L200 w/ 5-speed "flooding"

[Steph]

I know a fuel injected engine doesn't "flood", but the symptom is the
same.
First happened when SO nearly stalled while in stop'n go traffic up a
small incline on-ramp. The engine faltered and then lost all power.
It would idle but had no power and any noticeable increase in the
throttle (via the pedal or by hand under the hood) resulted in the engine
choking out and nearly stopping.

I had my SO pull to the side where we let the car sit for about 15
minutes. I then started it normally and it revved without issue. SO was
freaked out and so it went to Saturn Dealer -- where after a $119
diagnostic check it was determined nothing was wrong, but they did find a
vacuum hose that had come loose.

Fast forward three weeks.
SO is trying to pull out into traffic up a ramp.
Calls me on cell phone to say the engine is acting the same as before and
car is barely making it to the corner gas station.

This time I have a car only minutes away, so I drive over and immediately
start the engine and rev it normally. I also keep the parking brake on
and deliberately try to load up the engine. Keeps running fine.

I know SO is going to push for it to go back for another check; aside
from informing the person they just can't drive a manual transmision very
well (and then ducking) what options are there?

Any honest and reasonable thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

 

[pldardis]

I know a fuel injected engine doesn't "flood", but the symptom is the
same.
First happened when SO nearly stalled while in stop'n go traffic up a
small incline on-ramp. The engine faltered and then lost all power.
It would idle but had no power and any noticeable increase in the
throttle (via the pedal or by hand under the hood) resulted in the engine
choking out and nearly stopping.

I had my SO pull to the side where we let the car sit for about 15
minutes. I then started it normally and it revved without issue. SO was
freaked out and so it went to Saturn Dealer -- where after a $119
diagnostic check it was determined nothing was wrong, but they did find a
vacuum hose that had come loose.

Fast forward three weeks.
SO is trying to pull out into traffic up a ramp.
Calls me on cell phone to say the engine is acting the same as before and
car is barely making it to the corner gas station.

This time I have a car only minutes away, so I drive over and immediately
start the engine and rev it normally. I also keep the parking brake on
and deliberately try to load up the engine. Keeps running fine.

I know SO is going to push for it to go back for another check; aside
from informing the person they just can't drive a manual transmision very
well (and then ducking) what options are there?

Any honest and reasonable thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

I think I am having the same problem with my 2001 Saturn L100 (manual
5 speed with 2.2). It happens when I come up to a stop sign. Its
running fine when I pull up to the stop sign but when I try to take
off it losses all power and I end up limping through the intersection.
I shut the car off and then start it up and it runs fine again. It
happens on hot days. I've own the car for 4 years. It would usually
happen a couple times a summer except this last summer it probably has
happen about five or six times. I also notice my fan on the radiator
running really hard every times this has happened even though the temp
gauge is not running that hot. I don't want to bring it to a mechanic
because it doesn't happen that often and probably be a waste of money.
If anybody could give me an idea what's wrong I would appreciate it.

 

[Oppie]

I think I am having the same problem with my 2001 Saturn L100 (manual
5 speed with 2.2). It happens when I come up to a stop sign. Its
running fine when I pull up to the stop sign but when I try to take
off it losses all power and I end up limping through the intersection.
I shut the car off and then start it up and it runs fine again. It
happens on hot days. I've own the car for 4 years. It would usually
happen a couple times a summer except this last summer it probably has
happen about five or six times. I also notice my fan on the radiator
running really hard every times this has happened even though the temp
gauge is not running that hot. I don't want to bring it to a mechanic
because it doesn't happen that often and probably be a waste of money.
If anybody could give me an idea what's wrong I would appreciate it.

Get the codes read out... Will tell you much more than we can speculate.

My understanding is that the fans will run full on as a precaution if a limp
home mode is entered due to any fault.
* SO = Significant other???

 

[Michael Riegert]

Get the codes read out... Will tell you much more than we can speculate.

