Yup, the first step would be a set of Iridium plugs, and as Don said...trust the factory gaps.

 

Yes, that is correct. I didn't think that a different plug would make my engine run like crap. And stupid me just went out and bought new coil thinking that was bad. But I didn't pay to much because I got one from rockauto

 

OK, on my way to buy new plugs

 

File it under "live and learn 2007", we've all done something similar.

Once you change the plugs, get the code cleared and keep us posted as to how it's running.

P.S. Let it cool down good and long, changing plugs in a warm aluminium cylinder head is courting disaster.

 

I noticed recently, when I was replacing my replacement plugs on the Advance website it has a warning "do not gap, they are pre gapped" That's evidently why they now have plastic protectors. I had even made a special trip to get a new gap tool for the last set of plugs, because I am an old coot that swears you should never trust anything that comes in a box.

And, BTW my MPG improved from 30 to 32. I thought nothing was wrong as long as I was getting 30MPG.

It cost me $1 for the gap tool and $28 to throw away brand new plugs! Priceless. The lesson is: do not touch the electrode end of the spark plugs with anything smaller than the sun.

 

No truer words have ever been spoken Don, but it's hard to break old habits.

 

And that was my next question. Thanks for the warning. I'm old school. I've only worked on cars pre-dating 1990. With these new aluminum blocks/heads, I'm learning as I go.

But with anything old, I can handle. Currently have a 1970 Camaro, and simple compared to todays cars.

 

2007 - tip for you re coils - if something like that happens again, rather than replace the suspected part right away, swap it to a different cylinder to see if the problem moves with the coil or stays. It just helps pinpoint the source of the problem.

 

2007 sorry that you had to learn this the hard way. But thank you for making this thread. I am probably going to be changing my plugs in the next few weeks since I will be having the air box off to change the filter. Now I learned what plugs to get for sure.

Thinking back to my Ion's 2.2l I now want to see if I cheaped out on it's plugs or what not. It is not as finiky as these 2.2l's but you never know. I will have to check what the factory ones were for that year l61 motor.

 

Unfortunately I'm not a technician and cannot diagnose this issue. I would like to get you into a dealership to have this diagnosed. First I want to check your vehicle identification number and make sure that there are no open recalls or TSB on your vehicle.

Thank you,

Jessica L.
Chevrolet Customer Care