2.2 Ecotec Cavalier Hard Starting

[C.CLARK33]

My daughters friend has a 2003 cavalier 2.2 we have changed plugs and plug boots it is still haveing a hard time starting.We have to keep turning it over and giving it the gas after a couple times it will crank with a little rough idle any ideas what else to check.

[[ion] C2]

technically you're "giving it air" not gas

clogged air filter
bad crank/cam sensor
huge vacuum leak

i assume there's no service engine soon light on

[C.CLARK33]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

technically you're "giving it air" not gas

clogged air filter
bad crank/cam sensor
huge vacuum leak

i assume there's no service engine soon light on

yes service engine light is on but for some odd reason it is showin no codes-forgot to mention we also changed air filter.

[[ion] C2]

if it has a cat it might be clogged

[C.CLARK33]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

if it has a cat it might be clogged

Do you think it could be the icm?

[[ion] C2]

anything's a possibility, being that you likely have airflow and fuel, it's either ignition or physical restriction like the cat

double check and make sure there's springs in the boots and everything is tight.. switch ignition modules if you have a spare or they're cheap

[C.CLARK33]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

anything's a possibility, being that you likely have airflow and fuel, it's either ignition or physical restriction like the cat

double check and make sure there's springs in the boots and everything is tight.. switch ignition modules if you have a spare or they're cheap

I will check all the things you have mentioned thanks for the help ion.

[C.CLARK33]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

anything's a possibility, being that you likely have airflow and fuel, it's either ignition or physical restriction like the cat

double check and make sure there's springs in the boots and everything is tight.. switch ignition modules if you have a spare or they're cheap

Should spark plug gap be .045 or .050?

[[ion] C2]

i gap to .028", but the factory calls for something around your numbers. i would go with .040" on that engine. go smaller like me if you think spark is weak or can blow out.

it's more than likely ignition or related sensors.

[C.CLARK33]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

i gap to .028", but the factory calls for something around your numbers. i would go with .040" on that engine. go smaller like me if you think spark is weak or can blow out.

it's more than likely ignition or related sensors.

Goin outside now to regap plugs its late but its gotta be done

[slownlow43]

+1 for something clogged, if it's trying to fire. This last winter I had a fuel line freeze up on me and it showed the same symptoms.

[darksobsession]

you dont need to adjust the gap on plugs for the ecotec, they come set to the correct specs

[[ion] C2]

Originally Posted by darksobsession

you dont need to adjust the gap on plugs for the ecotec, they come set to the correct specs

duh, they come "pre-gapped" for nearly every engine. no harm in checking to make sure it's right......

[C.CLARK33]

plugs were gapped at .055 no duh