My understanding is that the fans will run full on as a precaution if a
limp home mode is entered due to any fault.
* SO = Significant other???

Does the Check Engine Light come on at all? If it did, have it checked at
the local parts store. Auto Zone will check it for free.

I have had very similar conditions on my Astro. The issue there was carbon
buildup breaking free and getting stuck in the Exhaust Gas Recirculation
(EGR) valve. This prevented it from closing which causes the engine to
choke at idle. I had to rev the engine and hold the brake with my left foot
to keep it from dieing at stop lights. Keep us posted.

Mike

 

[Oppie]

Does the Check Engine Light come on at all? If it did, have it checked at
the local parts store. Auto Zone will check it for free.

I have had very similar conditions on my Astro. The issue there was carbon
buildup breaking free and getting stuck in the Exhaust Gas Recirculation
(EGR) valve. This prevented it from closing which causes the engine to
choke at idle. I had to rev the engine and hold the brake with my left
foot
to keep it from dieing at stop lights. Keep us posted.

Mike

The EGR was one of the first items I checked when I had an intermittent
starting problem and stall at idle earlier this summer (2001 lw300). Pulled
the EGR valve and found it remarkably clean and passages all clear. This
with 105K miles on it. In my case, turned out to be an intermittent crank
angle sensor. Changed it and never had a problem since.
Dictionary police say that the word is 'dying' (not dieing which has a
different meaning - dictionary.com) <grin>
Oppie

 

[Michael Riegert]

The EGR was one of the first items I checked when I had an intermittent
starting problem and stall at idle earlier this summer (2001 lw300).
Pulled the EGR valve and found it remarkably clean and passages all clear.
This with 105K miles on it. In my case, turned out to be an intermittent
crank angle sensor. Changed it and never had a problem since.
Dictionary police say that the word is 'dying' (not dieing which has a
different meaning - dictionary.com) <grin>
Oppie

I guess I will use the phrase "in the process of becoming dead" from now on.
You just have to love the English language. I always think of dying as
something my parents would have done to their t-shirts. If they were
hippies.

Mike

 

[Oppie]

I guess I will use the phrase "in the process of becoming dead" from now
on.
You just have to love the English language. I always think of dying as
something my parents would have done to their t-shirts. If they were
hippies.

Mike

LOL! The English language can be a challenge.
Dieing is related to a cutting device.
Dying is to cease living and
Dyeing is to change the color (as in your parent's Tee-Shirts).
Don't take it too seriously, we all get the idea anyway.
Now that you got me in the mood, think I'll light some incense and tie-dye
some Tees (having come of age in the 60's).

-------------------------------
die /da?/ Pronunciation Key - Pronunciation[dahy] noun, plural dies for
1, 2, 4, dice for 3; verb, died, die·ing.
-noun 1.Machinery. a.any of various devices for cutting or forming material
in a press or a stamping or forging machine.
b.a hollow device of steel, often composed of several pieces to be fitted
into a stock, for cutting the threads of bolts or the like.
c.one of the separate pieces of such a device.
d.a steel block or plate with small conical holes through which wire,
plastic rods, etc., are drawn.

2.an engraved stamp for impressing a design upon some softer material, as in
coining money.
3.sing. of dice.
4.Architecture. dado (def. 1).
-verb (used with object) 5.to impress, shape, or cut with a die.
-Idiom 6.the die is cast, the irrevocable decision has been made; fate has
taken charge: The die is cast-I can't turn back.




