Car sputters and runs like crap until I gun it a few times. Solutions?

[Centauri]

Bought the car in '11 with 165k miles. Immediately had a full tune up done; air and fuel filters, plugs and wires. Last year I did a transmission fluid exchange (gentle) and filter replacement. We're at 185k now and I'm done with any major maintenance.

I have run a host of fuel injector cleaning additives as well but in spite of all of the maintenance I have done to the car, it runs like crap more often than not when cold (cold is relative, I'm in AZ)- it feels like the transmission is slipping (which it's not) or like the engine is being strangled for either fuel or air.

Getting into high revs coming out of the first few lights alleviates the issue. It also gets me past the sputtering, which only happens in the upper low to mid range of revs.

What should I look into to get rid of these symptoms? Do I need to get one of those 'fuel injector service' treatments done somewhere?

 

[Gerle]

What make, model, year is "the car"? Mass air flow sensor broke on my car in Japan, similar symptoms.

 

[LTC8K6]

Coil(s)?

 

[Centauri]

What make, model, year is "the car"? Mass air flow sensor broke on my car in Japan, similar symptoms.

Sorry; '98 Taurus, Duratec 3.0

Coil(s)?

... 🙁

 

[LTC8K6]

Check engine light?

A coil pack causing misfires would probably trigger the light.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/index.php?act=home

Check there if you haven't yet. If they don't know, no one does.

 

[jagec]

Sounds like the solution is right in your title:

gun it a few times

😛

It sounds like you don't want to get into real money on this problem (I don't blame you), so I'd try Cleaning the MAF sensor and then send some Seafoam through a vacuum line to clean off any deposits (directions on the can, or check Youtube).

 

[phucheneh]

Transmission oil pump seizing.

...yeah, that's actually common.