Another Day, Another Issue

[Republic]

Just as I finally resolve my long over-heating issue, I have a new problem on the horizon.

A few days ago I noticed my car hesitating/bogging out in 4th and 5th gear when at 3000 rpm with the pedal to the floor.

With my newly found annoyance came a mandatory 2x key turn to get the car started at every given instance. This went on for a few days.

Today, I am driving home and as I get off the expressway I notice I am no longer able to push the gas pedal down any further than halfway when over 2000rpms. When I do, the car hesitates/bogs.

The problem has some how escalated to the point of hesitating in any gear when the pedal is pushed (not even) halfway to the floor at or before 2000rpms. And now there is a minimum of 3-4 turns to get her started.

Doing the cheap thing first, I removed all my spark plugs. No need for adjusting them, they are Bosch Platinums. I do notice, however, that one of my spark plugs is loose - as in way to loose. I snuggly put the plugs back in and try to take it for a test drive.

To my dismay, the battery that has shown no indication of dying out, is dead. Not completely dead, but enuff to prevent any starting. So I bust out the jumper cables.

About the fourth turn in, the car barely starts. Its coughing and choking and straining to stay alive. Then I hear this metallic grind. I kind of freak for a second, but it passed after a half-second. 5 seconds later it starts grinding again. Freaked-out, I turn of the car. A few seconds pass and the car, with the key in the "off" position, tries to start itself.

At this point I think I should rename my car "Christine".

Most likely my starter never disengaged and tried to start herself.

Any how, off to the test drive. We rode her hard and tried to duplicate the hesitation, but nothing happened. I figured the spark plug, being as loose as it was, had caused some kind of compression issue.

Unfortunately, on my way home the car started hesitating/bogging out anytime I went over 2000rpms. I pull her into the garage and turn her off. She had been running for at least the past 30 minutes and would have had enuff time to recharge her battery. No so. Dead again. Won't turn over.

So, if any of you have had the same experience - share it, let me know what you did, and what your outcome was.

thanks!

~ Justin

[hendrixvodu]

maybe your throttle cable? ....i had to replace mine when it seemed like it was lagging

[jlevie]

A fuel delivery issue (failing pump or clogged filter) is a good match for those symptoms. The fuel systems tests in the Bentley manual should reveal if that's the case. If the fuel system checks out, my next suspect would be the AFM.

If your battery is four or more years old, it may have reached the end of its useful life and no longer has its normal capacity. Or it could be that the alternator isn't working properly. Either can be tested.

[Republic]

It was the battery, running good now. However, now my fuel pump is humming. Another day, another issue. I just bought the fuel pump from someone on R3V - they claimed it was only used for a few months. So, basically, I have a 6 month old fuel pump that is on its way out with the $175 I paid for it. SOB.

[jlevie]

Check you fuel tank for a layer of sediment and rust on the bottom. That isn't an uncommon problem on a car of this age and the junk will clog the fuel filter and pump and also cause rapid wear of the pump.