[Origin: 1300-50; ME de (in early modern E taking the vowel of the pl. form
dice) < OF de(i), presumbly < L datum given (neut. ptp. of dare to give),
perh. in the deriv. sense "put, placed," hence "played, cast"]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

-------------------------------
die /da?/ [dahy]
-verb (used without object), died, dy·ing. 1.to cease to live; undergo the
complete and permanent cessation of all vital functions; become dead.
2.(of something inanimate) to cease to exist: The laughter died on his lips.
3.to lose force, strength, or active qualities: Superstitions die slowly.
4.to cease to function; stop: The motor died.
5.to be no longer subject; become indifferent: to die to worldly matters.
6.to pass gradually; fade or subside gradually (usually fol. by away, out,
or down): The storm slowly died down.
7.Theology. to lose spiritual life.
8.to faint or languish.
9.to suffer as if fatally: I'm dying of boredom!
10.to pine with desire, love, longing, etc.: I'm dying to see my home again.
11.to desire or want keenly or greatly: I'm dying for a cup of coffee.
-Verb phrases 12.die away, (of a sound) to become weaker or fainter and then
cease: The hoofbeats gradually died away.
13.die down, to become calm or quiet; subside.
14.die off, to die one after another until the number is greatly reduced:
Her friends are dying off.
15.die out, a.to cease to exist; become extinct: Both lines of the family
died out before the turn of the century.
b.to die away; fade; subside: The roar of the engines died out as the rocket
vanished into the clouds.

-Idioms 16.die hard, a.to die only after a bitter struggle.
b.to give way or surrender slowly or with difficulty: Childhood beliefs die
hard.

17.die standing up, Theater. (of a performance) to be received with silence
rather than applause.
18.never say die, never give up hope; never abandon one's efforts.
19.to die for, stunning; remarkable: That dress is to die for.




[Origin: 1150-1200; ME dien, deien < ON deyja. Cf. dead, death]


-Synonyms 1. expire, depart. Die, pass away (pass on), perish mean to
relinquish life. To die is to become dead from any cause and in any
circumstances. It is the simplest, plainest, and most direct word for this
idea, and is used figuratively of anything that has once displayed activity:
An echo, flame, storm, rumor dies. Pass away (or pass on) is a commonly used
euphemism implying a con-tinuation of life after death: Grandfather passed
away (passed on). Perish, a more literary term, implies death under harsh
circumstances such as hunger, cold, neglect, etc.; figuratively, perish
connotes utter extinction: Hardship caused many pioneers to perish. Ancient
Egyptian civilization has perished.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006

----------------------------
dye /da?/[dahy] noun, verb, dyed, dye·ing.
-noun 1.a coloring material or matter.
2.a liquid containing coloring matter, for imparting a particular hue to
cloth, paper, etc.
3.color or hue, esp. as produced by dyeing.
-verb (used with object) 4.to color or stain; treat with a dye; color
(cloth, hair, etc.) with a substance containing coloring matter: to dye a
dress green.
5.to impart (color) by means of a dye: The coloring matter dyed green.
-verb (used without object) 6.to impart color, as a dye: This brand dyes
well.
7.to become colored or absorb color when treated with a dye: This cloth dyes
easily.
-Idiom 8.of the deepest or blackest dye, of the most extreme or the worst
sort: a prevaricator of the blackest dye.




[Origin: bef. 1000; ME dien, OE déagian, deriv. of déag a dye]

-Related forms
dy·a·ble, dye·a·ble, adjective
dyer, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

 

[Steph]

Get the codes read out... Will tell you much more than we can
speculate.

My understanding is that the fans will run full on as a precaution if
a limp home mode is entered due to any fault.
* SO = Significant other???

Wow, this was so old and suddenly a thread.
Yes, SO = Significant Other.

I had it read for codes at the dealer, maxmimum of 2 restarts between the
occurrance and being scanned. No codes (applicable). There was a code of
driving with e-brake on <g>.

Is the Lw200 with manual the same engine?
Curious, but did you have any trouble with the clutch assembly?
We fought with Saturn for almost 2 years to have the internal slave
cyclinder replaced. When warm the pedal would not disengage the clutch.
Very weird and the service advisors kept swearing it was a pure
mechanical link.

Anyway, no recurrances of the "flooding" lately. <knock on wood>