was fairly easy.

[Speedy_1234]

And also when the motor is cold not hot ok

[astrosurfer]

Originally Posted by caseye98

No check engine lights at all. Nothing on the dashboard comes on to indicate "check something". I have approx. 58, 000 miles on it. Only had oil changes, air filter changes, basic stuff. I had problems with it for like the first year I bought it but they fixed everything and it was nothing major. Car wouldn't start and they fixed it like 4 times. Don't recall exact reasons it was happening but don't think it has anything to do with previous problems.

Runs rough: doesn't want to take off as quick so yeah kinda hesitates. Just doens't want to go when I press on the gas. No misfires. Sometimes I go to start it and it takes 2 tries. I don't think that is the starter though. It's like it's not getting fuel when this happens. Although, a few times, when I shift from park to drive, the car sseems to shift too. Not "big time" and not all the time.

i'd bet money that it's your catalytic converter clogged.
you are using alot of gas too, right ?
starts fine but has no oomph, takes about five minutes to get to 70 mph,
speeding up and slowing down on interstate even with the cruise on, running about 3000 rpm to stay at 70 mph? then comes the sputtering and misfiring and the worry you will just stop any minute now !! clutching your cellphone coz you might need to make a call for help.
been there, it was changed for free because the catalyst is actually factory warrantied for 80,000 miles. i took mine back to my all star dealer expecting to be robbed blind but was really surprised by their honesty.