'07 4-cyl "Chugging" When Stopping

[amykmi]

This is my first post ... hope it's in the right place!

I've had my '07 4-cylinder automatic since the end of November. I'm getting a little concerned because it occasionally "chugs" as I come to a stop at lights. I can't describe it other than to say it feels like it's about to stall (RPMs drop or something), but then it doesn't. I can only relate it to when I used to have a Mustang that *would* stall when braking, so I had to keep one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake at all times to keep the RPMs up. It's that same "oh crap, it's gonna die" sensation. :no:

It definitely doesn't happen all the time, and my husband hasn't noticed it yet ... Any ideas?

Also ... just today, our rear-seat cupholder decided it's stuck and won't work anymore. Other than that, I'm thrilled with my baby (my 3rd Saturn).

[mellissam]

This is my first post ... hope it's in the right place!

I've had my '07 4-cylinder automatic since the end of November. I'm getting a little concerned because it occasionally "chugs" as I come to a stop at lights. I can't describe it other than to say it feels like it's about to stall (RPMs drop or something), but then it doesn't. .......

Bad gas? As it is probably still under warranty (I don't suppose you've racked up 60k? since November), I'd get a Saturn tech to look at it, should it keep doing it, after you fill the tank with good gas....
When you say it chugs...do you mean you take your foot off the gas, and when gliding to a stop it starts doing it (chugging)? If it isn't the gas, I'd venture a guess at an intake air leak (all clamps tight from air box to intake). The flipside, it might be a dirty air filter...easy to check. Do you live in a dusty area?
BTW - welcome to the Saturn cult...er family...:)

[Tom92SCm]

BTW - welcome to the Saturn cult...er family...:)

No, you had it right the first time.

Don't forget to try the delicious Kool-Aide!

[amykmi]

Bad gas? As it is probably still under warranty (I don't suppose you've racked up 60k? since November), I'd get a Saturn tech to look at it, should it keep doing it, after you fill the tank with good gas....
When you say it chugs...do you mean you take your foot off the gas, and when gliding to a stop it starts doing it (chugging)? If it isn't the gas, I'd venture a guess at an intake air leak (all clamps tight from air box to intake). The flipside, it might be a dirty air filter...easy to check. Do you live in a dusty area?
BTW - welcome to the Saturn cult...er family...:)

Thanks for your suggestions! I'm going to call today on the stupid cupholder thing and I'll have them run a diagnostic when I bring it in. It's definitely still under warranty ... I don't even have 7K miles on it yet.

When it chugs, it's doing it as I'm braking. I didn't even think about the air filter, but that could definitely be it! We live on a horrible dusty dirt road, and while we've had the oil changed, we haven't done anything with the air filter yet. My teenager has decided that I need a "performance" air filter ... he just wants to make sure I can still drive him everywhere without interruption, LOL!

And it *is* like a cult, isn't it, LOL? My brother-in-law is one of Spring Hill's original crew, so there are lots of happy Saturn owners in our extended family. :D

Thanks again for the ideas of things to check!

[mellissam]

....... My teenager has decided that I need a "performance" air filter ... he just wants to make sure I can still drive him everywhere without interruption, LOL!....

You have the same vehicle as I, except your a year newer (not much change between 06/07 I4 autos). Anyway, I would strongly suggest you not get a 'high performance' air filter (like K&N), unless your ok with worse gas mileage....plus, the K&N filter has oil impregnated into the media, which over time can coat the internals of the intake pathways, which 'could' cause problems. I tried it, and although I felt a better throttle response at higher rpms and my butt dyno felt like I got a few extra horses, the mpgs suffered by about 5mpg.
If you take it in to get checked, and they say you need a new air filter, ask to see the old one, and have them point out why it needs changing....next time you can easily pop out the air filter and have a look for yourself (two clips and a hose clamp). You could change it out yourself. :)

[Gerry Proctor]

It may be "normal" depending on the particulars of exactly when it occurs. It's not really normal, but that it occurs isn't completely unexpected. If this is one of those things that happens only when the A/C is on, then it's the computer trying to control the idle speed in transition and under a load from the A/C compressor while trying to adjust for decelleration. There may be a new flash they can download for the computer to address this, but don't be surprised if there isn't one. It won't (or shouldn't) stall, but will come pretty damn close.

