Engine hesitating

andy

Well heres my problem.  The past 2 days as I drive into work, as I accelerate to merge on the turnpike, my engine sputters, or hesitates, but this only happens if there is a load on the engine.  If I shift into neutral and rev it, it doesn't sputter.  It only does it when its in gear.  Also after a minute or 2 on the freeway, I try to replicate it and it doesn't happen.  So basically it only does this when I accelerate onto the freeway in the morning after its been sitting all night.  I even let my car warm up this morning thinking maybe it was just the cold damp weather, but it still did the same thing.  And before you fill my thread with search posts, I already did thanks.  I'm stumped so any ideas you guys may have please feel free to present them.

.what gear and rpm's are you at?

.Mostly in 3rd and 4th gear, however this morning it did it in 1st through 4th as I was leaving the toll booth

It seems to start around 2500 to 3000 rpm

.when did u have your last tune up?   Change plugs wires rotor?

.humph... i think i know what you mean, happens to me too sometimes...  but there are many other circumstances... whenever i enter the freeway (rarely) i downshift to make sure the rpm's are high enough, especially in heavy traffic so i can quick get in.

.Its probably been about 25k

.sounds like you need to change your fuel filter, thats what i need to do, or exhaust leak...check your intake filter to see if its on all the way

.This is dumb, I just got back from lunch and my car didn't do it once

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Originally Posted by skinnyjdawgThis is dumb, I just got back from lunch and my car didn't do it once

It sounds like a simple problem you have hacing that can be fixed easily.

First off clean or replace your airfilter. Also if you havent done in teh last 15,000 miles replace your fuel filter.

Little things like that can cause problems like your having.

.Thanks for the replies.  It looks like I gotta few things I need to do.  I'm going to replace my fuel filter maybe put in some injector cleaner, replace my plugs, wires, distributor and rotor.  I'll also clean my air filter.  Any suggestions on what I can use to clean the filter on an aem cold-air?

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Originally Posted by skinnyjdawgThanks for the replies.  It looks like I gotta few things I need to do.  I'm going to replace my fuel filter maybe put in some injector cleaner, replace my plugs, wires, distributor and rotor.  I'll also clean my air filter.  Any suggestions on what I can use to clean the filter on an aem cold-air?

Onyl do one thing at a time, This way you can rule out any other factors. Plus so you dontn waste money on parts you dont need to replace.

.i just wash my kamp;n filter with warm water and a shop vac.  then i stick a hair dryer in it and let it dry for about 10 minutes.  make sure not to get it too hot.  after im done hair drying it i usually let it sit for another half hour or so to make sure its all dry (go eat lunch while its drying or something).  it works great.

.also. the problem your having sounds like a similar problem i had with my old civ.  it was the fuel filter for me. but if you havent done all the regular tune up things in a while (filter, oil, plugs,wires, fuel filter) then it is probly a good idea to do it all anyways.  also changing the oil fixes alot of things.

.don't you have to re-oil the filter?

.it recomended. but i never do and i havent had a problem in my opionion...oil collects more dirt and dust.  less dirt and dust. less cleaning.  i dont know maybe someone else can answer this one.