car boggs down every once in a while

[ZXo2]

i just have a quick question. every once in a while when i go to start moving from a complete stop my car really boggs down for a few seconds and then takes right off. also, i'm guessing this accompanies the problem, my dad and i noticed we could really smell gas when i was idling in his driveway last night. i'm not leaking any gas and i was going to put some fuel injector cleaner through the system tomorrow. what do you guys think is causing that problem because i have no idea.



oh and btw, it sucks being demoted back to newbie :confused:

[gunman_sr5]

Check the connections at the fuel filter. We had this problem with the dirt car the beginning of last season. It would bog from time to time with a strong fuel smell, but no visible leak. Under load with the upper clip of it would spray fuel. Thats the only thing I can think of without a CEL. Uless an injector O ring rotted out, but I doubt thats the case.

[Denny10]

Mine is doing the same thing boug down I mean I have changed and or checked everything to no avail????

[ZXo2]

i checked my plugs and stuff but nothing, the fuel filter has been replaced twice in the past year (i did it once because of the mileage and a mechanic did it when he was trying to figure out what happened last time it died) i'll take a look at it, but i don't think that should be the problem.

[j0hnZ]

Check you pcv valve hose...from the front to the back make sure its in good shape.

[corby_baby]

dude im having this same exact problem. i seirously hope you figure something out.

[ZXo2]

i'll do that, though the pcv valve and hose were just replaced last time this damn car broke down

[mechtech]

Vacuum and intake connections must be perfect.
You fuel pump may be getting weak.
This could be SO many things that are wrong, though.
Really, just about anything.

[silent_1999]

carbon, maybe. try seafoam.

[ZXo2]

pcv looks fine, and i put fuel injector cleaner in it today. hopefully that works... for at least the next 2 months (that's all i need out of it)

[j0hnZ]

It could be so many things...is it throwing a code?

[ZXo2]

there is no cel on but i haven't hooked it up and checked anyway.

[00EscortZx2]

lol wow I'm having this problem too. I think mines just intake leaks though. I've found the most common problems with low idle is vacuum and PVC (Had both). If that doesn't work move on to the filter, then the pump. From there I guess I would check spark.

[ZX2 Sleeper]

Check your PCV hose again guys! If you replaced it already, theres no reason why it won't go bad again. I have had to change mine twice. On the old teamzx2.com, some one told me to use fuel line hosing and make sure it doesn't get kinked and you will be fine.

[j0hnZ]

As a useful mod I would actually suggest the fuel line like he says but put in a clear fuel filter in-line to get ride of that block back of crap that is forced into the intake manifold. I found a nice write up on some mustang board, I'll try and find it.

[ZX2 Sleeper]

would that filter cause a restriction in vacuum?

[j0hnZ]

I don't see how it would. You could put a cork in the bottom of the intake manifold and let the pcv valve drip to the ground but its not as environmentally friendly as a fuel filter inline.

[ZXo2]

i checked my pcv hose, from a laymen it looks fine, although there is like foam around the entire thing (i'm pretty sure it was my pcv... i remind you i know nothing about engines) it was connected, from what i could see, just fine. the filter was changed back in january. i suppose my pump could be going, would that just randomly go out??? btw it seems to happen more often when it is chilly out (upstate NY). i'm going to clean out my air filter tomorrow morning (K&N), maybe it's just not getting enough air. if that doesn't work i think i'm going to try to get it into a mechanic because i'm heading north about 200 miles this weekend and i need my car to get me to and from. i'll let you guys all know what it is that is causing this

[Jaybird]

Possibly a bad injector? Do you ever have trouble starting it up?

[ZXo2]

no trouble starting it. but i put fuel injector cleaner in it yesterday. someone told me to clean the IAC... where and how is this done?

[ZX2 Sleeper]

Go to a parts store and buy Mass air flow cleaner and the spray the MAF and also the IAC which is before the MAF on 98-early 99 zx2s... If you have a 99.5-2003 your IAC is integrated into the MAF.

[j0hnZ]

i checked my pcv hose, from a laymen it looks fine, although there is like foam around the entire thing (i'm pretty sure it was my pcv... i remind you i know nothing about engines) it was connected, from what i could see, just fine. the filter was changed back in january. i suppose my pump could be going, would that just randomly go out??? btw it seems to happen more often when it is chilly out (upstate NY). i'm going to clean out my air filter tomorrow morning (K&N), maybe it's just not getting enough air. if that doesn't work i think i'm going to try to get it into a mechanic because i'm heading north about 200 miles this weekend and i need my car to get me to and from. i'll let you guys all know what it is that is causing this

The middle section is a metal tube and should be fine its the end plastic elbows that usually break. The pcv itself can be cleaned up or bought cheap.