Rubik

This happened once during my drive yesterday and once during a drive several months ago. No CEL in both cases.

I pull from 1st to 2nd and notice sluggish torque response; engine is revving also sluggish if I remember right. Go into 3rd, no problem. Stop at the light. Start over when it turns green and no problem. Gone completely.

Here are some suspects:
1. Fuel pump/filter?
2. Faulty coil/plug?
3. [Out there but...] Ignition switch?

I don't know what else it can be? Anyone have similar experience? I've read some posts about bad coil but they always got CEL.

DBJoe996

My car pulls solidly all the time in any gear at any speed and right up through the rpm range. Is it like it is bogging down and just not responding to the throttle? You say the engine is revving normally. Could it be clutch slippage, or maybe the dual mass flywheel is sticking, or flaky CPS? Don't know what else to suggest...do you have Durametric and could possibly monitor the engine in real time?

Rubik

On second thought, I think even revving was sluggish now that I think of it.

Clutch was replaced last year with about 5K miles on it. No slippage.

5CHN3LL

Any chance you had some wheel slippage at the time? If you have PSM and you start to lose traction, PSM will retard the timing, and suddenly you'll be making half the power you were a moment prior.

Rubik

Nope. Solid ground. New ties Michelin PSSs all around. PSM wasn't tripping either.

Rubik

I don't have Durametric... although I keep thinking about eventually getting it.

alpine003

Sounds like a fuel issue to me.

Maybe just some bad sediments in the gas, temporarily impeding the flow in some way? I don't think your fuel pump would be intermittent since you said the last one happened several months ago.

Coils would trigger CEL and produce rough running. Fuel issues usually feel like power loss and lack of willingness to rev.

Too bad it's not happening on a consistent basis as it would be harder to track down. If you're on the original fuel filter, they are fairly inexpensive and on the easy side to swap out. I guess you could always try that first before contemplating more labor intensive/expensive alternatives.

Rubik

Yeah, that was my first thought.

Rubik

Has anyone of you ever used one of those fuel system cleaners? Do you recommend them or are they ill-advised?

I've used it once with a different car but I didn't see any noticeable difference.

Gonzo911

I vote for bad gas too. It's always bad gas...or mice.