Question: 1998 Chevy Malibu
I have a 1998 Chevy Malibu 2.4 liter and need your help. I was driving to Orlando and then when I let go of the gas to slow down I felt a hesitation as if it was the fuel pump. Just to let you know everything has been fine with no problem and this just happen out of the blue. So as I was driving I smell a strong smell of gas and a white like smoke coming out of the muffler.
So I had it towed back home and started checking the fuel lines, nothing. Check if my fuel pump is bad nothing, checked the fuses and even the spark plugs and still nothing. All 4 spark plugs are really good and dry with no deposit. Only maybe #2 was only slightly darker then the other two.
Okay so getting to the point in what I have notice as my car just is in my parents yard. The car itself starts fine with no problem at all and sounds really good too but then you hit the gas a hesitation starts and I get white smoke that smells like pure gas as if it was running right in the exhaust with a little water like but really gas. If you try to drive it its hard to even reach 20 mph without a hesitation.
I could fix my own car with no problems I just don't want to take the car to the dealership and get milked for the tight money that I really don't have. I just really wanted to know what's the problem. Also just in case this helps, my dad did a diagnostic on the car and came with an error of maybe the ignition coil/module assembly so I change that too and still the same problem. My dad thinks it's the computer or true name the PCM. Please help.
Last question if I get a used PCM from the same year and model of the car do I really have to get it to the dealership to reprogram it. Just wondering I understand if it was a new PCM I have too but one that already came from the same year and all why should I have too.
I really hope you have time for this email and shine a light to my path for me to get my baby back running again. this one car deal is really hurting the family
Thank you again,
Eugene
Answer: First off Eugene I can't tell you what is wrong with your car. In this venue the best I can do is offer suggestions as to what the problem might be and things to check for. Also, in the future please send me the actual code number(s) so I can be more specific in my recommendations.
The first thing you need to do is replace the fuel filter. Most of the time a clogged fuel filter can cause symptoms like this. Then we need to get Back To Basics. Many times a big problem is caused by something small, such as a broken vacuum line.
Once we know the basics are good then we need to do some further testing. First we need to do a wet/dry compresson test and a cylinder leakdown test to see if we're looking at a blown head gasket. If that checks out good we then need to do a fuel pressure and volume test.
I don't recommend replacing the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) at this point untill we eliminnate every other possibility. After you do your test and still come up with nothing then it might be worth an $85.00 diagnostic to confirm a bad PCM. If it is indeed a bad PCM, then you can get one from a junkyard but make sure the one you get as the same exact part number as yours. Depending on how much it is you may want to consider getting a new one from the dealer. They are only about. $235.00 and come with a warranty.