[amykmi]

Anyway, I would strongly suggest you not get a 'high performance' air filter (like K&N), unless your ok with worse gas mileage....plus, the K&N filter has oil impregnated into the media, which over time can coat the internals of the intake pathways, which 'could' cause problems. I tried it, and although I felt a better throttle response at higher rpms and my butt dyno felt like I got a few extra horses, the mpgs suffered by about 5mpg.
If you take it in to get checked, and they say you need a new air filter, ask to see the old one, and have them point out why it needs changing....next time you can easily pop out the air filter and have a look for yourself (two clips and a hose clamp). You could change it out yourself. :)

Thanks for the info -- that's exactly the filter husband & son were thinking of getting! We'll check out the current air filter ourselves and see if it needs changing.

Heck, I fixed the cupholder thing myself (service tech told me to go ahead and jimmy it with a screwdriver; that's all they'd do anyway) -- why not the air filter? ;)

[amykmi]

It may be "normal" depending on the particulars of exactly when it occurs. It's not really normal, but that it occurs isn't completely unexpected. If this is one of those things that happens only when the A/C is on, then it's the computer trying to control the idle speed in transition and under a load from the A/C compressor while trying to adjust for decelleration. There may be a new flash they can download for the computer to address this, but don't be surprised if there isn't one. It won't (or shouldn't) stall, but will come pretty damn close.

Okay, that sounds logical. I'm trying to remember if I was running the air yesterday when it happened ... I don't think I was, but can't be 100% sure. I'm going to have to pay closer attention once I check out the air filter situation. If it keeps happening, a diagnostic will be my next move, I guess.

Thanks for the insight! :)

[Wayne12345]

I have an `04 6 cylinder (Honda engine) and I`ve had that happen several times. I put in a good well recognized fuel injector cleaner and then a new full tank of Sunoco 94 and that seemed to help.

I`ve got 83000 Kilometers on mine and plan on getting the injectors blown and even though they say the plugs are good to 160,000 Kilometers I plan on having them changed.

[1saxman]

Maybe the auto trans is not 'releasing' or downshifting properly as the vehicle slows. Also, just a wild shot here, are you sure it's not brake 'chatter' from bad rotors?

[bue05]

Amykmi- I believe you and i have the same exact problem... Although, i have a 2006 Saturn Ion-2 with the 2.2Liter 4cyl ecotec same as your vue. I have had the pcm/ecm etc flashed, reset, etc.. not sure of all that nonsense, plus they cleaned throttle body, and checked all the connections, hoses, clamps, air filter, etc.. still does it. When slowing down, sitting at a stop light, not only do i often get the oh its going to die affect, but then it recovers just before i think it will die, it flutters or chuggs a bit at the stop light and or while slowing down. This is no matter a/c, hot, cold, radio on off.. If the a/c is on it can often times get really eratic with rpms moving around from down past the five mark up to 1200 to 1500. Its been very speratic lately.... i also have this slight hesitation on first take off after starting vehicle, then get the surge, supposedly my VIN# doesn't fall under the tsb for that? I have come to live with it as part of the normality or function of the beast. However until you pay attention to how the car is running, you may not notice it at first. P.S.S. on a side note....every since i had a bad generator/alt.. replaced it seems to have become more problamatic. Once again this is an ion vs the vue system.. However i had no clue it was the alt/generator untill finally the lights starting to dim and the battery light came on the dash with the dinging. It would only act like it was going to die when slowing on a stop. Go out at night for awhile with a/c on, headlamps, stereo, etc. take a few stops, watch for dash lights, headlights to dim abnormally.. if so maybe something with the charging system or batter. sorry for the long message, it just sounded so close to home. THe only complaint i have really about the ion. otherwise i do love my ride. we have a vue as well but it has a 6cyl and as far as the K&N filter goes, im sorry i can not endorse that product. After using it in our 2005 3.5 l v6 vue for a short period of time it did exactly what melissam-sp said it does. Our 05 vue has not sounded or worked as good sense, of course i really cant do anything about it warranty wise cause i put a filter in that was not part of the normal replacement.... It caused the vue to um... be noisy, breath differently/shift points odd, growls and moans.all after taking out the k&n and putting oem back in.. the entire air tube and etc is all greasy like and dirty......:( :( I know because i have been in several 05/06/07 vues with v6 used and new since the purchase of the 05 none do as my vue. the k&N did something..sorry to the k&n supporters but it didn't work... higher octane has not changed anything nor did switching gas stations. hoping 08 astra will rock my world thanks bue05