Cutlass Ciera engine hesitation

keilerstag · #1 08-11-2008, 08:11 PM

I've been having some problems lately with my engine's acceleration and overall well-being. Here's some information about how my car has been acting:

> when I first start my car the engine will start fine and then after about 3 seconds will start sputtering until I give it gas. If I let it sputter without giving it gas, it will stall out.

> if I brake too hard when coming to a stop while in drive, my engine will come close to stalling out (which it has done on two or three occassions)

> when I accelerate from a dead stop my car will hesitate as if it isn't getting gas. Let's just say if I were to put the pedal to the metal at a stop sign, the engine would probably stall or just hesitate then after a few seconds would finally throw you in your seat.

I don't know what to do about it. Maybe there's water in my lines which would call for some dry gas? But if there was, there would have to be a LOT because my car has been hesitant like this for a little more than a year. I do use Lucas fuel injector cleaner often and some fuel treatment often but I haven't really seen any improvement.

Any suggestions??

Also, might I add: 1993 Cutlass Ciera S; 3.3L

maxwedge · #2 08-12-2008, 03:42 PM

Welcome to AF. Check the Fuel pressure for starters. Look for at least 37 psi.

keilerstag · #3 08-15-2008, 04:38 PM

Fuel pressure is up there at about 38 psi. The only other possible problem I can think of is the injectors. Any thoughts on that?

Jrs3800 · #4 08-15-2008, 04:46 PM

The only things I can think of are TPS could be going bad, This can cause a lot of driveability issues..

Also The MAF Sensor on the 3300 will and does get coated with carbon soot over time.. If the MAF has never been cleaned it may be getting very slow to react...

I'd tell you to get a can of CRC MAF Cleaner( right around $6 a can... And I need to get a can at my next visit to Advance )... Remove your MAF and spray the little filaments untill they look clean... Don't touch, or bend the filaments... Allow the MAF to dry before you install it back on the car...

If you have a Scan Tool, it would be very easy to see what the TPS is doing..

Let us know what you do and find..

keilerstag · #5 08-17-2008, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

Also The MAF Sensor on the 3300 will and does get coated with carbon soot over time.. If the MAF has never been cleaned it may be getting very slow to react...

Yeaaaaah, I highly doubt this car's MAF has been cleaned seeing as how it used to be my great grandma's. Although, I do have to inquire, would it really be that dirty seeing as how the car only has, as of now, about 54K miles for a '93?

I've never had to do anything with an MAF and was wondering how difficult it is to access it on my car.

Mikey_G · #6 08-26-2008, 09:46 PM

Not sure what exactly the hesitation is that you're seeing, but my 92 Olds hesitated when first pressing the accelerator. Fuel injectors needed replacing. You could try getting them cleaned at Firestone or somewhere and if that improves things I'd say that's likely. But, if the car is older and you can do the work yourself I'd say to buy a new set (maybe $200 tops) and replace them yourself. The clean at Firestone will probably cost you close to $100 already and with a car your age the injectors will probably need to be replaced if they haven't been already anyway.

micropone · #7 10-18-2008, 01:29 AM

i have a 94 3100 cutless.. I have the same problem on OD. FP is 35.. maf was cleaned.. tps showing +- 2.5 volts.. At 60 mph the tires hestits.. in DRIVE no problems with so even.. Wierd problem.. Please advise

maxwedge · #8 10-18-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micropone

i have a 94 3100 cutless.. I have the same problem on OD. FP is 35.. maf was cleaned.. tps showing +- 2.5 volts.. At 60 mph the tires hestits.. in DRIVE no problems with so even.. Wierd problem.. Please advise

Welcome to AF. Please start a new thread, this may or may not be related and the diagnostics go with that. thanks

keilerstag · #9 11-12-2008, 01:00 AM

Hey everyone. Thought I would update you all on what happened to me today.

So, I solved the hesitation problem... it all was due to bad tranny fluid. I pulled up to Valvoline today to have them flush it and as I watched the clear tube go from clear to dark red, dark enough to be considered black, I knew all of my problems were due to bad fluid.

About $200 later (to include a coolant flush), I am fully satisfied and look forward to many more years with my 93 Cutlass Ciera.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.

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