eliascrystal1
Malibu Jerking Acceleration Loss
Summary of the thread
A 2014 Chevrolet Malibu diesel was experiencing violent jerking upon acceleration, loss of power, rough idling, stalling, and a bad exhaust odor, with the check engine light on. The suspected cause was a defective intake manifold, potentially scorched and leaking, leading to incorrect manifold pressure readings due to a vacuum leak. The suggested solutions included checking manifold pressure sensor readings and inspecting for vacuum leaks, possibly using a smoke test. Ultimately, a mechanic confirmed the intake manifold issue, and after repair, the vehicle's performance improved, resolving the symptoms.
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4 comment(s)
eliascrystal1 (community.author)
You suggested checking the manifold pressure sensor readings. What constitutes 'all over the place'? What range of values should I be looking for normally versus when the issue happens? With the hoses, is a visual inspection enough, or would a smoke test be better?
mats_moeller19
Alright, "all over the place" means the sensor readings are jumping around like a kangaroo on a trampoline when the engine is idling or under load. Normal values depend on your engine's specs, which I don't know. But big fluctuations are a red flag. A visual check of the hoses is a good start, but cracks can be sneaky. A smoke test is the gold standard for finding vacuum leaks. With all those symptoms, a trip to a trusted mechanic is in order. They'll have the tools to pinpoint the problem. Could be the manifold, could be something else related to the intake. Better safe than sorry!
eliascrystal1 (community.author)
Your insights proved invaluable! I took my Malibu to a local mechanic. After diagnostics, the intake manifold was the problem. Scorching had compromised it, causing a vacuum leak. The repair cost 1180€, but the engine now purrs, and the check engine light is off. Thank you again!
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CHEVROLET
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MALIBU
mats_moeller19
Whoa, sounds like your Malibu is throwing a tantrum! Jerking, check engine light, rough idle, and a funky smell? That's a party of problems! Leaking intake manifold, huh? Makes sense with those symptoms. Have you checked the manifold pressure sensor readings? Are they all over the place? A bad vacuum leak will definitely mess with engine performance. Did you check for obvious stuff like loose hoses or cracked connections around the manifold?