02 Grand Prix 3.8L AutoTrans, Car Jerks Under Load

[rljt60]

Boss's wife added octane booster and injector cleaner to same tank of gas. Do not think it was a leaded booster as no rotten egg smell from exhaust. Soon after additions the car starts fine, check engine light goes out, idles fine and then when you try to accelerate it jerks heavily ... kind of like someone is spitting gas into it ... Once you get to a speed and do not try to accelerate it glides along fine. Then when you try to accelerate again, it jerks up to speed and then glides along fine again.

Half a tank later, it was refilled but still has same issues. Does this sound like a coincidence issue and something else is the cause (like a modulator, timing or injector issue) or do they just need to run all the gas out of it and refill it? As I said, the check engine light is working ok and there is no rotten egg smell. Also, the computer has not been checked for codes but sooner or later the light would have triggered I expect as it is a every 'start' and 'drive' issue.
Appreciate your input,
Bill

[tblake]

have it scanned. You may have shorted out an injector coil by using all those additives.

[mutantenemy]

I have to agree that it is probably related to the fuel injectors and may stem from the use of the additives. I had a similar problem that developed after years of using fuel system cleaners and may have been due to using those products. I have also experienced that problem directly after using fuel system cleaner. When that happens I believe it is because the fuel injectors are becoming clean.

At any rate, that engine is known to have issues with the #3 and #5 fuel injectors failing regardless of additive use so you may want to focus your analysis on those two injectors. After replacing those two injectors (and all injector o-rings) my engine ran fine again after driving them in.

The injectors began failing around 100,000 miles, but I read on here that it has happened as early as 80,000 miles for some people.

[Make 'em Last]

Agree with Tim to have it scanned. Even better if you have access to a scanner that picks up pending codes (have to use it during symptoms).

Wouldn't be too surprised if a spark plug fouled as a result of the additives.

[torqueie]

Try a tune-up
The X was gunna trash the prix and I said noway. someone told her head gasket i was like BS. plugs and wires and damn what a diff.
mine would spit and spudder up hill at low accelarator pressure but kick to florr and it would take off.