1500 mile road-trip coming up - tune up suggestions?

[MrsWench]

Hello everyone, I have a 2012 1.8 Chevy Sonic Hatch LT with 137,871 miles on it. I am currently having ongoing issues with it repeatedly hesitating while accelerating through the 30-50 range but the dealer cannot seem to find any issues, so currently playing the "wait till it gets worse and more obvious" game.

I am planning a 1500 mile road trip in the next few months and want to make sure everything is as good as it can be, but while I enjoy my mechanics view of not throwing parts at something blindly it also means they cannot seem to manage a general check of things without being specifically directed.

Maybe y'all can help me and point me in the right directions. I have written out all the work I have had on the vehicle, minus the basic maintenance stuff.

26k - Engine/Transmission mount adjusted
30k - Replace faulty airbag module
31k - Replace both front brake caliper brackets
31k - Flush coolant system
33k - Replace transmission turbine shaft
62k - Replace intake duct and clean throttle body
63k - 4 new tires & replace rear brakes/rotors w/align
72k - Replace front right hub bearing w/align
100k - New Battery
108k - New front right CV axle half shaft w/align
117k - Transmission fluid flush/exchange
118k - Replace spark plugs
118k - Flush coolant system
118k - Inspected timing belt – did not replace
118k - Clean fuel induction/throttle body
118k - Replace spark plug coil pack
123k - Re-Replace front right cv axle half shaft under warranty w/align
124k - 4 new tires
124k - Brake fluid flush/exchange
125k - Replace valve cover gasket
127k - Replace front brakes & resurface rotors
132k - Replace gear shifter & components
135k - Replace cracked water drainpipe/hose & refilled coolant

Apologies if some of this has wrong names, I did my best to write things down. Would be so grateful if anyone could let me know of any services I may be due for as I don't run into issues on the road? Family keeps telling me to get rid of this and buy a newer car but I feel like it still has some good life left in it. If I am wrong on that front, let me know as well. :banana: Thank you!

 

[T Talley]

I don't see where the coil pack was changed. That's what I would change out next. I had a miss and the coil pack from Ebay $45 fixed my problem

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[MrsWench]

I don't see where the coil pack was changed. That's what I would change out next. I had a miss and the coil pack from Ebay $45 fixed my problem

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Thank you for the response. Coil pack was replaced at 118k miles.

 

[dannyg]

I take it the dealer inspected the timing belt at 118K and said it was OK? That seems odd since the manual (for my 2015 anyway) says to replace it at 97,500 mi (call it 100K). You’re up to 135K, my suggestion would be to replace it at some point fairly soon. If the belt goes you can really mess up the engine.

Sorry, can’t help with the hesitation you’re seeing at 30-50MPH. Something in the automatic tranny? No idea.

Have fun on the trip!

 

[MrsWench]

I take it the dealer inspected the timing belt at 118K and said it was OK? That seems odd since the manual (for my 2015 anyway) says to replace it at 97,500 mi (call it 100K). You’re up to 135K, my suggestion would be to replace it at some point fairly soon. If the belt goes you can really mess up the engine.

Sorry, can’t help with the hesitation you’re seeing at 30-50MPH. Something in the automatic tranny? No idea.

Have fun on the trip!

Thank you! Yeah, said it looked good but they probably didn't expect me to go another 17k miles on it perhaps. But also all the times I've had it in no one has said anything either. Definitely going to have them replace that soon. I've had it in multiple times for the hesitation and they say they can't find anything, last time I took it in for overheating and throwing codes (one of which pointed to the fuel pump or related components) and asked them to check the fuel pump. They found the broken water drainpipe that had been leaking coolant and chalked it all up to that, so who knows why its hesitating so bad.

I have had similar issues with this car since the beginning, even pursued lemon law on it but got cut off by Chevy's legal team. Even when I first got it it would hesitate for a quick moment when I would go to accelerate from a stop, like after merging into traffic from a side road, which could be so dangerous. Took it in many times to have that checked to no avail. It doesn't do that so much anymore but is now doing it while accelerating in that specific range mostly, its a jarring hesitation.

 

[JTee2017]

Alert ! With 137,000 miles on it . . . . I would not wait to replace the Timing Belt any longer !

It is like. . . . 40,000 miles past due.

If it goes, that's it for the engine. It will drop valves into the tops of the pistons and destroy the engine. BIG $$$$ for that repair . . . if it doesn't also cause more damage to things.

JMO. . ..

 

[MrsWench]

Alert ! With 137,000 miles on it . . . . I would not wait to replace the Timing Belt any longer !

It is like. . . . 40,000 miles past due.

If it goes, that's it for the engine. It will drop valves into the tops of the pistons and destroy the engine. BIG $$$$ for that repair . . . if it doesn't also cause more damage to things.

JMO. . ..

Absolutely! Pretty much right after posting I scheduled for this, earliest they could get me in is next Tuesday so...fingers crossed!

 

[perrymk]

I'd take a coil pack along with the necessary tools, which are minimal. I finally spent a little extra on the MSD coil pack and the problems haven't returned.

 

[MrsWench]

I'd take a coil pack along with the necessary tools, which are minimal. I finally spent a little extra on the MSD coil pack and the problems haven't returned.

Thank you for response. Are you saying to get a new coil pack even though it's only been 20k miles since the last new one?

(Timing belt has been replaced along with the tensioner and idler pulley)

 

[Z71]

There is no need to replace the coil pack after 20k unless the engine starts missing. If the coil is bad, you will know right away. On this particular car, the coil pack boots are subjected to extreme engine heat and will deteriorate so replacing the coil pack about every 100k miles seems reasonable. Spark plugs should last just as long.

