cant accelerate when cold/ seems hesitant low rpm

[muffin77]

Kinda what the subject says. When i first start it up i can pretty much only idle around until warm then i can accelerate. If i try to flloor it it just pretty much cuts out. It idles rough and in low rpms( pulling out from stop or after coasting around a turn) it seems sluggish like it doesnt want to move then at 2 grand it decides to wake up... it use to be really bad but a new o2 sensor helped alot now it never really did this before just kinda slowly started

[Flatfourced]

check your basics, and do some cleaning.

Codes? http://legacycentral.org/library/literature/codes.htm

Spark plugs, fuel filter, clean the mass air flow sensor (there's cleaner at auto parts stores), and run some seafoam through the tank.

Most likely you have a vaccum leak. While at the auto parts store pick up some carb cleaner. With it idling rough spray the carb cleaner all around the engine compartment and hoses (avoid exhaust and turbo). If the car smooths out you have a vaccum leak because the engine sucks in the flameable carb cleaner instead of unmetered air. Plug the hose back on it's port or replace it.

Good luck!

[muffin77]

Vacuum line wouldnt surprise me as i used some old line just to get it running... orginally bought it was missing alot of line so i used olds ones from other vehicles in my yard just to see if the car ran... ill get a fuel filter and cleaners tomorrrow

[Legacy777]

With temperature related issues I usually suggest replacing the coolant temp sensor since it has such a drastic affect on how the engine runs.

[Flatfourced]

^^^ A coolant temp sensor is a 15 dollar piece of mind.

[muffin77]

Replaced plugs, wires, and temp sensor, now it idles great just two problems still kinda sluggish when cold and check engine light is on from start up to warm(which i have to check when i get home tonight). after it is warm it runs really really good. The other problem is sometime (according to the guage its running hot but 75% of the time i just shut off the engine coast for like 5 seconds and turn the key on the temp guage goes down to normal... the first time it happened i shut it off pulled over and noticed my top radatior hose was kinda shut and slowly going back to normal size. what im thinking for my over heating is my expension tank with the rad cap is cracked pretty bad on one side and is kinda drawing in a vaccum. is this possible?

[Flatfourced]

sounds like o2 heater circuit. o2 sensors measure air/fuel via the exhaust, and they need to be a certain temp to work proper. So they have little electric heaters that burn out over time, if it is out then your car has to naturaly warm it with exhaust.

I know all about it because i'm cheap and went with the non heated 1 wire setup for 12 bucks. I baby it till it's warm. It's a good idea anyway.

The coolant crack could be the cause of your minor overheat. Cooling systems work under pressure to keep boiling temps high. Also you are probably leaking coolant out it. I'd keep it toped off, and carry water.

You should flush your cooling system and fix that crack. Some nice flowable 2 part epoxy should fix it up, or just buy a replacement. Remember it's hard to seal a leak from the outside. It would be a good time to check the radiator hose too, if it looks rough inside would be good to replace it.

good luck.

[Legacy777]

Check the codes and see what's in there. No sense in guessing.

Yeah if you've got a crack in the cooling system, you should try and get it fixed or the part replaced.