I have a 2001 Chevy malibu with a 3.1L V6 engine, auto transmission. My problem is loss of power on and off idle, surging, especially on acceleration. I have check the fuel pressure which is ok 50-59 PSI. Check for a plugged converter which also is ok. Only .5 back pressure at idle and 2.3 at 2000 RPM. Did a complete tune-up including fuel filter, wires, plugs, PCV and change one coil pack for cylinder no.# 1 & 4. Had my freind hook up a GM's Tech 2 scanner with no results. Checked the MAF and Map sensor and EGR.

I bought the car for my daugther a few weeks ago found it had a problem and was able to get a good deal on the car. Being a chevy dealer mechanic for 15 years, I figured I'd have no problem fixing it. But I haven't wrench regulary since I became a shop supervisor for the last 15 years. This problem is driving me crazy. My daughter really needs a car for college and I would appreciate anyone out there that can help me with this problem.

Update from Jun 8, 2010: I had the exact problem you are experiencing. I changed the plugs, wires, module. Had the transmission check out by a trans shop. ok. I finally figured it out. I had a plugged converter. It affected the miss fires and EGR operations. Runs great now. You need to perform a back pressure check. If it reads more than 2 PSI at 2000 rpm it is plugged. Normal reading should be below 1.5 psi. At idle it should read close to 0 psi

Car started this problem of not picking up speed under a load and idles fine. When it started, the check engine light came on & it was a misfire on multiple cyl and an egr clog. I did a tune up added seafoam to the gas, removed egr ports, installed a new egr valve and reset light. I drove one day and it seemed fine. Then it did it again and the light came on. Now it says the egr sensor is bad. I believe the sensor was on the new egr. I checked the fuel pressure around 50 psi and removed vacuum. The regulator pressure went to 60psi. I also have a probe to check injectors and they checked fine...so give me some clues what to check next.

My 2001 Chevy Malibu is having problems accelerating. It will run alright but loses acceleration power on hills. If you try to accelerate too fast the RPM reading will go to three and the car will not accelerate at all. I took it to a mechanic and was told that the spark plugs, plug wires, ignition coil and ignition module were bad. I was also told that the EGR valve may be bad but it could be showing up because of the other problems. I replaced all but the EGR valve but there was no difference in how the car was running. I replaced the EGR valve and took it to be checked again (for free from Advanced this time) and now it says EGR air flow. I don't know if this is the real problem anymore, seeing as that nothing else I've fixed has worked. Anyone with something similar or a suggestion?

One month after my warranty expired, I was driving down a major interstate highway, and all of a sudden my car started to decelerate. I pressed the gas, and it STILL decelerated. I pulled over, stopped the car, and turned if off. When I tried to turn it back on it wouldn't start. After about 20 min, it started again. When I took it to the dealer the next morning I was told that my fuel pump had failed. My car was 3 yrs old at the time and had 15,000 miles on it. The story was that an old lady had leased it and returned it, and it was certified, so I took their word for it, but I'm skeptical now.