I was hoping somebody might be able to help me. I have a 2010 with the 2.2L. No check engine light. Car runs good, but occasionally at a red light or in a drive thru the engine will kind of chug, or kinda cut out. I can turn the air off and put it in neutral and it doesn't change at all. Running down the highway it always runs great and never cuts out. The car has 86,500 miles. Does anybody know offhand what might cause this with no check engine light? And it only happens every once in a while. Thank you for any input or advice!

 

At your mileage, clean the throttle body and the MAF, change the spark plugs , AC Delco 41-103 iridium plugs
how old is the battery?
how old is the coolant?
how old is the air filter?
while your at it check the oil level.

 

If you could make a recording and post it, might help us understand what is going on.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! The coolant is brand new(just changed the o-rings on the crossover water pipe), battery is a year old, i changed the air filter 2 weeks ago. Oil was changed a week and a half ago and still showing full. I will definitely changes the plugs this weekend and clean the throttle body. What do I use to clean the MAF? And I will try to get a recording of what it's doing.

 

Cleaning the TB is my vote. Use "MAF sensor cleaner", oddly enough there is a product for the exact purpose. Some TB cleaner is also OK read labels.

 

CRC has this handy kit

Do not move the throttle plate manually, the plastic gears strip very easily

 

If you missed it in Oldblues post above, here it is again :
"Do not move the throttle plate manually, the plastic gears strip very easily"

 

Thanks for the help guys. I just noticed that about not moving the throttle plate manually. Glad you told me that. What should I do to open it, grab the linkage or have somebody step on the gas pedal?

 

I just used a short stick between the seat and pedal.to hold the gas pedal down with ignition on while I cleaned the TB. worked for me.
Hope this helps.

 

There is no linkage, it is electronic. I had no problem moving it around on a 2008 and a 2011; seems to be an old dried up grease thing or a fighting electric motor thing. I say be gentle and disconnect the wires before working on it. Easiest way is to pull the TB, just 4 nuts no magic.