Engine hesitates when cold...

snicholmeister · Post by **snicholmeister** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:12 pm

Had this problem since I got the thing - basically the engine doesn't seem to work in a smooth way when the car is cold. I've done a quick search but having trouble thinking of the wording to use. It sort of hesitates and I accelerate more and it goes after a moment or two.

Does not happen after it warms up, which doesn't take long. I thought it may just be an idiosyncrasy of FTOs but no other car I have had does anything like it. We're talking fairly low RPM here - no more than 4,000. Idles fine, no other complaints apart from a friend who says the tappets are loud (unsure, will check at 100k service).

Also I am led to believe I am one of the lucky people who have a GPX with an LSD. I understand the oil needs replacing every 80k but as there's no log book I don't know if it's been done. Also don't know what type of oil to use. I've seen another thread on the subject but it doesn't really have any conclusion. Also I don't really want to use any 'awesome' oil, I'd much rather stick to manufacturer specifications (to the letter, ideally).

Any opinions on either of the above??

Post by **vipfto** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:08 pm

that will be either fuel or spark
so how old are your leads/plugs/fuel pump and or filter

snicholmeister · Post by **snicholmeister** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:11 pm

vipfto wrote:that will be either fuel or spark
so how old are your leads/plugs/fuel pump and or filter

Unknown. Guess I've got more stuff to add to the list for 100k service

Post by **aza013** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:23 pm

Sounds like it's running rich at startup as this will make it bog down when you give it a little tap with the right foot. Has it got a piggyback ecu?

snicholmeister · Post by **snicholmeister** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:35 pm

aza013 wrote:Sounds like it's running rich at startupBasvthis will make it bog down when you give it a little tap with the right foot. Has it got a piggyback ecu?

Erm.. no piggyback ECU as far as I know, just a Field SFC VTEC YO!!!!!/MIVEC Controller. Also says "8 Point Fuel Controll" on it (double-l and all). I assume it piggybacks off the stock ECU - dunno if it counts though.

The one time I unplugged it and ran the car it sounded like the timing was off or something. I plugged it back in quick smart, runs well now.

FTEvolution · Post by **FTEvolution** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:33 am

snicholmeister wrote:
vipfto wrote:that will be either fuel or spark
so how old are your leads/plugs/fuel pump and or filter
Unknown. Guess I've got more stuff to add to the list for 100k service

Your 100k service would include those anyways. Have you checked air-flow meter (if it's non mivec) because those can cause issues like that if clogged. What about checking all of the many vacuum lines around the engine? If any of those are split the same can occur (I had that issue on my old skool VG20ET Maxima).

Also, as said above it could just be running far too rich. When it does it do you get small clouds of black smoke out the exhaust?

snicholmeister · Post by **snicholmeister** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:25 am

Not as far as I've noticed. I'll have a check of the lines around the engine for any damage. It's Mivec btw.

Also, any opinions on the gearbox oil?

FTEvolution · Post by **FTEvolution** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:15 pm

snicholmeister wrote:Also, any opinions on the gearbox oil?

Nah, I drive a Tip XD

snicholmeister · Post by **snicholmeister** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:44 pm

Hah, fair enough.

I've been wondering about the Field Mivec controller though - what exactly does it do? Good or bad? Anyone got any experience?

A friend suggested that I unplug it and then run the car for a while to see if it returns to normal. He said the ECU should 'learn' based on the conditions. If it is making it run rich then I'd prefer to return it to stock (better economy, better reliability).

Dan25 · Post by **Dan25** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:43 pm

Hey snicholmeister, I have EXACTLY the same problem when cold mate.

I've asked several different mechanics and none of them can give me the answer.

I've basically just given up and accepted it as part of owning my car and I just let it warm up for 5 minutes first.

silverGPX · Post by **silverGPX** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:46 am

Mine does it for about a minute when cold. I think its normal. i wouldnt be worried. An engine is an engine.

snicholmeister · Post by **snicholmeister** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:41 am

I'm going to speak to my mech, I want to investigate it a bit further. I've owned a few different cars, many with high compression engines (Integra, MR2 etc) and never had an issue like this. It just doesn't seem normal to me

Glad to hear I'm not the only one though.

vendall · Post by **vendall** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:59 pm

I've got the exact same issue on mine. It really only happens when the engine is very cold; after about 1km of driving it goes away. I was considering changing my O2 sensor because of it... but I'm not sure if that's the cause.

Cheers,
Alex.