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Chugging at take off

17914 Views 20 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  obermd
I put a bunch of miles on my 1.4T this weekend on Labor Day vacation. But I have noticed at take off from a dead stop it chugs a little bit, almost like the front end is vibrating. Kinda like if I took the traction control off and just mashed it, the front end kinda goes loose. I only have like 1500 miles on my Eco and it is bothering me that I go to take off and I can feel it in the front end.

Anyone else experience something similar?
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what octane are you running? does it in first gear and is it just a quick happening concern or does this happen the entire time of acceleration?
Im running just regular unleaded so 87. And its in first gear and only until shift into second gear
How hot was it outside? If it was hot, then try 91 octane, the issue will likely go away and you'll like the performance and gas mileage you get better. The additional cost for premium gas is at least offset by the improvement in mpg.
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Did you have A/C on. if so the extra rotational mass of the ac compressor will make it lug at a stand still.


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Ahh, now that I think of it the A/C was on since I was doing mostly highway driving. I will have to notice it next time its on and I will also try 91 octane. I think that will help a lot too.

Thanks for the responses!!!!
Sorry if this has been addressed, but have you checked your spark plug gap?
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I put a bunch of miles on my 1.4T this weekend on Labor Day vacation. But I have noticed at take off from a dead stop it chugs a little bit, almost like the front end is vibrating. Kinda like if I took the traction control off and just mashed it, the front end kinda goes loose. I only have like 1500 miles on my Eco and it is bothering me that I go to take off and I can feel it in the front end.

Anyone else experience something similar?


carbon419,
If you feel that you are still experiencing this issue after trying the different suggestions from the other members I would suggest that you take your Cruze into your dealer and have them look into this for you. I would also like you to keep me posted on this and if you have any other questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact me anytime.
Thank you,
Stacy Chevrolet Customer Service
So I owe 2012 ECO version and lately I have noticed that my car has been chugging at the stop light. Anybody knows anything about it? It seems like it only does whenever is at the stop light in drive. I just started using 91 and I also put a seafoam in it too like 200 miles ago. Any help is appreciated!
gmoney, define "chugging". Are you talking about the engine speed not stabilizing at idle? If so, this is a sign of a vacuum leak, which would most likely be the camshaft cover/PCV valve leaking.
Chugging more like heavy breathing that is unstable but it only does at the stop light when in drive. It is like having problem with breathing and it does that for few seconds and then goes away. Is this normal?
+1 on the PCV cover.

Remove the spark plug cover and find the round disc with a vent at the top right. Stick your finger over it - if working properly, you should NOT feel suction or be able to discern a change in idle.
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just hit it with carb cleaner idling cold and see if the idle changes.You could try it warm to.At any rate if the idle changes the valve cover is no good.
So I owe 2012 ECO version and lately I have noticed that my car has been chugging at the stop light. Anybody knows anything about it? It seems like it only does whenever is at the stop light in drive. I just started using 91 and I also put a seafoam in it too like 200 miles ago. Any help is appreciated!
Hey Gmoney,

Please let me know if you need any assistance contacting the dealership. We are more than happy to look into this further for you and reach out to them! Feel free to send me a private message along with your VIN, current mileage, contact information and preferred dealership.

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care
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Also how many miles cause plug gap may be horrible and in need of changing as XR was saying way back when.
Did exactly what you told me to do and nothing has changed in idling and could not feel any suction. The chugging doesn't happen every time, it does once in a while.
Sorry if this has been addressed, but have you checked your spark plug gap?
I read about the plug gap on a sticky, is there clarification if the MY 2015 (ECO) have also noted the gap being wrong? And is the goal still around .035"?
The plugs on the 1.4T can be run up to 0.037" However, due to plug gap growth you will very likely start experiencing spark blowout under higher loads starting around 2500 RPM. Because of this GM came back and changed the gap for new plugs to be 0.025" to 0.0274". Set new plugs to 0.028 and older plugs to 0.030". I just put my NGK BRK7EIX plugs back in and set them to 0.029".
The plugs on the 1.4T can be run up to 0.037" However, due to plug gap growth you will very likely start experiencing spark blowout under higher loads starting around 2500 RPM. Because of this GM came back and changed the gap for new plugs to be 0.025" to 0.0274". Set new plugs to 0.028 and older plugs to 0.030". I just put my NGK BRK7EIX plugs back in and set them to 0.029".

Put them back in, as in, you took them out at some point?
I just put a set of those in mine a few weeks ago.
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