How it happened: I went through a wall of water going down the freeway and everyone slowed to 25mph, as the rain was just too much. Immediately after I took the next exit. This rain came out of nowhere, it was not gradual.

What I am driving: 2007 Cobalt LS 2.2 Ecotec with automatic transmission.

The result: Upon acceleration, the car has a vibration that is felt through the steering at 3000 rpms. It is a light vibration and is audible. The sound is of it is working a little harder than normal. WTF?

When I drove home and it was no longer raining, the same thing happened again a few more times. This time when I was on the freeway, around 65 mph when I let off the gas, it decelerated quicker than normal from just letting off the gas. It felt like the brakes were slightly pressed. WTF?

So I am thinking, water or just the humidity has got into the intake and it will dry later.

Today I drive it and it does it again at 3000 rpms a few more times.

My attempt to fix: I get 89 octane and top it off from a half tank to full.

The problem seemingly went away, but it might have just recessed itself from the gas station to home.

I noticed something today, as my car is an 07 and I have not ever looked under my car:
It does not have a splash guard... WTF OVER?

Does anyone know what is up and what could have caused this?

Could this be a temporary or permanent problem?

Anyone else have this?

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Another problem:

My steering has a pronounced feel of straining when I turn right at low speeds.
I had it today where it made a sort of rattle or tapping noise that lasted for one second when I turned right hard while going 3mph in a parking lot.

Anyone know what the deal is here?

I tried to duplicate the noise, and it would not, but the steering strain during a right turn is still there.

 

did you get a check engine light at all?

 

I would take it to the dealer have them check it out

 

how big/deep was this wall of water?

 

There was no CEL.

The wall of water is a description of how bad it rained, I couldn't see more than 10 feet in front of me. The fastest setting on the windshield wiper could not keep up.

People were having water jet upwards by 6 feet left and right of there tires.

I just looked at my brother's 07 Cobalt 4 door LT and it too does not have a splash guard under the car!!! The engine, and tranny can get nailed by water with no effort which is either because Chevy has a stronger motor that is resistant to cold water splashing on it and wont warp, or they don't care.

I drove the LS again today and I have no idea why but the car is perfect now and has a lot more up and go than it ever did, WTF?

 

ya theres no splash guard under the engine. the best we get is 2 pieces that come off the fender well. It is not a big deal though. What worries me is that other person who went through water. His engine was fine, but I think the alternator took a crap because it was flooded with water.

I was in a similar situation going to work. But luckily I was able to go really slow, like 5mph through it. Didn't have any problems though, just freaked me out while I was going through it. Worst road flooding I have seen in a few years here.

 

that's weird ... if no cel's are online I wouldn't worry about it though ... try driving a couple days without the radio and listen carefully for any noises. I drive without the radio everyday ... dont even use my xm anymore I just like the sound of the wind and the purr of the exhaust

 

That was the best organized problem write-up I've ever seen. I just thought you should know.

 

Much appreciated, I learned that if it is not done like this that people will skim read as all the text becomes just yadda yadda and they hone in only on certain peices which lands no answers.