Hesitating trouble with my car...

[Badinfo]

Hey everyone! alright, here is yet another problem that has popped up with my 1992 300E. Sometimes when I press the pedal all the way dowon (not past the switch), my car will shift, but will just ride along as if it were in the higher gear for about 5-10 seconds, then it will suddenly start to accelerate like it should. It is not shifting during this time, because the shifts on my car are firm (I call them harsh) and noticiable, and I don't notice any more shifting. Sometimes the car will just not accelerate at all, prompting me to let of the throttle and mash again or just cope with a car that would get 0-60 in about a minute... Also, just as randomly, the car will run just fine. Any ideas as to what might be the problem?

[brianw]

In my non-mechanical advice, I had some hesitation problems, and installed a new fuel filter, and viola...hesitation gone.

Also do a search on OVP, I think may also cause some hesitation issues.

Good luck!

[Badinfo]

thanks... here something else that might fit in... my car makes this really deep throaty torquish noise when im accelerating. It sounds exactly like my mom's land rover... its not a deep exhuast note, but its coming from my cat.. could it be blocked? I thought that the 300s had dual cats, but mine feeds through a singular cat and it don't think its OE... so uhh... does it need to go?

[BongC36]

After changing my wiring harness recedntly I also suffered the same symptoms as you described. They were cured when the fault codes were reset. Check the MAF sensor too.

[Badinfo]

ill give the MAF a check too... but im not sure if I can even clear codes on my car... of even if the car puts out engine codes (Jetronic=old stuff)

[stevebfl]

A plugged cat, or one with a big chunk capable of getting sideways (and plug intermittantly) could cause both of your symptoms: lack of response and throaty intake sound.

The ones that turn sideways intermittantly can be a bugger to diagnose. We will cut the pipe right in front of the cat to view when testing concludes this as a possibility. We weld it back when all is OK.

[Behind the Star]

Your 92 300E doesnt have a MAF sensor.Some of those cars have 2 fuel pumps.Make sure they are both working.A clogged cat could definately cause the problem you are having.Install a pressure gauge in the 02 sensor port in the exaust.It should'nt go above 2 psi when the throttle is stomped.If it does,it needs to be replaced.Another possible problem is a varnished fuel distributor.If its not bad,some good fuel system cleaner could help.
Brian

[Badinfo]

hmm... thanks for all the possible explanations. From what I can tell, the clogged cat would account for both the hesitation and the noise, so I suppose I will pursue that route. Does anybody know how much it would cost to replace the cat with a 3rd party one? Im thinking a cat under $200 from flowmaster or the like. I wanted to route the exhaust to both sides of the car, so I would have 1 chrome straight tip coming out from under the left and right sides of the car. I think it would look really cool... but I don't know if there is space under the car... what do you guys think? And do you think I can do it for under $700? That was the money I had saved up to buy new rims, but I guess those will just have to wait....