Chevrolet Cruze Forums banner

CHUGGING CHUGGING CHUGGING. Bad gas???

12389 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  trav
Ok, just picked up a new to me 2011 Cruze ECO 1.4L 6 speed manual transmission 55,000 miles, during the test drive it ran good. then it felt like it lost power and chugged a little. I just figure I got under the turbo. or was in to high of a gear. didn't think much of it. on our way home not 5 minutes into the drive it starts doing it bad. wouldn't hold 6th gear at 70mph had to run 5th. and it would chug then too. but it would keep the speed. anyone else have this problem. could it be water in the gas? fuel filter maybe? or did I just buy a big pile of crap? :banghead:
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Sounds like you need new spark plugs or a coil. Also it runs much better on premium gas. If you are using regular it might be retarding the timing to avoid knock.
Pull off the Ecotec cover and check the PCV valve at the top right of the valve cover. Stick your finger over the little port - it should not be sucking air. If it is, the valve cover will need to be replaced, and this is creating a vacuum leak that makes the car run terribly.

If not, these cars do appreciate midgrade to premium fuel. The 2011-2013 models pull timing pretty severely to prevent knock on regular. You may also consider changing the spark plugs; they are probably due anyway.
http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/34-1-4l-turbo/21850-hesitation-gone.html
  • Like
Reactions: 1
While 87 octane isn't ideal, it's not nearly enough timing to prevent the car from not being able to hold speed in 6th gear. There's undoubtedly something other than fuel timing being pulled happening.

I would sure check the spark plug gap. Good chance the dealer replaced the plugs and our cars are terribly sensitive to the gap being set correctly.
If you just bought it.............take it back!
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Thanks guys, This will give me a good place to start. I would of taken it back but they were closing when we left and they are a Toyota dealer that from the looks of it have hard time changing oil.
Ill take it to the local dealership if I cant figure it out.
Take it back to the Toyota dealer.....let them take it to the Chevy dealer otherwise repairs will be on your dime.

Rob
  • Like
Reactions: 3
Sounds like bad coil pack or spark plugs to me, mine just went through that, ended up being the coil pack.
The Check engine light came on last night on my way home, it seems to do it the most between 2000 and 3000 rpm's. I haven't had a chance to check the plugs or pvc valve yet. hopefully tonight i'll have time to look at it.
With the CEL lit, it would be a good time to get the stored codes read out. That should help with the trouble shooting process.

Also, since it's a used vehicle, did you have the VIN checked to see if all of the recalls and bulletins for it have been done? I'm betting they weren't.
I looked on GM's recall web site, said there's no recalls for this vin. y buddies going to come over and plug his scaner in to it and see whats going on with it.
I looked on GM's recall web site, said there's no recalls for this vin. y buddies going to come over and plug his scaner in to it and see whats going on with it.
Hey Trav,

We are sorry to hear about this concern you are experiencing with your Cruze. If you do decide you would like to bring your vehicle to a certified GM dealership, we would be happy to assist you with this process. If so, please send a private message with your contact information, current mileage, VIN, and preferred dealership. Looking forward to your updates.

Cecil J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
Hey Trav,

We are sorry to hear about this concern you are experiencing with your Cruze. If you do decide you would like to bring your vehicle to a certified GM dealership, we would be happy to assist you with this process. If so, please send a private message with your contact information, current mileage, VIN, and preferred dealership. Looking forward to your updates.

Cecil J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
I sent you a Privet message. thanks
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top