General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Very difficult to explain...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 04:16 PM
  #1  
Alex41's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville TN
Default Very difficult to explain...

so I'll try my best. I have a 00 TA that has been slightly upgraded with 3.42 gears, built trans w/2300-2800 Dacco stall, K&N filter, gutted cats, flowmaster muffler, supporting tune, and a bunch of suspension stuff.

My issue is when I roll into the gas in the mornings to just get into traffic it falls on its face. There isn't a miss nor are there any lights but it feels like fuel cut. I press on the gas and it just sputters trying to get up to speed. There are times when it warms up even that I will kick it down into passing gear and it will go fine but still studder while pulling, almost like its loosing signal from something and coming back on line. It really doesn't pull very well for what's been done to top it all off.

I have already replaced spark plugs, checked fuel pressure while driving and replicating the issue, used a known good TPS sensor with no change, replaced broken pcv hoses, replaced fuel filter, and a bunch of other checking.

It hasn't thrown any codes for anything but the tuner took some misfire parameters out in preperation for a cam swap soon. I'm at my wits end here and just can't find the problem. The other issue is I know I need to data log it but there is no one close to me that can do it and I can't drive it distances to go to my tuner since all of this crap knocks my car out of 4th gear once I hit closed loop. Please help.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 08:35 PM
  #2  
joecar's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 17
From: So.Cal.
Default

Maybe clean the MAF sensor.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 08:57 PM
  #3  
poseidon's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default

My car also does this sometime when i try and give it a little gas. I just mess with the tps wires and then it stops. In your case idk.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:28 PM
  #4  
Alex41's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville TN
Default

Forgot to mention that I already de-screened the MAF.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 09:31 AM
  #5  
LS6427's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 13
From: South Florida
Default

If you're not going WOT when this stumbling happens, its not the MAF. But depending on your coolant temp the MAF can be in play while you're getting these issues. So defintely clean it.

Other than that, you need a scan to see how your 02 sensors are switching while the engine is running. A failing 02 sensor will cause partial throttle stumbling and power loss. And NO....you will not get a code/SES light until its totally failed or the engine is running terrible.

Have you been using more gas lately?

.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 10:24 AM
  #6  
samson_420's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 0
From: Narnia
Default

Originally Posted by Alex41
Forgot to mention that I already de-screened the MAF.


Hmmmm, try to swap to a OEM MAF, maybe. . . .
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 12:10 PM
  #7  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by Alex41
Forgot to mention that I already de-screened the MAF.
Maybe you damaged the MAF when you descreened it? Did you clean it also? This sounds like a classic MAF problem. Not sure if the extra fraction of a horsepower is worth risking a $350 sensor - its definitely not on my car!

Can you scan the MAF to see what kind of readings are coming from it?

What kind of air filter are you running?
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 06:30 PM
  #8  
Alex41's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville TN
Default

Also forgot that I put new front O2 sensors in it. It has a K&N filter.

I know this problem persisted when the previous owner had it so it's not me damaging the MAF. It may have been bad before but I didn't do that to it.

I have only had the car for about 2 months so I really don't know if fuel consumption is up or down but I do know my gauge is very irratic and wrong. It was on E and telling me to check gauges and all I could put in was 11.7 gallons.

My biggest issue is that I can't scan the computer. I don't have anyone close to me with the software and I can't go to my tuner since he's on the other side of town and I loose 4th in closed loop. It didn't do that with the old trans but this new "built" one I bought seems to go away but will get 4th back after the car sits long enough to return to open loop.

I'm really about to end it all with this car and light the pig on fire here. I'm in a catch 22 where I know I need a scanner to read real time parameters but I can't get there to have it done. FML
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 06:37 PM
  #9  
LS6427's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 13
From: South Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Alex41
Also forgot that I put new front O2 sensors in it. It has a K&N filter.

I know this problem persisted when the previous owner had it so it's not me damaging the MAF. It may have been bad before but I didn't do that to it.

I have only had the car for about 2 months so I really don't know if fuel consumption is up or down but I do know my gauge is very irratic and wrong. It was on E and telling me to check gauges and all I could put in was 11.7 gallons.

My biggest issue is that I can't scan the computer. I don't have anyone close to me with the software and I can't go to my tuner since he's on the other side of town and I loose 4th in closed loop. It didn't do that with the old trans but this new "built" one I bought seems to go away but will get 4th back after the car sits long enough to return to open loop.

