I cant figure this problem out. My car runs like crap when it is first started. It will run "ok" through first, but when it shifts to second, it falls on its face. It will sputter and crap out and some times it will make a poof sound in the engine compartment. The weird thing is, when it gets warmed up, it runs great. What is the deal here??????

 

Oh yeah, the opti is fairly new. About a year old, so I dont think thats it.

 

Water pump leaking onto the opti?

 

obdi or ii? any codes? i'd look at coolant temp sensor(on water pump) or intake air temp, maybe even Mass Air sensor. just a guess with wht you've said. also check that the three grounds are good at the ignition coil bracket(tight to block and no excessive resistance)

 

I believe its obdi with the obdii connector. I dont think the water pump is driping. I have never seen any coolant on my garage floor. I was wondering about any temp sensors. I replated the IAT sensor about a year ago. How often do these go bad. I never thought about the coolant temp sensor though. Where is that at and is it hard to replace?? I think the IAT was around $10, how much is that other sensor going to run if I decide to try it. Thanks guys.

 

Also, I havent changed the plugs on it since I have had it. I have owned it for 3 years and have driven it 45,000 in those three years. The guy that owned it before said he put the Delco plats in about a year before he sold it to me. So they might have about 60,000 on them. Could old plugs and wires make a car act like that, even thought it seems to be heat related.

 

the temp sensor for the pcm is on the waterpump
http://www.carolinarodshop.com/miscserv.htm
the picture at the bottom is of the water pump and it shows where the sensor is

 

Is the coolant temp sensor hard to replace. Do you have to remove anything or can you just replace it easily and be done?

 

is the cehck engine light on?

the other thing youmight want to check is the Catlytic Converter may be clogging up, give it a few tap and see if u hear anything rattling around inside.

When my plugs where bad my car did the oposite, it would run like **** in first but once it hit second it was alot better

 

I checked the cat already. It seems to be clean and clear. Like I said, it only does this when first started. And even then, it runs somewhat ok in first but as soon as it hits second, sputter sputter sputter, then go. Its like it leans way out. Also, there is a slight kinda ticking noise that comes from the hood when it is cold. I thought maybe exhaust leak, but it goes away as soon as the car runs better. I had another guy listen to it and he said it almost sounds like a partial misfire. Is that possible.

Oh, and no SES light.

 

Bump to the Saturday crowd. Only one bump, I promise.

 

UPDATE!!! Today my car died and wouldnt start anymore. I found out why my car was running so bad.....the fuel pump took a dump on me. She runs like a champ now. WOOO HOOOOO. Oh by the way, if i ever have to change that fuel pump again, I am going to sell her. That was terrible. Oh, but the fuel gauge doesnt work now. GRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!! Any ideas why this wouldnt be working? Are there any wires or ground I forgot to hook up? The needle goes ALLLLLL the way to full and way past. Let me know guys.

 

I take it you dropped the tank? I HOPE mine goes bad again; will make it worth cutting apart my car...

 

Yeah we had to drop the tank. Are there any ground wires that need hooked to the tank or anything. I once heard the gauge will go all the way up if it isnt grounded. Does that make any sense?