Hi there,

once again, I need you guys help.

I have a 2001 RS camaro and since last nite, Im having issues with the engine. First last nite it wouldnt start. I think the starter is OK, but the engine would stall after 2-3 seconds. So I gave it a rest til this morning and this morning it started OK, but then the engine ran rough, I mean the car was kind of shaking more than usual. I took it for a short drive and noticed the following:

- the engine runs rough when I get to lower RPMs and at idle
- loss of power a especially when starting from stop signs/lights
- an odor of sulphur and rotten egg
- I checked the oil level and it diminished by half since my last oil change mid-Feb (4,000miles).

Any idea what the problem is? Im thinking of bringing it in for a 60,000 miles check tomorrow or Friday. Is it safe to drive (10 miles)??

Thanks for your help/advice, regards MJ

 

I have always been told a rotten egg smell is usually the catalytic converter has gone bad... which will correspond with loss of power.

 

If your engine is running rich, raw gas will be going into the catalytic converter, making the converter get a lot hotter than it's supposed to, and that can give you the rotten egg smell. Running too rich could also explain why the engine is running crappy.

 

Oh, OK thanks for the explanation. Any idea then what usually causes an engine to run rich??

 

A number of things can affect your fuel mix, like...fuel injectors, sensors, fuel pressure regulator. Most of those would trip the SES light though, is yours on?
Look at the cat and see if it's turning red on you. Since you notice something wrong at low rpm's, let the engine idle for a few minutes before you check the cat.
About your oil, you said it diminished by half after 4k miles. Do you mean half the mark on the stick between add and full, or do you mean you lost about 2.5 quarts?

 

Yes, my SES light is on, it even started blinking yesterday, just before I decided to give it a rest.
Regarding the oil, I mean half the mark on the stick, what I find pretty much already, but maybe Camaros are known for being oil burners??

Thanks anyways for your input, MJ

 

Have your car scanned to find out what the error code is.
Engines do use a certain percentage of oil between changes. Yours is a half quart in 4k miles, that's really not bad. Anywhere within one quart between oil changes is considered "normal".