Hesitation at take off

[BPopilek]

Like the title says, I've recently been having a big issue with hesitation and lag when taking off from a dead stop. I've also noticed a little bit of a shiver / miss coming from the engine while at a stop. It has just started happening on really hot days. We've had 2 weeks of 90+ degree temps here in MI. When the outside temperature cools down, it runs fine again. But as it gets hotter out, the lag gets worse. I am not getting any engine codes, so my thought of a misfire doesn't seem to be panning out. Does anyone out there have any ideas of what I should be looking at? Thanks!

 

[AZSCTACO]

My first guess would be looking at getting your throttle body cleaned and also cleaning your Mass Air Flow sensor. What air filter are you using?

 

[BPopilek]

My first guess would be looking at getting your throttle body cleaned and also cleaning your Mass Air Flow sensor. What air filter are you using?

I have a cold air intake with a K&N filter. The filter was just replaced about 2 months ago because the generic one that the kit came with was shot. We cleaned the MAF sensor at that time. I have not cleaned the throttle body though. I was noticing today that at idle, with it in gear, it was still shuttering and at only 70 degrees out. Could the new filter be starving it for air? It's wider than the original one that came with my kit, but it is about 2" shorter. Just frustrating that there aren't any codes to help diagnose it! I will try to clean the throttle body later today to see if that helps. Thanks for the reply.

 

[bacin87]

My 2007 in the shop for the same thing luckily I have a extended warranty (CarMax Maxcare for the win) They believe its a misfire and just like you I don't have an engine code. when I get my car back on Monday I tell you what they did.

 

[Erik G]

Oiled K&N filter? Ditch it, get a dry filter, and clean your MAF sensor again.

 

[FuzzyChopz]

I second Eric G, the oil from the k&n filter can get stuck and mess up the maf. I would get rid of it, get a dry one and re clean the maf. Also another problem could be the aftermarket intake. I had one and ditched it after reading how many problems they cause. They may sound and look cool but they actually hurt the performance of the motor unless you have it tuned.

 

[Gurrzt]

If you do not over oil, these filters are just fine, the trick is to put a LIGHT bead of oil on the top of the pleat, you oil from the bottom of the filter up. I have been using a Holly oiled filter on Sara (2001 Z28) for over 14 years, SHE LOVES IT, I lube her up and then go for it

 

[AppocAlexx]

x2 on not over oiling your air filter. The oiled filters have dyno proven to produce more HP and better fuel gains than most if not all of the dry filters.

@BPopilek When was the last time you had a full tune up? Plugs, wires, fuel system clean? Sometimes its the simple things, also could be a small vacuum leak somewhere. Check fuel pressure if you have the gauge, if not then they are cheap.

 

[BPopilek]

Sorry for the delay in replying, things have been crazy here lately! I did go pick up some MAF cleaner and tried cleaning it on the off chance the oil from the filter was the problem, however that made no difference. I also cleaned the throttle body at the same time.

@AppocAlexx I have owned this truck for just over two years, and I replaced all of the plugs about a year and a half ago. I have also ran a couple different brands of fuel injector cleaner through it over the past month, with no noticeable improvement. As for the wires, I have the coil over plug, so I haven't changed anything there. I did talk to one guy who thought it could be a coil going bad, and firing intermittently.

I just still find it weird that it only acts this way during take off and not while actually driving down the road. I took the boat out yesterday, and trying to pull it from a dead stop was horrible! The truck acted like a big ole turd and it was more apparent than ever. I can get a fuel pressure gauge if you guys think that could be the culprit. I also can't remember if I have changed the fuel filter recently or not, so I can check that too. Are there any other suggestions? I am still getting zero codes on the scan tool. I will attach a couple of screen shots of what I was getting with one app while at idle and while driving concerning the MAF sensor. Thanks for all the tips so far!

 

[Erik G]

does your scan tool show "pending codes"? Or show you a sensor thats not turned on or "not ready"? it almost sounds like it's pulling timing because of a knock sensor or after cat sensor