2018 Camaro Sputtering During Idle. Possible Bad Fuel? Or Something Else?

hotrod803 · 12-01-2019, 05:31 PM

So I purchased a 2018 Camaro 2 SS in June of this year brand new with 300 miles on it. Since then I have noticed at idle it sputs after a cold start and continues but decreases the sputtering at idle as you drive it. But still sputs lightly on idle as you drive. I am thinking it is gas since I have not let the gas run all the way down to empty since I purchased. Possible moisture? The car is new but technically 2 years old if the dealer got it on the lot in 2017. I have gased up a few times since June (not a daily driver) at Shell and Citgo using top tier fuel. The car now has around 1600 miles.

I took it to the dealer and they checked the plugs and said they were clean but its like they try not to find anything sometimes. I put a Chevron Techtron fuel system cleaner in it and will let this gas run all the way down. Could it be bad gas, fuel injector, Any thoughts?

caSStro18 · 12-01-2019, 05:41 PM

Take it to a different dealer if possible. If they are able to replicate the problem they should have answers. It’s under warranty so if there’s a problem they should fix it. There are many factors that could be causing this problem. These cars are known to idle rough at cold start up and can even feel like misfires. But the problem you are describing sounds different. Hopefully someone here has some ideas. Simple things you can take care of without the dealer involvement.

hotrod803 · 12-01-2019, 06:29 PM

Yes I am hoping someone has maybe had similar issues and could offer a solution. I was not aware of the rough idles at start up until after I purchased it. Didn't do a whole lot of homework on known issues just wanted a 6th gen and went and got it. Thank you for your response.

caSStro18 · 12-01-2019, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod803

Yes I am hoping someone has maybe had similar issues and could offer a solution. I was not aware of the rough idles at start up until after I purchased it. Didn't do a whole lot of homework on known issues just wanted a 6th gen and went and got it. Thank you for your response.

The other issue you should be aware of is the A8 transmission shudder. Of course this only applies to your car if it has the automatic transmission. Look it up and become familiar with the symptoms of this issue.

hotrod803 · 12-01-2019, 06:47 PM

Already had that taken care of when I was at the dealer. They did a fluid replacement and told me to drive it about 200 miles. So far I have not have any more shudder issues since they did the fluid swap.

dpevans · 12-01-2019, 07:09 PM

Seems to me if it was noticeable to you it might have stored codes and you could take it to a mechanic that's good with diagnostics and he could check fuel trims, O2 levels and the such.

pabex · 12-01-2019, 07:11 PM

this is about to be a dumb question, but for a noob, could someone in simple terms describe what sputtering really is ?

hotrod803 · 12-01-2019, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabex

this is about to be a dumb question, but for a noob, could someone in simple terms describe what sputtering really is ?

@Pabex. Sputtering may have not been the best term to describe what is happening. But the car short of intermittently shakes a little like it is not getting enough gas or how a car does when it is cold until it warms up. It does not do it constantly on idle but does it consistently during idle. Even after it is warm, it does it but not as noticeable. That's why I am thinking it is fuel related but it is a little annoying for a brand new car. I have cars that are 15 years old and they run smoother on idle.

hotrod803 · 12-01-2019, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpevans

Seems to me if it was noticeable to you it might have stored codes and you could take it to a mechanic that's good with diagnostics and he could check fuel trims, O2 levels and the such.

No check engine light. All of the car systems checks and Onstar diagnostics read normal.

pabex · 12-01-2019, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod803

@Pabex. Sputtering may have not been the best term to describe what is happening. But the car short of intermittently shakes a little like it is not getting enough gas or how a car does when it is cold until it warms up. It does not do it constantly on idle but does it consistently during idle. Even after it is warm, it does it but not as noticeable. That's why I am thinking it is fuel related but it is a little annoying for a brand new car. I have cars that are 15 years old and they run smoother on idle.

