1998 Chevy Malibu v6 3.1L 153,000 miles

eviljason · 08-20-2008, 06:50 PM

On the way to work one day, I felt a distinct lull in the engine, and the engine light came on. I was about half way to work, so i kept going.

My car from that point on has had very rough idling. I left it at a shop to do diagnostics.... they only said my engine sounded sick. and charged me $50 for the diag.

My car has a rough idle, the engine light blinks on and off repeatedly until i give it gas, then it stays lit.

While driving, it would be ok until i hit a red light and hit the brakes, at which point the car would stall out.

I talked to friends at work that knew anything about cars, and what i got from them is most likely the EGR valve.

I changed the valve myself and the car is still VERY rough idling, and struggling to stay running.

Since the EGR was changed, it has only stalled while shifting to once, but the rough idle and blinking engine light indicate (according to the manual) that it is a fuel problem.

any suggestions?

The car is an automatic in case anyone is curious.

BUDFAN8 · 08-21-2008, 03:14 AM

take the car to your local parts store and see if they will put a code reader on it. i know auto zone will do it for free not sure about others. this should send you in the right direction in fixing the problem.

after the computer is read let us know what codes you got and we will try to further help you.

also just for kicks, check your coolant level make sure it is full. also check the oil and see if its a good clear/brown color. those cars are known to have bad intake gaskets.

Bud.

08-20-2008, 06:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
eviljason Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP Pro	1998 Chevy Malibu v6 3.1L 153,000 miles On the way to work one day, I felt a distinct lull in the engine, and the engine light came on. I was about half way to work, so i kept going. My car from that point on has had very rough idling. I left it at a shop to do diagnostics.... they only said my engine sounded sick. and charged me $50 for the diag. My car has a rough idle, the engine light blinks on and off repeatedly until i give it gas, then it stays lit. While driving, it would be ok until i hit a red light and hit the brakes, at which point the car would stall out. I talked to friends at work that knew anything about cars, and what i got from them is most likely the EGR valve. I changed the valve myself and the car is still VERY rough idling, and struggling to stay running. Since the EGR was changed, it has only stalled while shifting to once, but the rough idle and blinking engine light indicate (according to the manual) that it is a fuel problem. any suggestions? The car is an automatic in case anyone is curious. Last edited by eviljason; 08-20-2008 at 06:52 PM.

08-21-2008, 03:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
BUDFAN8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 205 OS: XP	Re: 1998 Chevy Malibu v6 3.1L 153,000 miles take the car to your local parts store and see if they will put a code reader on it. i know auto zone will do it for free not sure about others. this should send you in the right direction in fixing the problem. after the computer is read let us know what codes you got and we will try to further help you. also just for kicks, check your coolant level make sure it is full. also check the oil and see if its a good clear/brown color. those cars are known to have bad intake gaskets. Bud.