I have a 93 SE it seems that sometimes I get a nice launch and other times Yugos take off faster. The car feels like there is an elephant in the trunk. I am now noticing that every once in awhile when I accelerate the car would make a popping noise during which time I would lose acceleration and then it would resume acceleration again. I just had the plugs changed a year ago.
any suggestions.

 

First of all, get those plugs out and examine, clean and gap or replace. Pop? I don't know, but hesitation could be caused be many things. Check the EGR valve. Does your engine have a stable idle? If the EGR leaks or sticks it can cause such problems. Even if your idle is good, could still be sticking open under throttle. Also, check your timing, but this would not likely be intermittent problem. My car had a problem with the injector harness plugs. The boots cracked from age and over time, moisture corroded the contacts. Try pushing on each injector plug at the boot and wiggle it a little. If the engine misses, this could be the prob. Just some suggestions. Hard to diagnose on the web!

 

um, don't gap platinum plugs!!!!! not good for em. and when those plugs cost 11 bucks apiece. . . . . sorry i just replaced mine and i'm still a bit bitter. . . got a discount though through the shop, it only cost me like 50. anyway, mine used to hesitate on acceleration. it would feel like it would really want to go, but not quite be there. . . . anyway, the plugs actually made a big difference. Probably cause they were stock and had 124k on em!!!

 

124k on original plugs!! Impressive, or not. No wonder the new plugs made a difference. Have you done any other maintainance since new? How bout timing, plug wires etc. Replacement wires cost a bunch, so I bought some ACCEL superstock wires for a V8 and used the 6 that fit the best. The look nice (yellow) are 8mm, silicone jacket, and cost under 20 bucks! Plug wire pliers help with installation.

 

hopefully this will change the performance of my car for the better.i'm almost positive they're stock and i've got almost 151k.
any idea why my car would have very low power at high rpm? flooring through first and second it seems held back. its not a jerky stumble or anything, it just doesnt accelerate like it should and has. so tomrrow i'm replacing my plugs with the NGKs i bought today.

 

could be fuel filter or jwt intake that hurts throttle response

 

already replaced the fuel filter..like 200 miles ago. and my intake when i first put it on, only helped everything.
im going to take it one step at a time, hopefully the spark plugs are the problem.

 

I have a VE, so ther'es not AS much to do. plugs, fuel filter, i have a timing chain, so you don't have to change it. . . . . at least that's my theory on the chain. . . leave it unless it starts to make noise (chain tensioner usually)

 

I'm still kinda new to the whole engine world, but may I recommend a new throttle position sensor? I've been told by numerous people that that is the reason for my loss of horses. My new one should be here any day. Ordered it from Autozone.com for about 40 bucks. Hope it was worth it. I'll post once I get it installed.

 

I have the same problem, but just figured it must be normal for an old car.. I'm not sure if the previous owners have changed the spark plugs ever... doesn't appear so from the maintenance records they gave me. I'll have to check all these tips out, maybe I won't lose to Neons and Hyundais anymore!

 

NEw plugs should do the trick. 151k is ALOT of milage for any plug to be in there, platinum or not. even if it is cleaned and gapped every so often. Check your timing too. Do you get any ping or knock? Do you have the original cat on the exhaust system. I had a car that gave me doggy doodie acceleration do to a clogged cat. Someone mentioned the JWT intake...Throttle response is like the biggest improvement of any intake, at least that is my experience..

 

Thanks for all the suggestions I will start with the plugs.

 

Cleaning your throttle body will improve acceleration too. Check out Craig Brace's website for details. Best of all, costs less than $5.

 

well, there is all my power. i thought i was just missing top end, but apparently, i was missing low, mid and top.
huge difference everywhere. ontop of the power being regained, its smoother at idle too. hopefully gas mileage will be helped too.

just lettin' you guys know what happened when i replaced my plugs.

 

wow i think i need new spark plugs cause i can barely redline in first (VE 5spd also) never even try in 2nd gear cause it feels like it cuts out at 4500n rpm. are the platinum tip have ngk r written on the white part.

 

I am having a similar problem, but no intake installed. I have 77k on a 93 Max. Is there any consensous on an older car having little miles on it and having to replace plugs? Or should I look into a new Cat.

 

not sure. when i asked for new NGK spark plugs for my car, the guy said the only one listed from NGK is the platinum. hope this helps.

 

if it were me, i'd have the cat checked, and if that was ok, dont ask any questions, just replace the plugs. also, take your upper intake hose off and clean the throttle body. it takes alot of cleaner to flush that crap out. use a toothbrush too, helped me alot. too bad i didnt flush the TB well enough(just swirled the dirt around because i didnt have much time), its all dirty again.

 

How do you clean the TB without removing the aluminum air inlet that bolts to the TB? This require a new gasket too. I can only speak for VG. Maybe VE has a more easily accessible TB. It is a good idea though. Also, while the cat is off the car remember, a good cat is a hollow cat.HeHe

 

Where do I find Craig Braces site?

 

i didnt remove the thottle body. thats why it didnt work very well. all i did was take of the rubber hose that attaches the TB to the MAFS. then i sprayed the cleaner and scrubbed with an old toothbrush, then sprayed until it dripped out clean. then after i put everything except the screwdriver away i noticed i didnt do much but smear the dirt around, so i put it back together..i'll do it some other day.

 

my car hesitates also when i step on it. my car is a 91se 5pd. my plug were just replaced 5k ago i think, could it be a fuel filter, my car only has 75k on it

 

I'm suprised Craig didn't jump at the chance for self-promotion I know I always do. Anyway here is Craig's URL.. lots of useful stuff, Craig's da man: http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gte671n/mymax.html

 

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the MAF. I'm having the same problems...where my car off the line in 1st and 2nd tend to hesitate and struggle. I changed my plugs a year ago and my fuel filter not to long ago. I have narrowed it down to either the MAF or possibly a clogged cat. I have already purchased another MAF so I will see what that does real soon. I recently sprayed my MAF contacts with crc spray and it seemed to help some, but the hestiation is still there.

Later,
Kevin

 

Kevin... I have a 92SE with a similar condition and I too have replaced the fuel filter and plugs recently. The plugs seemed to help a little, but I think they really just needed changing. Please let us know what you find with the MAF.

 

Don't forget to check out the throttle position sensor......

It could be the prob, and about $80 or so to replace.

 

I haven't checked mine, but the FSM doesn't specify a replacement interval for this item (as someone mentioned a while ago). There's also a test for it where you use a multimeter (analog would be better) to test its voltage output for smoothness in change as you move the throttle... I would assume you wouldn't have to replace it as long as tests out okay right?