hesitation, coughing when starting to move

brianp · Post by **brianp** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 7:16 pm

Over the past week, my terc has had trouble when it's cold. When starting out from a stop light, it will cough (maybe backfire?) and struggle to go. What I have to do is apply a lot more gas than I usually do, and then ease in the clutch. After driving for 30 minutes, the problem goes away. When it is like this, pressing on the gas pedal doesn't help until I let off on the clutch.

Any ideas on what to do or look at? I'm thinking the carb might be dirty (I've never cleaned it at all

), so the seafoam treatment might be coming up. any place else to look?

MootsMan · Post by **MootsMan** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:46 pm

Brian,
This is a probably a remote possibility at best, but could there be a vacuum line that has come loose or off ?? A couple of times when I was having trouble with the car running right, that was the problem.....also check the short rubber line/hose that comes out of the valve cover and attaches under the air breather assy.

MM

brianp · Post by **brianp** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:41 am

Well, I checked the hoses, they all seem to be connected. The choke plate in the carb seems pretty grimy, so I think I will do the cleaning. And, strangly enough, after playing around with it last night, the car ran perfectly this morning.

So maybe something was just stuck.

takza · Post by **takza** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 5:13 am

Your choke isn't "setting"....time for a little carb cleaner on the shaft?

brianp · Post by **brianp** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:36 am

Well, I did the seafoam down the carb and in the gas tank, which has helped a bit. It's taken most of the hesitation and coughing away, but it will still do it every so often. Oh well, it's good enough for now.

(I'm in the middle of a school term, and don't have much time to work on it)

JOE · Post by **JOE** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:43 pm

I had the same problem with my car, and eventually figured out that the gaskets at the base of my carb were leaking. To see if this is actually the problem, cover up the carb at idle with a rag and see if it still runs. If it still runs that means its getting air from someplace else, in my case it was the gaskets.

Try and see if that may be the problem?

JOE · Post by **JOE** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:44 pm

I had the same problem with my car, and eventually figured out that the gaskets at the base of my carb were leaking. To see if this is actually the problem, cover up the carb at idle with a rag and see if it still runs. If it still runs that means its getting air from someplace else, in my case it was the gaskets.

Try and see if that may be the problem?

brianp · Post by **brianp** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:54 pm

you know, actually, I did see a bit of oil or something on the side or bottom of the carb. I'll have to try that.

kingtercel · Post by **kingtercel** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:44 am

i reckon your accelerator pump in your carb is sticking, cracked or just crap, and when you force the engine as you drop the clutch, the pressure releases the pump/valve and lets it function as the pressure on the carb increases

i had a large flat spot in my acceleration(hesitation) until i rebuilt my carb; the aisan rebuild kit explains how to over come this flat spot, by just softening up the plastic cup on it.
evenif this isnt the problem, you'd be surprised how much better the car runs wit a clean bowl, jets and venturi, and its always good w/e fun!

brianp · Post by **brianp** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:17 am

Yeah, I'll try and rebuild it this summer when I have time. I tried the rag over the carb, and the engine stopped, so I guess the gaskets aren't too bad. I'm going to run another can of seafoam through when I get some more money.

I was looking at it this morning, and noticed that the air filter was dirty on the inside. It has a brownish residue on it. The outside is totally clean, except for a little dirt. Any ideas of what this is? The air cleaner lid also has a little oily (or gas) residue on it.

Here are some pictures:

I'm thinking some gas is coming back up the carb or something.

brianp · Post by **brianp** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:29 am

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 12:39 am

Gas? PCV oil? Either one is possible I suppose.
You could replace the PCV and see if it helps with that part of the issue.

Its also possible that the filter and filter cover are not sealing properly and dirt is making its way around? Thats obviously not good.
A little weather stripping put on the filter all the way around will help a great deal methinks, assuming that is part of the issue.

takza · Post by **takza** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 4:27 am

In that first pic...that's the choke plate on the left...I usually use some carb cleaner on the shafts at both sides...work them back and forth to get them loose...then a drop of lightweight oil on each end...but use only light oil....like sewing machine...3in1 oil.

Looks like backflow from the PCV valve. New valve and filter?

brianp · Post by **brianp** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:29 am

well, I just tested the PCV valve as per the service manual, and it worked the way it's supposed to. It was covered in oil though. I might just replace it anyway.

takza · Post by **takza** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:34 am

If they are loose...they are OK...I use laquer thinner to loosen up gum, etc. Should have oil in them...the PCV carries a lot of oil mist.