I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. If this is somewhere else I couldn't find it and apologize for that. I just bought my first MC and am in love with it. After having it for about a week I've come across a few issues I need some help with. Sometimes the car will start "chugging" after start. It chugs between about 750 and 1,000 RPMs. A little tap on the accelerator and it stops. I replaced my fuel regulator thinking that might do it and it didn't. The second issue is getting it started. Sometimes it starts right up and sometimes it cranks for a bit longer than it should. I think my ignition switch is going out with this issue. If I wiggle the key just right it seems to start right up. Any idea on either of these? Thanks for any help or information.

 

Welcome to the forum.

First, what year, engine and mileage is your Monte?

Second, my guess is it may be in need of basic maintenance. Plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter to name some common items (plugs are a big one to do around 100,000 miles).

 

It's an '01 SS 3.8 N/A. 85,500 miles. I think the plugs and wires were done at some point as it has aftermarket wires on it.

 

Welcome to the forum, happy to have you here.

The chugging could be anything really. Dirty MAF air, dirty injectors, air filter, dirty fuel filter, idle air control valve. If it is really becoming a problem and you can test and clean things yourself, great. If not try and ask family or friends for a friend they may have who is competent with diagnosing issues. Or last resort (1st with me) take it to a shop you or others trust and let them have a go at it, might be the quickest way. Good luck, hope it's nothing to major.

 

If the plugs were done, question is how many miles ago and what type of plugs. If they are Bosch plugs, toss them (they are junk in our cars). NGK and AC Delco are the best plugs.

That was one possible reason for the behavior. As Zippy said, there is a good list of possible options to the issue. A vacuum leak can be another issue. Are you throwing any check engine lights?

 

Does the gas pedal feel like it "sticks" until you press it once?

The blade on your TB could be caked with carbon and getting stuck when the car sits. Never a bad idea to pop off the TB and give it a good cleaning. Also not a bad idea to remove the sensors on the TB and give those a quick cleaning with the proper sprays.

 

Thank you everybody for the replies. Fortunately I can do the majority of any work on the car myself. The pedal isn't sticking so I don't think there is carbon build up on the TB. I did have a code pop up. It's an O2 sensor. It looks like a tune-up, and an O2 sensor replacement, are in my future for this weekend. Fortunately I can get all Delco parts at distributor cost! I'll report back after the work is done. Any other suggestions are very welcome. Thanks again for the replies!

 

Also check try hat your IAC (idle air control valve) isn't sticking!

 

I had a chugging at low RPM. It turned out that one of my plugs was set to 70 instead of 60. I got lucky with a simple fix.