Trouble accelerating?

[Sweet Jester]

Ok, first of all I AM going to contact the dealership about this but if you have any experience with this I would appreciate hearing about it before hand

I bought my car about 3 weeks ago, a gorgeous little '07 Speed3. 3 times now I have noticed that when I am accelerating from 1st gear the car, well it almost hiccups?! Like its not getting enough gas or as if I am not giving enough clutch (but I am). Any ideas?

Thanks!
~SJ

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Might be a couple of things:
- Fuel pump is either weak, going out, or bad altogether causing the ECU to cut power to save the motor (ie boost and/or fuel cut). Do you have a DashHawk or something to monitor fuel pressure?
- Bad gas (too low of octane or quality) could be causing knock, which would cause the ECU to retard timing to save the motor (Knock Retard).
- Some sort of other fuel/ignition issue
- Cold weather causing boost creep above programed levels, causing the ECU to cut boost/fuel

I would suggest buying (or just borrowing) a DashHawk if you don't have one already and monitor/log fuel pressure, boost, and knock retard at least. As a general rule, fuel pressure shouldn't dip below 1600psi (I believe that's the correct number) at WOT. You should also not be getting knock retard at WOT (some KR while driving around normally is perfectly normal). I think boost cut is around 17psi on a stock car, so if you are going above that it might be cutting.

Hope you figure it out...issues like that can drive you crazy, especially with a new car. Take care!

 

[matsuda]

Ok, first of all I AM going to contact the dealership about this but if you have any experience with this I would appreciate hearing about it before hand

I bought my car about 3 weeks ago, a gorgeous little '07 Speed3. 3 times now I have noticed that when I am accelerating from 1st gear the car, well it almost hiccups?! Like its not getting enough gas or as if I am not giving enough clutch (but I am). Any ideas?

Thanks!
~SJ

Are you talking about getting the car rolling from a complete stop?
If not, at what RPM does the problem occur?

 

[Bravnik]

There is a TSB for the 2007 fuel pump which you might want to check and see if your VIN falls into the range. Also I would check every hose clamp to ensure they are tight. Stock hose clamps have a bad habit of getting lose. It's should be part of your checks to ensure they are always tight - or replace with T-Clamps.

There are 5 to check. The one on the Turbo Inlet and the 4 on the inlet/outlets going to the TMIC (Turbo > TMIC > Throttle Body). Be sure to put a wrench on them and not just wiggle. Make sure they are tight.

Those are the big things to check and I would bet one or both are your issue. Stock you should not stutter.

And listen to Matsuda - He is probably one of the smartest on this forum.

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

There is a TSB for the 2007 fuel pump which you might want to check and see if your VIN falls into the range. Stock you should not stutter.

When you go to the dealer, make sure you describe it as unpredictable power levels that are making passing dangerous because you never know what to expect. The way the TSB is written, it is not an automatic replacement. This wording makes it a safety issue on record and if you qualify they won't turn you down.
I got this fix and it did help. They replace the pump and update the programming.

 

[coololddude]

Be sure to keep copies to record the problem. (Even if it only takes them 5 min. to fix it)

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

Ummm this might be silly to ask but is traction control turned off?

 

[Sweet Jester]

Thank you for all of your replies. Being on this forum is so helpful!

I talked to the dealer before seeing your replies, they told me that since fuel issues can be difficult to diagnose they asked (before they look at it) that I fuel up from an empty tank at Chevron (they recommended it as the best gas for me to get here on Vancouver Island). My room mate has always had better luck with this as well so we'll see.. They also suggested I put an additive into the tank to get rid of possible water in the engine since the car sat for a number of months on the lot (I bought it a month ago today).

Hmmm so I will try that and in the meantime will check out the options you suggested.

It always happens from a complete stop and while I am still in first gear. It really feels like the clutch has slipped but I know I havent dont anything. Hmm. The traction control is on..? That wouldnt cause this would it?

Meanwhile I am checking out each of the possibilities that you mentioned and again thanks for taking to time to post a reply.

~SJ

 

[hugador]

If this is always happening like you say then take it to the dealer. Find an empty road and from a completel stop put it in 1st gear and rev up to around 2k and keep it there. Let go of the clutch slowly as if you are learning how to drive manual again. Do this a couple times to see if you still having this problem. If not then...........lol.