2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

Reader Question: My 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier has started sounding like a lawnmower after being stuck in the snow one day. May be I have overdone it. I replaced its fuel filter and spark plugs. It fired right up and sounded great! Now if I hit the gas it dies.

What do you think? Is it intake manifold head gasket?

I am not sure where to go from here but I am a single dad and I want to do it myself if possible.

Thanks,

Eric

Hi Eric,

It is a good sign the engine is still running! I am not sure what could have happened just from being in the snow. Have you looked underneath the vehicle to see if you pulled something loose, like the exhaust system?

I would also open the hood of the vehicle with the engine running to see if you can tell where this noise is coming from. You might have pulled off a vacuum hose from the engine.

Double if not triple check your spark plug installation. Could you have gotten the wrong wire on the wrong plug and your ignition timing is now off?

Could you have unplugged something or broken a vacuum hose connection while you were installing your spark plugs? You can usually hear a hissing noise from caused by a vacuum leak under the hood.

Blessings,
Austin Davis