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2002 Oldsmobile Alero GL1 4dr Sedan

2002 Oldsmobile Alero
Trim Info:
Front Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sedan, Compact
24 mpg city / 32 mpg hwy
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February 4, 2013, 11:36 am

Leslie S
 

Question: is it the fuel filter or something else

When I start my car it sounds and feels fine. As soon as I put it in reverse to.back up the motor runs very rough. In drive it does the  same thing and is slow to accelerate and feels almpst like its misfiring. It gets better after I go a few miles and it warms up unless I have to stop at a red light. It Idles rough and will drop really low and then go back up. Sometimes if IM stopped I can smell almost a sulfer smell and sometimes it smells more like a gasoline smell. I've been told fuel filter, catalytic converter, and plugs and plug wires... Help!


February 10, 2013, 10:46 am

Ron W
Expert Mechanic

The sulfur and gas smells indicate a rich condition and an overheating cat (caused by the rich condition). You need to see why it is running rich before you go much further.

For all hard starting or engine performance issues, you should always start with the basics. Make sure the tune up items are done and check the charging and starting systems. The engine must have the basics done in order for it to be able to run correctly. Many things can cause this type of problem, and the simplest sometimes get overlooked.


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