Hesitation while accelerating in cold weather

[solaraqueen]

u may not have put the plug wire in far enough, try & remove & install again...

[HydroponiK]

I did not change the wires, but they are only about 50k old. I'm thinking it's either a bad plug, or the coil has gone bad. Unfortunately it's been so cold outside that I've been putting off working on this.

I guess the first and easiest thing to do is run some fuel injector cleaner to see if it clears up. If not, then I suppose I can exchange that plug. If both fails, I assume it will have to be the coil.

If I do replace the coil, I would only have to work on the front of the engine, correct?

[TheGreenDutch]

change spark plugs + wires...

[HydroponiK]

Weird things have been happening since I've replaced these plugs.

After disconnecting the battery, the CEL has not come back, however the engine has a weird "hiccup" when then engine is cold. It's very noticeable when the gear is in Drive, but I'm stopped on the brakes. Not sure how to describe it, but it feels like the engine is randomly "twitching" but after the engine is warm, these go away.

I'm also noticing a burning smell inside the cabin when stopped. I noticed some white smoke rising around the intake manifold area.

Curious if anyone knows why this is happening? I think it may be time to finally retire this car after the winter is over...

[highmileage02sleConv]

Hate to break to you guys but your way off! Im experiencing the same problem with my 02 conv (172k), its the EVAP system, how do I know this? I have a trusted mechanic who went through the engine top to bottom. According to him this a COMMON V6 problem, as is the burning smell. The burning smell is caused by a leaking valve cover.
The below is what i remember my mechanic explaining to me about these issues:
Based on my experience With the EVAP system, the first big thing to go is the Brake Master ($$$), mine was replaced at 156K, so it may be that as these V6's have the worst designed Vac system! Its a single system! As stated in some of my posts about the EVAP, its hit and miss. My suggestion is until you can figure what part of the EVAP system is causing it, make sure you warm the car up for 10 minutes when the outside temp is below freezing.
Now as for the burning smell, these two issues are related! Make sure you get the valve head that is leaking the most done first! Its not a cheap job. My suggestion is just run the air on recirculate. How are these two issues related? overtime the leaking oil makes its way into the EVAP system and gunks up everything including the wiring, as for the rest of that have a mechanic explain it to you, it get pretty complex!

I see your in NJ where do you have yours serviced?

[TheGreenDutch]

i had the same problem. There was an exposed wire from the coil pack touching the motor. Check all those wires out. This had to do with the installation of my alarm. So far by taping up that part of the wire I haven't had that happen again...yet anyway.

That crap bugged me too...I did seafoam...changed the plugs + wires only to find an exposed wire...lol....either way change your plugs and plug wires...they go bad over time...

[HydroponiK]

Well I never figured out what was causing the stuttering when the engine was cold. I traded it in for a Genesis Coupe 3.8 track.

Considering I had 145k miles and the condition my car was in (this problem, valve cover gasket leak, hole in flex exhaust, pealing paint, sticking calipers, major accident on carfax) they still gave me $3300 for the trade in.

I enjoyed this car while it lasted, but it just wasn't worth fixing all of the issues that were coming up. Perhaps if I wasn't as careless with maintenance when I was younger, it would have lasted longer, but you live and you learn.

[SubjectAlpha]

I had a similar issue back in February. They originally thought it was spark plug wires but it turned out to be a bad ignition coil. You might have yours checked. Once they replaced it it ran like new again. Not a terribly expensive repair, either.

I have a 2000 SE V6 with 83K miles.

[ThurzNite]

My checklist:
PVC and hoses clogged
fuel injector (your misfire code?)
fuel filter (as stated above, fuel is important component, make sure the fuel system is running right)
Spark, coil, wires (as stated above.)

Or, it could be something really funky:
Throttle position sensor
mass air flow sensor (common, clean it with mass air flow sensor cleaner)
air temp sensor (related to cold weather?)
fuel pump?

Wow, G Coupe 3.8 track, it's really really nice!!! Fit and finish, especially dash buttons, leave a lot to be desired. Seat ergonomics could be better. Not much more complaints for a spirited daily driver in stock form! Nice upgrade.

Dr J