Car is Spuddering

[bonnieandclyde]

when i go to take off my car has hesitation and won't go. i hit the gas and its like it wont go. i changed the fuel filter but that didnt help.
any suggestions of what it might be? could it be fuel injectors or coil packs?

[00Beast]

Plugs, wires, air filter and MAF sensor come immediately to mind, but:

• 1987-2005 Bonneville / Buick 3800 Maintenance List
  
  Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k ( Green Grease or Amsoil Grease recommended)
  Air Filter Every 15k (Amsoil EaA, Purolator PureONE)
  PCV Valve Every 30k
  MAF Sensor Element Cleaning/TB Cleaning Every 50k viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1661
  Fuel Filter Every 15-25k (Purolator, AC Delco, WIX) http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=23215
  Spark Plugs Every 30-50k (NGK TR55, AC Delco 41-101 or Autolite 605) (Never Bosch)
  Ignition Wires Every 30-50k (Napa Belden, AC Delco, Autolite Pro, NGK) (Never Taylor or Bosch)
  Oil & Filter Every 5-6k or Every 6 months (Valvoline SYNPower, Pennzoil Platinum, or Amsoil )(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO, K&N or WIX) (Never Fram) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=214
  *Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(API SM/SN rating) (WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
  Tires: Check Inflation Pressure & Visually Inspect Monthly Rotate Every 6-8,000 Miles
  Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k (Always make sure filter is changed when flushed) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=10193
  Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years (Peak or Prestone Mixes-With-Any Coolant Only) (Never Dexcool)
  Oxygen Sensor Every 80-100k (30k for non-heated) (AC Delco or Denso) (Absolutely never Bosch) viewtopic.php?f=48&t=794
  Accessory Belt Inspect every 15k, replace every 100k, or as needed
  Cabin Air Filter Inspect and Replace every 15k, or as needed in dusty conditions. (Note: 00+ Only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13626
  Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2432
  Brake Fluid Flush 3yr/50k
  Power Steering Fluid Replacement/Flush Every 100k or 5 years
  
  *Special Considerations*
  All Series II/III 3800's RPO's: L36, L26, L67 & L32, especially important on vehicles factory installed with orange Havoline Dexcool Antifreeze/Coolant: http://www.dex-cool.net/
  Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement, every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your engine oil, this happening can cause irreversible lower engine damage, requiring replacement of subject engine)
  
  Series II, Naturally Aspirated, RPO:L36:
  Upper Intake Manifold Plenum Replacement, Every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your intake manifold, possible damage to occur can be hydrolock, irreversible damage to emissions devices, misfires, etc. Most times, engine replacement is required if ignored long enough.) viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1061
  
  Series I, II, III RPO Code L67 & L32:
  Change Supercharger Oil; Every 30-50k. (Intense Racing or GM Dealer) viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1690
  Supercharger Belt; Inspect Every 15k, Replace Every 100k or as needed.

7/18/12 by 00Beast

[bonnieandclyde]

i just put in the gumout yesterday and today was the first time driving it to work.

[00Beast]

Ugh, I really ought to remove that from the list. I mean everything below that. LIM gaskets, plugs, wires, O2 sensor, etc.

[Jfridge92]

It's probably all this darn heat and humidity we've been having in GA lately

I'd start by testing your plugs, wires, and coils. There's a procedure for how to test the coils in techinfo that works pretty good. Also try cleaning your MAF. Before I had my MAF replaced, I had some stumbling issues, and until it failed completely, cleaning it had helped. I also had some stumbling at high rpm, and it was the coils (just replaced them with some L67 coils from Andrew). I'd definitely start with the basics though like the maintenance list. Are the LIM gaskets the original and are you losing any coolant?

[bonnieandclyde]

right now im going to clean the maf sensor. it looks like that it unscrews and comes out the top. also i was looking at the maf just now and the top of the sensor came off. it looks like it is held on by glue.

[bonnieandclyde]

ok i cleaned the maf sensor and it is still hesitating. vacuum lines look good. air filter is clean. What next?

[bonnieandclyde]

do you think i need to replace the pcv valve?

[00Beast]

No. You still haven't said how old your plugs and wires are. Those would be the FIRST place I would look. Then to coils, then to ICM and/or sensors and fuel system.

[bonnieandclyde]

i replaced the plugs and wires about 4 months ago

[00Beast]

What Brand and type for the plugs, and what brand wires?

[bonnieandclyde]

im not sure. i got them from autozone. a mechanic that i know put them on.

[00Beast]

Yikes. I'd inspect them WELL.

[01bonneSC]

Probably Bosch.

[00Beast]

Precisely what I was thinking. I'd go to NAPA and get a set of Beldin Premium wires, and Autolite 605 or 104 plugs, depending on your mods.

[bonnieandclyde]

yeah they are bosch wires.im not sure of the plugs. i think they were autolite double platinum. and i dont have any mods. it is bone stock. you really think that could be why i have so much hesitation? i been driving on them for about 5 months now. but you guys know what your talking about. you have had your cars longer then i have. what makes bosch wires so bad? also are the plugs i got need to be changed as well?

[01bonneSC]

GMs waste spark ignition system doesnt like Bosch products. Im williing to bet that the plugs are Bosch as well. I know you just bought the plugs/wire but the Beldin wires from NAPA and Autolight 605s would be a better place to start for us to help diag the spuddering if those dont clear it up.

[00Beast]

PLATINUM IS BAD BAD BAD on a boosted engine, or at least these boosted engines. GET THEM OUT NOW. Yes I am yelling, for a good reason.

[01bonneSC]

PLATINUM IS BAD BAD BAD on a boosted engine, or at least these boosted engines. GET THEM OUT NOW. Yes I am yelling, for a good reason.

oops missed that! yes, listen to Ed.

[bonnieandclyde]

i have autolite double platinum spark plugs. ok i just checked and i have autolite app606 plugs. when i took the one plug out from the front of the engine, the plug look kinda worn for being in there for 5 months. gray colored. but maybe thats normal. but you guys said that those plugs were bad anyways. and im running the bosch plug wires too. it sure waited a little while till it started acting up though.