Q: 2005 Saturn L300 hard to start

asked by on February 01, 2016

I cannot get my car to pass a smog check. It has two issues that need to be fixed, including the EGR and EVAP. The car is also hard to start.

Car is hard to start Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi. It seems to me that your EGR valve and EVAP need to be replaced. The car is hard to start because the pressure in the system is not correct in order for the engine to run efficiently. I would have a qualified mechanic run some diagnostics on the car’s starting issue to isolate any other issues the vehicle may be having.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How Do the Turn Signals Work on My Car?
The turn signals (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/how-do-you-operate-the-turn-signals) are sets of lights that use a flasher (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/hazard-turn-signal-flasher-replacement) or timer element to cycle the correct set of lights for both the front and rear of the car, to signal other drivers when you are turning...
How Does a Mechanic Check a Car Alternator's Voltage Output?
The first thing a mechanic will do is to check the battery cables to make sure they are clean. Then the battery is checked (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-check-a-car-battery) to make sure it is at the proper voltage of close to 12.6 volts, using...
Oil on spark plug
There can only be two ways the oil is getting on the spark plug. The piston oil control rings are stuck or broken and letting excess oil into the cylinder. The intake valves seals for the cylinder in question are...
Brake pads, discs, and sensors replaced
Hello. Your vehicle has sensors that are installed into certain brake pads which alerts the driver when the brake pads are worn down (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-bad-or-failing-brake-pads) to a certain point. These sensors need to be replaced whenever the brakes are done. They...
Clicking sound from the rear end on 1990 Porsche 944
The rubber boot on the CV joint (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/axle-cv-shaft-assembly-replacement) can rupture after high miles and the grease will leak or splatter from the area as the wheel it's connected to turns. Once the joint is dry, you will be able to...
Car won't shift,smoke coming from underneath,leaking transmission fluid.
You will need to have the transmission leak pinpointed to isolate the source of the issue. If one of the lines are leaking then it can be repaired but if the front pump seal is leaking then the transmission would...
Bad Purge Valve?
Hey there. All modern cars are equipped with an Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in...
Stalling then hard to start
When you start your car in the morning and turn the key to on, the coolant temperature sensor immediately reads the temperature of the coolant and relays this to the computer indicating that the coolant is cold. The computer then...
How much to change an axle on a 2007 ford focus?
In order to get a proper quote for the needed repairs to fix the damage you will need to have the complete suspension checked to see all what got bent in the accident. You may need control arms, hub and...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing EGR Cooler
Common signs include engine overheating, exhaust leaking, and the Check Engine Light coming on.
How to Replace an EVP Position Sensor
The EGR valve is monitored by a valve position sensor. This sensor helps your car's EGR system to run more efficiently and better control emissions.
How to Replace an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve can cause drivability problems if it fails and should be replaced to avoid engine performance issues.