Acceleration Problem...

Ever since I bought my car, it seems like it lags for power when you "get on it." In this recent tank of gas that I am running on, I am running that fuel system treatment stuff (the one you can buy at autozone with a red 3000 on it). I'm about a 1/4 of a tank left currently. I have noticed a little difference, but it's still there.

The best way to describe it, is to take this scenario: I'm driving down the road doing... lets say... 25 in second gear. Now I floor it, and it doesn't go anywhere for like 2 seconds or so and then the power hits, but then a second later it feels like it stops and then goes again. It feels like your driving an automatic and you completely floor it. It has that delay to it, ya know? Well, that's what it feels like. And it has a sort of "stutter" to it's smooth acceleration, as I've described. I've had other people in the car and asked them to "feel" for it and they too describe it as if it cuts in and out a few times. It's not major like the ECU shuts off or anything but it's enough to be of a bother.

I was saving my pennies for the 120k tune-up, so that may solve something. Could it possibly be the spark-plugs?

Oh, and when my car is idling... it idles at around 800. But it feels like it has a pulse. You can't really hear it, but the car has a motor-feeling vibration to it that goes in intervals of about a second. Any ideas?

Ok, I've asked enough. Thanks for your help everyone.

I'm trying to think, it would sound something that has to do with the ignition. Since you are working on the 120K tune up, go ahead and replace your timing belt, waterpump, spark plugs and wires, and see if that makes it better.

Ever since I bought my car, it seems like it lags for power when you "get on it." In this recent tank of gas that I am running on, I am running that fuel system treatment stuff (the one you can buy at autozone with a red 3000 on it). I'm about a 1/4 of a tank left currently. I have noticed a little difference, but it's still there.

The best way to describe it, is to take this scenario: I'm driving down the road doing... lets say... 25 in second gear. Now I floor it, and it doesn't go anywhere for like 2 seconds or so and then the power hits, but then a second later it feels like it stops and then goes again. It feels like your driving an automatic and you completely floor it. It has that delay to it, ya know? Well, that's what it feels like. And it has a sort of "stutter" to it's smooth acceleration, as I've described. I've had other people in the car and asked them to "feel" for it and they too describe it as if it cuts in and out a few times. It's not major like the ECU shuts off or anything but it's enough to be of a bother.

I was saving my pennies for the 120k tune-up, so that may solve something. Could it possibly be the spark-plugs?

Oh, and when my car is idling... it idles at around 800. But it feels like it has a pulse. You can't really hear it, but the car has a motor-feeling vibration to it that goes in intervals of about a second. Any ideas?

Ok, I've asked enough. Thanks for your help everyone.

most likely its your spark plugs. myself and many others had the exact problem your describing and it was the plugs.
let us know if the tune up doesnt work.

most likely its your spark plugs. myself and many others had the exact problem your describing and it was the plugs.
let us know if the tune up doesnt work.

:1: Replace your plugs, and pressure testing the intake wont hurt either...renew some of that lost hp.

Im thinking you just need to downshift.

My car had that problem at 180k and it was the fuel filter, I would definitely get it checked out though because it will only get worse.

Oh, one more thing. Does the car run fine over about 3500rpm? Mine ran like crap until I took it up to high rpm's.

could it be sparkblow out that was what happen to me kinda the same thing

Oh, one more thing. Does the car run fine over about 3500rpm? Mine ran like crap until I took it up to high rpm's.

Well... hmm. Yeah, I would say it runs pretty good if I'm above 3500 or 4000 RPM's. By saying running good, I mean it doesn't do the hesitation thing as much. It still does, but just a few small putters... still noticeable when you drive it. I'm thinking it either has something to do with the spark plugs or the fuel system.

Mine was the fuel system, run some really good fuel cleaner, a little more than they recommend adding, and every once in a while just drive it really hard to try and blow shit out. It will at least hold you off until you can get to the shop.

I recently put a container of "Seafoam" in my 1/4 of a tank.
http://www.jemdistributors.com/images/seaphomelphoto.jpg
I drove it around for quite a while. I waited until the low fuel light came one and then gave it about a half a tank of gas. I think after I did that, it fixed my problem I think. I don't really notice it as much. So I think it was just the injectors or something because that stuff did the trick... for now. But I am still going to get the full tune-up done anyway.

mine did the same thing what u described. it was the fuel filter. wasnt giving enough fuel because it was clogged/dirty/or whatever the hell happens to old fuel filters

Did you ever solve the studder/hesitation problem? mine is doing thins and I think it's the plugs/wires.

i would say most likely plugs/wires, but wouldnt hurt to check the fuel pump voltage