By idle, do you mean in park or idle in drive? Because I do also get a little bit of jiggling from the motor when I am in drive and stopped at the light or something(As in like there is normal engine feeling and there is that little extra kick or jiggle or whatever you would call it sometimes. not always though. Mostly happens when I stop at lights, but not always consistent. Tbh not sure if we are experiencing the same feeling but could be it.

wwiiavfan · 12-01-2019, 09:32 PM

I think they all do it to some extent. You have an 11.5:1 compression motor with a somewhat hot cam, so a little bit of that should be expected in my opinion.

hotrod803 · 12-01-2019, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabex

By idle, do you mean in park or idle in drive? Because I do also get a little bit of jiggling from the motor when I am in drive and stopped at the light or something(As in like there is normal engine feeling and there is that little extra kick or jiggle or whatever you would call it sometimes. not always though. Mostly happens when I stop at lights, but not always consistent. Tbh not sure if we are experiencing the same feeling but could be it.

Both in park and in drive. Seems like it should be a little smoother. Maybe I am not used to it. There is also a little lope sound from the exhaust every now an then as it runs also which makes me think it isn't normal. Does yours do that as well?

pabex · 12-01-2019, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod803

Both in park and in drive. Seems like it should be a little smoother. Maybe I am not used to it. There is also a little lope sound from the exhaust every now an then as it runs also which makes me think it isn't normal. Does yours do that as well?

Uhh tbh, I dont know what you mean by lope sound. But as far as that jiggling goes people told me its normal so I just start to ignore it lol

hotrod803 · 12-01-2019, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwiiavfan

I think they all do it to some extent. You have an 11.5:1 compression motor with a somewhat hot cam, so a little bit of that should be expected in my opinion.

I would have thought the idle would be a lot smoother. As I stated in my original post I do not drive it every day but that still shouldn't be a factor. It's not like I have parked it for a year...

12-01-2019, 05:31 PM	#1
hotrod803 Drives: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: United States Posts: 14	2018 Camaro Sputtering During Idle. Possible Bad Fuel? Or Something Else? So I purchased a 2018 Camaro 2 SS in June of this year brand new with 300 miles on it. Since then I have noticed at idle it sputs after a cold start and continues but decreases the sputtering at idle as you drive it. But still sputs lightly on idle as you drive. I am thinking it is gas since I have not let the gas run all the way down to empty since I purchased. Possible moisture? The car is new but technically 2 years old if the dealer got it on the lot in 2017. I have gased up a few times since June (not a daily driver) at Shell and Citgo using top tier fuel. The car now has around 1600 miles. I took it to the dealer and they checked the plugs and said they were clean but its like they try not to find anything sometimes. I put a Chevron Techtron fuel system cleaner in it and will let this gas run all the way down. Could it be bad gas, fuel injector, Any thoughts?

12-01-2019, 05:41 PM	#2
caSStro18 Drives: 2018 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: California Posts: 564 View My Garage	Take it to a different dealer if possible. If they are able to replicate the problem they should have answers. It’s under warranty so if there’s a problem they should fix it. There are many factors that could be causing this problem. These cars are known to idle rough at cold start up and can even feel like misfires. But the problem you are describing sounds different. Hopefully someone here has some ideas. Simple things you can take care of without the dealer involvement.

12-01-2019, 06:29 PM	#3
hotrod803 Drives: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: United States Posts: 14	Yes I am hoping someone has maybe had similar issues and could offer a solution. I was not aware of the rough idles at start up until after I purchased it. Didn't do a whole lot of homework on known issues just wanted a 6th gen and went and got it. Thank you for your response.

12-01-2019, 06:47 PM	#5
hotrod803 Drives: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: United States Posts: 14	Already had that taken care of when I was at the dealer. They did a fluid replacement and told me to drive it about 200 miles. So far I have not have any more shudder issues since they did the fluid swap.

12-01-2019, 07:09 PM	#6
dpevans Drives: 2024 Riverside Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,357	Seems to me if it was noticeable to you it might have stored codes and you could take it to a mechanic that's good with diagnostics and he could check fuel trims, O2 levels and the such.

12-01-2019, 07:11 PM	#7
pabex Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: New Jersey Posts: 123	this is about to be a dumb question, but for a noob, could someone in simple terms describe what sputtering really is ?

12-01-2019, 09:32 PM	#11
wwiiavfan Drives: 2017 1SS Hyper Blue Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 479	I think they all do it to some extent. You have an 11.5:1 compression motor with a somewhat hot cam, so a little bit of that should be expected in my opinion.

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