1998 chevy cavalier z24 engine idels really bad

It sounds like your fuel filter is clogged, or the fuel pump is failing. I would change the filter first and see if that does it.

Carlos it sounds to me like your running with a dead cylinder. I want you to test for spark on all four of your plugs one at a time. You can buy a spark tester at most auto parts stores or just use a small diameter but long screw driver. With the engine off key off pull a plug wire off and insert the plug end of tester into the wire boot or stick the end of the screw driver in and attach the clip on tester to engine block or hold the shaft of the screw driver an 8th of an inch from the block an have a helper crank the motor ( be sure to keep all lose clothing and items away from moving parts) if you see spark jump the gap it's good. You can also remove the spark plug stick it back in the wire boot and holding the boot hold the threaded end of plug against the block. And watch the electrode for blue spark. I'm thinking you have a bad coil.

Sounds like you may have burned up a couple of valves or you lost the piston rings

if vthe fuel pressure is going bad then the car will give you small stumble when starting the engine. during the process of starting or turning motor off have you smell gasoline? these are symptoms that a fuel pressure reg is starting to go bad. make sure this is resolve before going and buying to find out is not the solution to the problem.

hello firstly the cause of the loss of power and missing this is down to the timing belt it may need to be replaced and set this would cause loss of power ,check your plugs and set them with the proper feeler gauge hope this helps

a clogged air filter can cause this, ....slightly more fuel neede to compensate for lack of air, hence the smell of fuel

anytime you can smell gas, you have a leak, not good to drive if you can smell strong fume and not safe to drive. check all fuel line and fuel filter connection. check gasket on intake manifold and your injector. The rpm goes up and drown erratically, check your distributor connections and the ground wires. If distrubutor has bad ground or conection can cause erratic behavior RPM guage.

obviously the altenator is running to earth inside ,could be a rectifier diode .change altenator and recharge battery

Smelling antifreeze from the coolent A !
Definitely a leak!
Hopefully not a head gasket leak!
Try warming it up without any accessories on until it gets good and hot, pop the hood and look all around!

I would check the exhaust pipe a little closewr. White smoke can also mean a blown head gasket. Check the tail pipe to see if moisture is present. Also check coolant level. A blown head gasket can also cause related problems.

Bill