Pontiac Tempest Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection at your home or office.

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Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection Service

How much does a Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Pontiac Tempest Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1987 Pontiac TempestV6-2.8LService typeEngine hesitates during acceleration InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
1968 Pontiac TempestV8-5.7LService typeEngine hesitates during acceleration InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1961 Pontiac TempestV8-6.4LService typeEngine hesitates during acceleration InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1968 Pontiac TempestL6-4.1LService typeEngine hesitates during acceleration InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
1988 Pontiac TempestL4-2.0LService typeEngine hesitates during acceleration InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
1966 Pontiac TempestV8-5.3LService typeEngine hesitates during acceleration InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1965 Pontiac TempestL6-3.8LService typeEngine hesitates during acceleration InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
1964 Pontiac TempestV8-5.3LService typeEngine hesitates during acceleration InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Pontiac Tempest Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection prices

It can be frustrating for any driver to expect certain acceleration from their vehicle only to find that the vehicle seems to be hesitant while speeding up. This hesitation could be potentially dangerous in situations like entering and exiting the highway from an off-ramp, where acceleration may be necessary to merge with traffic. A vehicle that struggles or hesitates to accelerate may be unpredictable and moments of hesitation may be coupled with equally dangerous moments of surging or unexpected acceleration. When a vehicle is hesitating during acceleration, it should be inspected by a mechanic.

How this system works:

A vehicle with a combustion (gas or diesel) engine requires an exact mixture of fuel and air to run efficiently. If this mixture is thrown off in any way, it may result in an engine running too lean (not enough air), or too rich (not enough fuel). An engine that is hesitating to accelerate is most likely dealing with a fuel/air mixture that is too lean. Engine’s that are running inefficiently will begin to show signs like hesitation which will only become worse over time. If you notice some symptoms like hesitation, you should have your vehicle inspected immediately.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Mass Airflow Sensor: The mass airflow sensor measures how much air is entering the engine and relays this information to the vehicle’s computer so that the right amount of fuel can be delivered from the fuel injectors. When a mass airflow sensor begins to fail, it will typically generate an error code or “Check Engine light.” This warning may be accompanied by hesitation while accelerating, or while driving up a hill. A vehicle with a failing mass airflow sensor may also stall soon after starting.

  • Fuel Pump: The fuel pump in most modern vehicles sits inside the fuel tank and pumps fuel up to the engine. If a fuel pump cannot provide the correct pressure, fuel may have difficulty making it to the engine. A vehicle that hesitates while accelerating or while driving up a hill may have a weak fuel pump.

  • Throttle position sensor: A throttle position sensor tells the vehicle’s computer how far the throttle is open and how hard the accelerator is being pressed. The computer is then able to adjust the fuel/air mixture going to the engine so that is stays at an appropriate level. If the throttle position sensor is not working properly, it may be sending incorrect information to the vehicle’s computer. The computer may then not provide the engine with the correct amount of air while accelerating, causing a hesitation sensation.

  • Dirty/failing fuel injectors: Fuel injectors spray fuel in a fine mist into the cylinder where it is mixed with air and ignited by a spark plug. Fuel injectors may become dirty over time and not be able to provide as much fuel to the cylinder as is needed. Dirty fuel injectors may cause the engine to run lean which will in turn, cause hesitation when accelerating.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the reason why your vehicle is hesitating while accelerating. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report outlining the nature of the hesitation and the cost of any repairs that need to be made.

How it's done:

A mechanic will first plug into your vehicle’s computer using a code reader/scanner to better identify what the exact issue is. In addition to reading trouble codes, he or she should also be able to get readings of oxygen/fuel intake to make sure those numbers are where they should be. Once the mechanic gets this information they can begin to fix any potential issues.

If the mechanic believes that the mass airflow sensor has gone bad or is failing, he or she will first examine the sensor for any superficial damage. The mechanic will also ensure that the sensor is wired correctly and that no damage has been done to the wire harness. The mechanic should then remove the mass airflow sensor and replace it with a new one if necessary.

If the mechanic believes the problem is the fuel pump, he or she will remove the fuel tank if necessary to inspect the pump. If the pump has indeed failed, the mechanic will replace it. If the fuel tank itself it beginning to show signs of age, it may be convenient to change the pump and tank at the same time.

If the mechanic suspects the throttle position sensor, he or she will test the throttle position sensor and it’s wiring to see if it is functioning properly. If it is not, the mechanic will remove the throttle positioning sensor and the wiring and replace them. In between removing the old sensor and replacing the new one, the mechanic should take the opportunity to clean the throttle body. The mechanic will then ensure the new throttle positioning sensor is working properly and transmitting the correct information to the vehicle’s computer.

If the mechanic believe the problem is dirty or failing fuel injectors, he or she will inspect the injectors to check for any signs of damage or leakage. The mechanic should also take this opportunity to replace the fuel filter if it is not a part of the fuel pump. They will then replace the injectors and test them to make sure they are functioning properly.

In all cases, the mechanic will start the vehicle to make sure that all of the new components are working properly. In the event that an issue has caused a warning light to come on, the mechanic will be able to clear the trouble code associated with the light using a reader/scanner.

How important is this service?

Sluggish acceleration can be annoying for drivers who expect more power form their car, but it can also be dangerous in certain situations. The unpredictable nature of an engine that hesitates can increase the chance of a potential accident especially when trying to merge in and out of heavy traffic. If you notice that your vehicle seems to be underpowered, especially when accelerating, you should not drive it if possible until it can be inspected by a mechanic.

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Excellent Rating

(3)

Rating Summary
3
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H

26 years of experience
828 reviews
H
26 years of experience
Pontiac Tempest L6-3.8L - Brakes, Steering and Suspension Inspection - Los Altos, California
On time. A true gentleman. Skilled with cars that date over many years. He knows older cars including many classics. Younger mechanics probably would know know a thing about a 4BBL Carburetor. One can see that he has a true love of cars & the work he does. This is only one experience so I would hope to see him back when needed.

Chris

22 years of experience
2247 reviews
Chris
22 years of experience
Pontiac Tempest V8-5.3L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Laguna Niguel, California
Chris did a great job inspecting the vehicle, I live in GA and wanted to purchase a car in CA so I needed an unbiased third party to look at it for me. My primary concern was that the car was represented accurately in the online ad (there are a lot of scams online now), which he did, we had a great conversation after the inspection which did a lot to comfort my concerns. This was a "project" car and needed to be evaluated accordingly, it was something that I had planned on doing a restoration on so I knew it needed some work. My only critique is that when the car was delivered there was a little more rust than I had expected, I wish that he had pointed that out, I accept some of the responsibility for not asking enough questions during our conversation. Overall I am extremely happy with the inspection service and would highly recommend Chris .

Alex

16 years of experience
435 reviews
Alex
16 years of experience
Pontiac Grand Prix V6-3.1L - Engine hesitates during acceleration - Dallas, Texas
myMechanic was timely and incredibly knowledgeable of my Pontiac. He confirmed every suspicion I had and would feel absolutely comfortable putting my car in his hands.

Lewis

16 years of experience
118 reviews
Lewis
16 years of experience
Pontiac Grand Prix V6-3.8L - Engine hesitates during acceleration - Dallas, Texas
Despite being unable to find the problem during inspection, Lewis walked through the steps of the check up as he went through it and kept me up with what he was doing. Would highly recommend.

Excellent Rating

(3)

Rating Summary
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3
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Number of Pontiac Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection services completed
33+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Pontiac MECHANICS
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