After replacing plugs and valve cover gasket it will not stay running

Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 173,000 MILES
I have something going on with my aunts car. It need plugs and valve cover gasket. Car run good for being so old. After putting new plugs and changing gasket now you start the car rpm's going up and down then shuts off. Any help would be great.
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 10:25 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

I heard a noise in the video that I did not like. Recheck your work and make sure the parts under the cover are secure.

When we do those tune-ups, we replace the coils, cap boots, and the module. It is common for the cap to have cracks and cause misfires.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Roy
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 AT 1:36 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
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Okay, I will check them. Thanks for your time.
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 AT 3:31 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 AT 3:35 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
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What does this go to?
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 AT 7:37 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I cannot see what you are talking about at all.

Can you be more specific?

Roy
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 AT 7:40 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
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That is where the gray vacuum hose plugs into on the throttle body.
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You are missing a vacuum line there. You need to find the line and reconnect it.

I attached a vacuum diagram for you to view.

Roy
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 AT 7:52 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
It seams like when the car is cold runs good then when it starts heating up that’s when it acts up?

I tried to back the car up and it died on me I had to hold my foot and the gas a little. When driving it runs good until I come to a stop it’s shuts off and acts up until I give it a little gas.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
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Did you connect the hose to the throttle body?

Did you replace the cap under the valve cover as we discussed?

What additional work did you perform?

Roy
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Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 AT 3:59 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
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Yes, I have plugged everything back up.

Yes, I put new plugs and caps.
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Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 AT 4:03 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Are there any codes stored in the system?

I would also clean the throttle body of any carbon build up as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Roy
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Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 AT 4:08 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
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There are no codes at all.
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Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, did you clean the throttle body as the guide suggested?

Like I was saying before, I replaced the plugs, boots, cap, coils and module on these cars as doing only one or 2 pieces, we always had running issues.

Roy
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Friday, October 23rd, 2020 AT 4:24 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
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Yes, I cleaned the throttle body today and still doing the same thing. I don’t get it what else can it be?
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 10:25 PM
Tiny
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Just to be sure, I posted a picture of the coil housing.

Did you replace this as it is critical.

Roy
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Sunday, October 25th, 2020 AT 4:13 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
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Okay, so I was driving and the service engine soon came on then it gave me this code.
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Friday, October 30th, 2020 AT 10:28 PM
Tiny
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What is the code number?

Evap code will not cause this issue.

Roy
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 3:45 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
  • MEMBER
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That’s the only code I got and it don’t make a lock of sense to me you think you will be getting codes of some kind when driving the car. I know it uses a lot of gas and you can smell it bad.
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
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I asked if you replaced the cap a couple posts ago. Can you please tell me if this was done?

Roy
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Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 5:34 AM
Tiny
JAY RUSSELL
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Yes I did.
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Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 6:23 AM

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