Please...any thoughts???

[Weaver5]

1994 Trans Sport, 190k. Hard to describe whats going on. Starting a few weeks ago, when you press on gas, it hesitates like it doesn't want to go at first. (It'll jerk 3 or 4 times) Last Saturday, it was just running crappy, then Sunday, it over heated on me. Radiator had a hole in it.
Thinking that was the whole problem, I replaced the raditor. Next day still running like crap, only now, its shuddering while driving when you press on the gas. So I checked transmission fluid, changed fuel filter. No change.
I've been driving it (have to get to work) and crossing my fingers it don't break down. Can anyone suggest what it might be or has anyone experienced this?

[LMP]

3.8 or 3.1? and..is the Check Engine Light ON ?
Anyway, the basics first: is the car running on original spark plug wires? Change them. This has solved many problems that could have been described as yours, including mine, just a week ago. It is just mind boggling that failed plug wires can pass the threshold between serviceable/unserviceable over a really short period. Of course, while doing the wires, if you do not remember when the plugs were changed lst time, do it.
FUel delivery problems are rare (although fuel pump changes are not).....but a fuel pressure test tells the tale (around 40psi on the 3.8, around 12 on the 3.1)...
Once you have fuel and spark....and still have problems, more details are required....

[aamirmali]

Like LMP said, you need to check for the basics first. Remember there are 3 things that make the engine run: air, fuel and spark.

Air - just change your filter, if you haven't done it in a while... cheap item anyway.

Fuel - you've changed the filter already, now check the fuel pressure.

Ignition - how old are the plugs / wires? If they are old, change them. If new, make sure the wires are not broken or burned anywhere. If the engine is giving a code, what is it?

[Weaver5]

well, started to run better, but yesterday, i was sitting in a drive thru when all a sudden I heard a loud rattling and smelled burning rubber. pulled over in parking lot and the serpentine belt was broken.
I got a new belt @ auto part store, replaced it, started it up, and then it was making this funny jingling noise and the A/C compressor pully was not turning.
A/C has never worked, i actually had just recharged it a few weeks before these problems started. it ran for about a week and quit, i just assumed it had a leak somewhere. could this be what is causing all the shuddering when it drives?

[LMP]

This sounds as your A/C compressor is freezed, I mean, seized. Just get a 72.5" belt and bypass the A/C compressor: at least this will let you run the car, give time to decide what you do with the problem, and see if all the rest is solved too.
www.avigex.ca/xport/serpentinebelt.jpg
You still haven't specified if 3.1 or 3.8...belt size above is for 3.8

[Weaver5]

Sorry..it's a 3.1, check engine light not on.
Actually ended up being the water pump, not a/c compressor. neither pully was turning, but it was the WP pully that was froze up. the a/c just wasn't turning due to the other one not turning. It turned when I checked it manually, but not the WP pully. So I spent yesterday afternoon replacing the WP, runs good, but now I'm back to square one!
The original problem with the hesitating/shuddering is still there. It's not quite as bad, but definitly there.
Question is, is it related to all this with the radiator/WP? I'm completely lost.

[LMP]

Any codes? If an early '94, you might be able to "flash" them
www.avigex.ca/xport/readingcodes.jpg
www.avigex.ca/xport/codes31.jpg
A tps problem (codes 21 or 22) could be a factor...