Your hesitation problem may be related to delayed transmission shifting (I assume it is an automatic transmission).

 

[MrsWench]

There is no need to replace the coil pack after 20k unless the engine starts missing. If the coil is bad, you will know right away. On this particular car, the coil pack boots are subjected to extreme engine heat and will deteriorate so replacing the coil pack about every 100k miles seems reasonable. Spark plugs should last just as long.

Your hesitation problem may be related to delayed transmission shifting (I assume it is an automatic transmission).

Yes, it is automatic. And before it started to get worse, it was distinctly happening at shift points. Anything that can be done for that?

Also, for whatever reason it seems to happen less when I spring for the premium gas. Dealer said that may happen and its just a band-aid, but couldn't tell me why or what it means, so I figured it couldn't hurt.

 

[Z71]

Yes, it is automatic. And before it started to get worse, it was distinctly happening at shift points. Anything that can be done for that?

Also, for whatever reason it seems to happen less when I spring for the premium gas. Dealer said that may happen and its just a band-aid, but couldn't tell me why or what it means, so I figured it couldn't hurt.

Automatic transmission shifting is controlled by the software loaded into transmission control module. To change the shift pattern, custom reprogramming would be required. There are aftermarket outfits that offer custom tune for GM vehicles, but these are usually full size trucks or SUVs, or sports cars. Not sure if something is available for Chevy Sonic. There could be an issue inside the transmission such as gummed up shift solenoids not responding quickly enough. When was the last service done on the transmission? Was the fluid just changed or was the transmission flushed? Flushing is not recommended, as it can actually force dirt into components and cause problems. If using premium gas help the shifting, continue using it. You can also ask your GM dealer is there are any transmission software updates available for this car from GM. Such updates are frequently done if there is a widespread problem with transmissions on a particular vehicle. .

 

[ScarabEpic22]

Automatic transmission shifting is controlled by the software loaded into transmission control module. To change the shift pattern, custom reprogramming would be required. There are aftermarket outfits that offer custom tune for GM vehicles, but these are usually full size trucks or SUVs, or sports cars. Not sure if something is available for Chevy Sonic. There could be an issue inside the transmission such as gummed up shift solenoids not responding quickly enough. When was the last service done on the transmission? Was the fluid just changed or was the transmission flushed? Flushing is not recommended, as it can actually force dirt into components and cause problems. If using premium gas help the shifting, continue using it. You can also ask your GM dealer is there are any transmission software updates available for this car from GM. Such updates are frequently done if there is a widespread problem with transmissions on a particular vehicle. .

Yes, get a tune from a quality tuning shop. Bad News Racing (BNR) has tuned a lot of Sonics with good results.

 

[MrsWench]

Automatic transmission shifting is controlled by the software loaded into transmission control module. To change the shift pattern, custom reprogramming would be required. There are aftermarket outfits that offer custom tune for GM vehicles, but these are usually full size trucks or SUVs, or sports cars. Not sure if something is available for Chevy Sonic. There could be an issue inside the transmission such as gummed up shift solenoids not responding quickly enough. When was the last service done on the transmission? Was the fluid just changed or was the transmission flushed? Flushing is not recommended, as it can actually force dirt into components and cause problems. If using premium gas help the shifting, continue using it. You can also ask your GM dealer is there are any transmission software updates available for this car from GM. Such updates are frequently done if there is a widespread problem with transmissions on a particular vehicle. .

So sorry to delay, the emails were going to my spam for some reason.
The transmission turbine shaft was replaced in 2014 and a flush/exchange was done last year by the dealer. I will ask them about any available software updates as I am taking it back in Saturday for Traction Control and ABS lights that keep coming on on my dash. Thank you!

 

[MrsWench]

Yes, get a tune from a quality tuning shop. Bad News Racing (BNR) has tuned a lot of Sonics with good results.

I will certainly look into a tune, thank you for the referral!

 

[TitanBlue]

Did you get the Timing Belt done? How much at the dealer?

Other than airbag, caliper bracket, turbine shaft, most of the rest listed is typical for any car and shows you stay on top of maintenance. Seems everyone has to replace hubs, most are non greaseable and very inexpensive if you only buy the part and install yourself. Figure out the shift hesitation issue, and you're in decent shape. Most odd issues were warranty and on an early model car.

 

[gnonne]

What coil pack was used? Did it make any difference for any length of time?

I've heard stories of bad coil packs online for low prices. If you got one of these cheap ones, that still may be the problem.

OEM or MSD seem to be the best options for coil packs.

 

[TitanBlue]

She has a 1.8L, so MSD will to be an option. Wish it was!

I used a Delphi GN10234 for $69 at AMZ. AMZ says it does not fit 1.8L, but it crosses and works perfect. Delphi is an old school trusted brand from GM's heritage.

 

[MrsWench]

Did you get the Timing Belt done? How much at the dealer?

Other than airbag, caliper bracket, turbine shaft, most of the rest listed is typical for any car and shows you stay on top of maintenance. Seems everyone has to replace hubs, most are non greaseable and very inexpensive if you only buy the part and install yourself. Figure out the shift hesitation issue, and you're in decent shape. Most odd issues were warranty and on an early model car.

Yes, I got the timing belt done at the dealer. It was just over $700 after all the fees and taxes, and included the tensioner and idler pulley.

 

[MrsWench]

What coil pack was used? Did it make any difference for any length of time?

I've heard stories of bad coil packs online for low prices. If you got one of these cheap ones, that still may be the problem.

OEM or MSD seem to be the best options for coil packs.

I don't recall the type of coil pack, whatever the auto parts store would have given as being compatible with my vehicle. I asked the dealer about it and he said it shows no signs of being bad or defective.