I'm really about to end it all with this car and light the pig on fire here. I'm in a catch 22 where I know I need a scanner to read real time parameters but I can't get there to have it done. FML
K&N air filters are garbage dude. Get a paper filter. Often, actually all the damn time, the oil from the filter gets on the MAF and that makes the engine ran like ****. Try spraying the MAF with MAF cleaner and go for a drive. Again though, the MAF is only used for cold start and WOT runs. But do it anyway. And throw that K&N in the garbage. Paper filters cannot be beat.

.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 10:52 PM
  #10  
bobbyd's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Default

clean maf
clean throttle body
check spark plugs/wires make sure they arent loose.
does this happend all the time at a certain speed/gear? if so possibly a dead spot that i believe all a4 cars face.

my SS has a dead spot between 50-60mph. it will basictly feel like it losses power/falls on its face a little. if you go wot though it runs perfect
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 10:53 PM
  #11  
bobbyd's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Default

you can also check the pcv valve and hose to make sure you dont have a vacuum leak
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2011 | 01:10 AM
  #12  
Alex41's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville TN
Default

Did a ton today. We swapped in a known good MAF, removed the intake to see if the gaskets were bad (they were flat), cleaned the throtle body, removed the already turned off EGR pipe from the intake, and no change. I already replaced cracked pcv hosing and cleaned up that system.

Typicaly the serious studdering will happen in the morning when I take my son to school. It's not really cold here in San Antonio so weather isn't a factor. What happens is no matter how much I press the gas it revs up about 300 RPM's then falls flat on its face like it goes off line. The last time it did that it didn't clear up till I got it completely warm. That was a very isolated incedent.

What is really going on is while powering through gears it will just skip or stop for a split second on top of the fact that it just feels like its going up hill in 100 mile an hour head wind.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2011 | 02:08 AM
  #13  
bobbyd's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Default

Originally Posted by Alex41
Did a ton today. We swapped in a known good MAF, removed the intake to see if the gaskets were bad (they were flat), cleaned the throtle body, removed the already turned off EGR pipe from the intake, and no change. I already replaced cracked pcv hosing and cleaned up that system.

Typicaly the serious studdering will happen in the morning when I take my son to school. It's not really cold here in San Antonio so weather isn't a factor. What happens is no matter how much I press the gas it revs up about 300 RPM's then falls flat on its face like it goes off line. The last time it did that it didn't clear up till I got it completely warm. That was a very isolated incedent.

What is really going on is while powering through gears it will just skip or stop for a split second on top of the fact that it just feels like its going up hill in 100 mile an hour head wind.
next check the spark plugs and wires. also replace the fuel filer it might be clogged.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2011 | 03:26 AM
  #14  
Duffster's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (103)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 1
From: South of West Point Iowa
Default

borrow/use HP Tuners and monitor the reactions. Best if you have a wideband bung added.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2011 | 08:30 AM
  #15  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by bobbyd
next check the spark plugs and wires. also replace the fuel filer it might be clogged.
+1 on the fuel filter. It sounds like the fuel is getting cut off. (When the MAF is dirty, the PCM will command this to happen but since you switched the MAF, you can probably rule this out.)
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2011 | 09:56 PM
  #16  
Alex41's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville TN
Default

Fuel filter is new.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2011 | 11:13 PM
  #17  
1996firebirdformula's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
From: Seymour, Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by bobbyd
next check the spark plugs and wires. also replace the fuel filer it might be clogged.
Yeah could be fouled plug or wire messed up.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2011 | 10:29 AM
  #18  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by Alex41
Fuel filter is new.
Maybe have your pressure checked and see if the fuel pump is doing its job.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2011 | 02:02 PM
  #19  
Alex41's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville TN
Default

Used a fuel gauge and drove it while it was taped to the windshield. I had 60+ PSI while driving and when it did its thing, it only fell 4-5 PSI.

Today I finally installed my Pacesetter headers and ORY. I made my own catback system out of the left over piping and made something that resembles the Loudmouth system. I have 2 bullets in the back right before my tips.

We talked about the possibility of the gutted cats causing some reversion in the exhaust Saturday night so I figured it was time to go ahead with the header swap that's been waiting for 3 weeks.

Sadly, that didn't fix it either. When I took the plugs out I did notice they were kinda powdery white so I'm thinking I'm getting starved for fuel. What would cause good PSI at the rail but poor fuel delivery to the engine?
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2011 | 04:38 PM
  #20  
ccrook19's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Alex41
What would cause good PSI at the rail but poor fuel delivery to the engine?

fuel injectors possibly pluged up??
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:49 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE