Hesitation, stuttering when accelerating...

[grendels_arm]

yes another problem since the head gasket was replace by dealer. I get a stuttering or hesitation between 1k and 3K when accelerating. Over that so far it's ok. It feels sorta like what happened about 25K miles ago when my spark plug wires and spark plugs needed to be replaced. I checked the wires and they are on tight. I was looking in the Chilton and haynes manuals and they mention these as culprits as well as vacuum hoses, fuel filter, etc. Can't believe yet another problem. So mad.

 

[nelapse]

Before jumping to conclusions try the easy stuff first, a good rule of thumb.
Do you have an aftermarket intake? If so check the hose coming from your valve cover to your intake. No it is not required but if that opening to your intake is constantly open those symptoms will occur. Especially when in idle. Then yes try and look at your fuel filter but I doubt that coffee can is clogged. Also Check your plug gaps and wires. Clean the connector on your Throttle position sensor. Check your air filter and lets us know how that works.

 

[grendels_arm]

78K miles on car now. My car is bone stock. I'll check resistance on wires and check plug gap this weekend. Air filter was replaced 18K miles ago. Don't live in dusty climate and recommended replacement is every 30K miles. Last time I replaced it was hardly dirty. Not sure when fuel filter was ever replaced. Seems too much of a coincidence that it would be a problem now.

Spark plugs and wires were replaced at like 53K I think. Somewhere around there. Looks like plugs should be replaced every 20K according to manual and wires every 50K.