Hesitation when accelerating

GTROOSTER

MEMBER
1993 TOYOTA CELICA
2.2L
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
170,000 MILES

Several weeks ago I noticed my celica gt started hesitating when I would accelerate. I replaced the fuel filter and inspected the sock on the fuel pump. The hesitation continually got worse. The engine would bog down until the RPMs reached between 3500 and 4000 then the engine would take off like a scalded dog. I replaced the fuel pump to no avail. The hesitation finally got bad enough that I could not make it up an incline without plenty of speed in advance. I replaced the TPS after I finally got a check engine light and read the code. This did not help. The engine runs fine at idle or revved up but once it is under a load the power loss begins. I was going to check the fuel pressure regulator but I have not figured out where it is located yet (working on that). Also there are no other codes except the TPS code which is still showing up. I am sure it is something simple but I don't relish rebuilding the engine one part at a time trying to figure it out. Throw me some ideas about possible causes.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

The fuel pressure regulator is mounted in the fuel tank on the pump. It is a returnless type system. Can you tell me what trouble code you found?

Heres something for you to read, it will help figure this out

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-hesitates

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Monday, July 28th, 2014 AT 5:50 PM

XTUANXX

MEMBER
2 POSTS
TOYOTA CELICA

I own a 2000 Toyota Celica GTS and have 70k on it. My car sometimes hesitates or lags in the beginning when I try to step on the gas. This only happens when I haven't started the car up for a while. If I start it up a little after I have just drove it works good. This only happens for the first half a min that I turn on the car. If I start up the car and let it sit there for a while this does not happen. Also when I drive, I feel like something is holding back the car. I am thinking it is my fuel injectors or filter. I have changed my spark plugs and air filter. It feels like it helped but im not sure. Another thing is while my car is on idle, when I tap on the accelarator, the rpm drops down and then goes up a little. This happens also when I am at a stop. When I try to give it gas it dropz a little and then goes and when I am in high rpm it doesnt feel like evrything is smooth. It feelz like it is struggling to go up. Why is this?

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Saturday, April 20th, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)

FISHERMAN

MECHANIC
937 POSTS

Clogged Injectors and fuel filter can cause this.

Check engine light. On?

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Saturday, April 20th, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)

XTUANXX

MEMBER
2 POSTS

No, the check engine light is not on. I asked the toyota dealership and they said my fuel filter is in my gas tank and only way to get to it is to drop the tank. They said it probably isn't my fuel filter. I am thinking my injectors are clogged also because sometimes when I add fuel system additives, my car feels like it runs a little better. You think I should do a fuel injection cleaning?

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Saturday, April 20th, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)

FISHERMAN