Sputtering and Stuttering at Idle

[oomonte]

I have the tune with a regular regal turbo....doesn't do it as much with the tune. the tune eliminates most of it but once in awhile there is a minor stumble sitting at a light.

 

[Stingray]

Mostly stock except for the tune. Does seem a bit worse with tune off. Few times I thought for sure it was going to stall, but she always recovers.

Seems like a common issue, how is Buick not aware of this?

 

[MikeC725]

Mine did it to me this morning. It was 18*F out, engine at full operating temp and running 89 octane almost empty. I filled up this morning (16.3 gallons) of 93. I've got the car this week, I'll see if it does it again. My wife and I switch cars every week, as I drive 30 miles one way to work, to far to drive the F150 every day....

 

[r0under1982]

I have the opposite, with tune on it does it and actually stalled once, with tune off it seems to be ok. little erratic at idle. but very very little. I have a 12 GS

 

[Macvangelist]

Ditto what he said. I've had it happen, too. All stock around 17k miles.

Add me to the list...all stock (though tinted widows). 17K miles and has happened several times when stopped at a light and recovered on its own. Dealer serviced since new.

 

[MikeC725]

Mine did it again this morning. It was about 24* out. I did notice that when it started bucking, I looked at the tach, steady 900rpm. I would have thought the tach would have jumped a little. Also, sitting between 3/4 & 1/2 tank of gas. After traveling about 15 miles on the freeway.

 

[CavalierSSR]

Mine did this today. I'll keep monitoring this and see if it happens again tomorrow. Only had the Regal for 3 weeks, (stock) no tune. I've been distracted with the stereo blasting to notice it until I was on a hands free call today, at a traffic light. I was using my torque app and my AFR went rich when it happened, lasted a few seconds then went back to normal.

This also happened everyday on my Cobalt SS (Trifecta tuned) which has the same turbo and similar engine. Vince told me back then that it could be an evap purge event and it's normal. Happens in a 15 - 20 minute highway ride then the first traffic light, bam rich spike rough idle. Never had it stall though.

 

[chadder]

Mine did this today. I'll keep monitoring this and see if it happens again tomorrow. Only had the Regal for 3 weeks, (stock) no tune. I've been distracted with the stereo blasting to notice it until I was on a hands free call today, at a traffic light. I was using my torque app and my AFR went rich when it happened, lasted a few seconds then went back to normal.

This also happened everyday on my Cobalt SS (Trifecta tuned) which has the same turbo and similar engine. Vince told me back then that it could be an evap purge event and it's normal. Happens in a 15 - 20 minute highway ride then the first traffic light, bam rich spike rough idle. Never had it stall though.

I notice mine most at the first traffic light as well. The first light I come to in the morning drive to work is about 5 minutes. After that light, I don't have any problems. Never has it stalled and never does the tach move.

 

[jeffcam1211]

Mine does it also. Usually cold, a min or two after starting. I've chalked it up to high quality GM Engineering.

 

[IndyGS]

I'm not sure if this is the same issue, but it sounds similar. I have a 2013 GS with no tune and no aftermarket filters or modifications. No check engine light. Sitting at a stop light, I feel something similar to a "miss" in the idle. It happens randomly and does not seem to be affected by whether the vehicle is cold or at operating temp. I feel the "miss" happen repeatedly for a random amount of time, and other times it will idle smooth.

I've also noticed my exhaust smells exactly like mothballs, particularly when I first get out to my car in the morning (after the 2nd round of remote start to get it nice and toasty). I can smell it outside but not inside the cabin. When I do a search for "exhaust smells like mothballs" I find (as generic suggestions, not specifically for Regals and Regal GS's) suggestions to check the O2 sensor, catalytic converter, and PCV valve. I'm no mechanic, but could the rough idle and odd exhaust smell be related?

 

[r0under1982]

I was talking to one of my techs today. If it is in fact a mechanical issue its either a camshaft actuator solenoid, or the actuator itself. However there are reports that the gas quality is terrible (high alcohol content and water in the gas). Especially exxon and bp. Sunoco has been reported to be the best. I am going to the parts store tomorrow to get some dri-gas and see if it makes a difference. Other wise i will blame it on the actuator or actuator solenoid and have a new one put it. Only reason i have not had a new one installed is because they have to reprogram the ecm and i dont feel like going back through the tune process. Again mine is worse with tune on. Granted i have datalogged once and have not done a second one. It has either rained, snowed, or melted snow the last 2 weeks so no dry roads to really data log.

 

[r0under1982]

UPDATE, last night i bought some fuel stabilizer/ethanol treatment additive and filled up. When i jumped in the car today (cold start) it was about 35 degrees. I had no problem with idle with tune on or off. I would like to see how it is when its sub 30's out.

 

[Ct'sBuickGuy]

I use only top tier gas (Shell and Mobile) 93 since day one and my car does this once every morning when it is cold. We should not have to be paying for 93 plus adding in dry gas for this not to happen. Once we got dug out at my dealership I will have an RO opened and see what I can find out.

 

[jeffcam1211]

Mine was doing it again today.

 

[stevie123]

This is not a new problem. This is the same problem reported 1 year ago:

http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24379

My 2012 Turbo (auto) does this since day 1. cold or warm, cold-start or after hours of driving. It appears to occur at stoplights, about 2-5 seconds after full stop. At worst, the car actually bucks. Of course, the dealer can't reproduce this. I found no difference in the frequency of occurrence based on weather or brand of gas I use..(always use premium 91 or 93 octane) I am in SE Michigan.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

This is not a new problem. This is the same problem reported 1 year ago:

http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24379

My 2012 Turbo (auto) does this since day 1. cold or warm, cold-start or after hours of driving. It appears to occur at stoplights, about 2-5 seconds after full stop. At worst, the car actually bucks. Of course, the dealer can't reproduce this. I found no difference in the frequency of occurrence based on weather or brand of gas I use..(always use premium 91 or 93 octane) I am in SE Michigan.

Feel free to contact me as well if you need additional assistance. I would be happy to look into this for you.

Tricia, Buick Customer Service.

 

[CanAmChris]

Attn: Buick Customer Service (Tricia)

This is a 4 page long thread and growing, this is a real problem. So YES please look into this for all GS owners, not just 1 or 2 of us with a VIN#. It would be nice to pass this along to GM and have this investigated and then fixed while our cars are still under warranty.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Attn: Buick Customer Service (Tricia)

This is a 4 page long thread and growing, this is a real problem. So YES please look into this for all GS owners, not just 1 or 2 of us with a VIN#. It would be nice to pass this along to GM and have this investigated and then fixed while our cars are still under warranty.

I have gone ahead and passed this along for you. I will let you know if I find more information. Feel free to contact me in the meantime on an individual basis as well.

Tricia, Buick Customer Service.

 

[ericptek]

Mine does it and I thought it was just a bad spot in the tune since mine is tuned.

I run only high quality 93 but it is a winter only thing. Never had it happen over 40 degrees.

Mine is a manual so its not as bad. Come to a stop, burbles a bit and then its fine.

Not a big enough deal for me to put the tune back to stock, deal with the dealer, etc...so long as it doesn't die Im good 🙂

 

[jeffcam1211]

In addition to the sputtering, while I sat stopped in the vehicle with the motor running for approx 5 mins the back end of the vehicle would begin to bounce up and down as if someone were jumping on the bumper.

I hadn't noticed this before, has anyone else experienced this?