Hi i bought a 97 3.8 camaro about a month ago with 128,000 miles on it and it has been starting real hard and the engine has been chugging.it takes like 4-5 times to get it started with holding the starter and when it first fires up it sounds kinda funny like its choking at first. it will start up first try if i only leave it sit for 5 minutes or so. when i accelrate hard it will quite often start chugging and bogging and jerk real hard. i was thinking it maybe the plugs or fuel pump. i changed the plug wires but it didn''t help at all. i would like advice to what it is or what i should do.

also today it was acting even worse. it felt real boggy and felt like the engine had more than usual vibration making the car vibrate and started to smell like burnt rubber. when i opened the hood you could see a little bit of white smoke coming up from the rear but center of the engine.

 

Is the SES light on? Codes? Could be a range of things from fuel filter, injectors, sensors, plugs, coil packs, cat. converter, vac leaks, and the list goes on.

 

the vacuum line to my gf's fuel pressure regulator got sheared when her pump gave out, and thats what her car does (we just gas it the second the engine starts to kick and it starts up fine after that). So you'll want to look into your fuel pressure regulator. Could also be a sign of a failing fuel pump. Its a GM thing. Enjoy geting that replaced

 

i am having the same probem but i found that the line from the passenger side manafold that wraps around back and comes to the front drivers side down by te steering linkage was melting and the emmissions unit..whatever it is..that is in between it and it continuing back up to the plastic intake from the air filter...has melted..i have no clue what is causing it but im thinking clogged cat..it also starts to clatter the valves if i drive it for more then a few minutes...anyone have any ideas?

 

Yes the SES light is on. havent brought it in. I'm doing that monday, so ill get codes then hopefully.

 

figured it out..it was the CAT..problem solved and runs great again..actually it never ran this good in the 18 months i have had it..lol

 

I took it in to my local shop and my coil was out so they put a new one in and my fuel prssure was dropping down to 38 and they said it should only drop to 48 at lowest. said my fuel pump is weak so thats why its bogging. anyone have any advice on if i should let them install one or do it myself? and whats a good cheap kind to get? they said it would run around 873$? Also does the 97 3.8 5 speed camaro have the fuel pump access through the trunk?

 

OK UPDate.

I just got the car back andit seems to be running better but i dont know if it will act up again. they said the fuel pump is weak cause they tested the fuel pressure and the range was 38lbs to 50lbs + they said it should not go lower than 48lbs they said. Is this true or is 38lbs normal. the stimate to replace is $878 w/fuel filter. they replaced ignition coil #2 an #4. should i just drive it for now with the fuel pump and eventually do it on my own? it doesnt seem that bad right now.