Bogging/Hesitation?? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

quasar34 · 07-05-2008, 02:51 PM

Ok, so I finally got my car started again (89 trans am, 305tpi, automatic) after a month or so of sitting with a dead ignition switch (btw thanks guys for helping me out last time). When I first got the car started again it would bog/hesitate alot whenever I would accelerate (I thought the car was gunna die, I would be almost flooring it and be going nooowhere), and it would also bog when cruising anywhere in the 25-50mph range when lightly accelerating. I threw a whoooole bunch of premium in her and took her out on rt 208 for awhile and had some fun, thinking maybe condensation started to form in the tank from sitting for the previous month. After the highway drive, the car doesn't seem to bog nearly as much as it did when I first got it on the road, but its still a problem. What happens is the car bogs off the line and if I give it more gas it feels like its holding back/bogging until it hits about 2000rpm's then the car just takes off and doesn't bog. Also, when cruising (anywhere from 25-50mph) and light acceleration is given the car bogs so much that the car shakes and tosses me and my passengers back and forth until I get off the gas or until I give it half throttle or more and the car will again bog/hold back until approximately 2000rpms and then take off and not bog. Anyone know where I should start looking? I might try to take a video of it with my crappy digicam tonight to help describe the problem.

Mike Something · 07-05-2008, 04:26 PM

Try some top engine cleaner (SeaFoam)...

WildBillyT · 07-05-2008, 06:07 PM

What do the plugs look like?

crainholio · 07-05-2008, 09:16 PM

My money's on either a mouse nest in the MAF or stuck injector(s).

quasar34 · 07-07-2008, 12:35 PM

plugs are a little over a year old... haven't taken a look at them

injectors are also new ford racing 19lb., replaced within the last year.

how do I check if its the MAF? if something was wrong with it, wouldnt I throwing a code? I'll check out how the inside of it looks tonight..

quasar34 · 07-08-2008, 12:55 PM

ok so i threw in some of that Techron fuel system cleaner and took the car out on rt 208 and wasted about half a tank of gas and the hesitation and bogging doesnt seem nearly as bad as it was,it's only slightly there now..

camaro2you · 07-08-2008, 01:37 PM

Id run another bottle through the system, then do seafoam. After that change the oil and throw so new plugs in.

quasar34 · 07-08-2008, 04:18 PM

Should I drive the tank down to empty again before adding the next bottle of Techron? The bottle said treats up to 12 gallons and to add to an almost empty tank then fill up.. I still have a half tank left so im guessing wait till I am almost empty again and then repeat the process, since I don't want too much of it in there at the same time..

Also, I've tried looking up how to use Seafoam but there are a lot of conflicting methods on how to 'properly' use it.. Any suggestions on that? One thing I heard was that once it's added to the system, drive approximately 10 miles then do an oil change because it thins out your oil so much..

sweetbmxrider · 07-08-2008, 04:31 PM

you can add seafoam three different ways. in the crankcase, which is what you are referring to about changing the oil, in the gas tank, which cleans the entire fuel system, and through the brake booster vacuum line, which cleans the top of the engine. i only did the second two since my oil was rather new. when i am near due for an oil change, i'll throw some in there and change it after a couple days.

search the forum for seafoam, some good info on how to do it!

camaro2you · 07-08-2008, 04:34 PM

I would personaly stay away from the crankcase method as it will loosen to much grim if you have a high milage motor. The only way ive ever used it is through the throttle body or brake booster vacuum line but the gas tank will be good along with the top engine route.

Tru2Chevy · 07-08-2008, 04:59 PM

Seafoam FTW. That should definitely help clear out any junk. Skip the second bottle of Techron. Go get two cans of Seafoam. When your current tank is almost empty, go to fill it up, but but 1 whole can of Seafoam in the gas tank before you start pumping the fuel. Run the second can through the top end of the motor (brake booster line) following the directions on the can.

- Justin

quasar34 · 07-08-2008, 06:01 PM

Ok, so I'll skip the second bottle of Techron... So run the gas down, put a whole bottle of Seafoam in the tank at the pump before I fill it up.. Now should I drive the car back to my house (literally 3 blocks away) and do the next can through the brake booster line right away or should I drive the car for awhile before adding the second can of Seafoam through the brake booster line? (If i should drive for awhile, how long should i drive it before adding the second can through the brake booster line?)

Tru2Chevy · 07-08-2008, 06:42 PM

Go ahead and do the second bottle in the top end right away. I think they tell you to slowly pour about 1/3 of the can into the brake booster line while the engine is running (they recommend that the engine already be warmed up). Once you have done that, quickly pour another 1/3 of the can in, stalling the engine. Turn the key off (so you don't have your accessories running) and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Remember to plug the booster line back in, then start it up and start driving it around. Prepare for a large amount of light colored smoke to be coming from the tailpipe for a few miles - that means it's working.

I just Seafoamed my Jeep today and had fun watching my neighbors look at me strange as I was driving through the neighborhood blowing smoke all over the place.

- Justin

crainholio · 07-09-2008, 02:02 PM

It's good practice to change the engine oil and filter after a good Seafoaming.

quasar34 · 07-09-2008, 03:48 PM

Ok so hopefully if I get out of work on time today I can head over to autozone and pickup the 2 bottles of Seafoam, plugs , oil and a filter.. Two questions: After I put the first bottle of Seafoam in, should I drive the car for like 20 mins or should I immediately bring it to my house and do the second bottle of Seafoam through the brake booster line? How long after the Seafoaming should I change the oil and plugs? (I'm just about due to change both)

sweetbmxrider · 07-09-2008, 03:55 PM

just ride it around till the smoke stops coming out then let it cool off before changing the oil or plugs. its not a huge deal, but pour it in your tank, then fill up, then run it through the booster line. i think i used a small funnel when i poured it in. pour slowly so you don't stall the motor until you did almost half the can, then pour it in and try to stall it. if not, turn the key off. wait about an hour, drive it hard, and enjoy